New Zealand Map and Information, Map of New Zealand, Facts, Figures and Geography of New Zealand -Worldatlas.com

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Recently in the public eye as the film site for the Lord of the Rings trilogy, the impressive and stunning islands of New Zealand were originally settled by the wandering Polynesian Maori.

Then, in 1642, the coastline of South Island was sighted by the Dutch East India Company explorer Abel Tasman. There were brief encounters with the Maori as his crew tried to come ashore, but the Captain never set foot on land.

News of these beautiful and fertile islands began to spread across the globe. The initial 18th century settlers were mostly farmers and whalers from Australia, and many brave souls that journeyed all the way from Britain.

As the Dutch began to lose their supremacy at sea, New Zealand was subsequently claimed by Britain in 1840. It proudly became a self-governing (independent) Dominion in 1907.

Comprised of two major islands (North and South), Stewart Island, Chatham Island and numerous smaller specs of land, New Zealand is a very mountainous country with some large coastal plains.

In this rugged home of fjords, glaciers, rain forests, geysers, unspoiled beaches and more, it's obvious why tourism is the largest growth industry.

Find additional info about New Zealand here.

Facts and Figures

Official Name The Dominion of New Zealand

Population 4,076,000 (2006 estimate)

Capital City Wellington (169,000)

Flag here

Languages English (official), Maori (official)

Official Currency New Zealand Dollar

Currency Converter here

Religions Anglican, Presbyterian, Catholic, others

Land Area 268,670 sq km (103,733 sq miles)

Latitude/Longitude 41º 00S, 174º 00E

Highest Point Mt. Cook, 12,315 ft. (3,764 m)

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Maps

New Zealand Large Color Map here

New Zealand Map CIA version here

New Zealand Outline Map here

New Zealand Maps at UT here

New Zealand Relief Map here

Oceania Maps here

Suggested Links

New Zealand (Complete) information on the (GDP) overall economy, imports and exports, resources, government, population, military, transportation, and more here

Auckland Tourism here

New Zealand Government here

New Zealand Herald (newspaper) here

New Zealand Photos here

New Zealand Tourism here

New Zealand Travel here

Air New Zealand here

Ski New Zealand here

Climate varies widely from north to south, so follow the links below for current conditions and forecasts.

Note that New Zealand seasons are just the opposite of those in the Northern Hemisphere, as Spring is (Sept-Nov), Summer is (Dec-Feb), Fall is (Mar-May) and Winter is (Jun-Aug).