Mapping the Land of the Kiwi folk

New Zealand isn't in the news very much because it is a very peaceful place with rarely any political, religious or social upheaval. People are often surprised to learn therefore that it comprises a large expanse of land almost one hundred and three thousand seven hundred and thirty eight square meters of area. It comprises of two main islands, The North Island and The South Island .The South Island is the largest body of land of New Zealand. In addition to these a number of smaller islands such as The Great Barrier Island, Chatham Islands and the Stewart Island or Rakiura Island as well as island nations that are in free association with it (the Cook island and Niue) They are located in the South Pacific Ocean and are completely independent and autonomous except for the fact that their residents are considered citizens of the country of New Zealand.

New Zealand's' territorial claim on the frozen continent Antarctica is known as The Ross Dependancy.

New Zealand is part of a mostly submerged continent called Zealandia (which is almost ninety five percent underwater).The Norfolk Rise, Challenger Plateau, Campbell Plateau is some of the regions of the continent of Zealandia.

Most of the initial geographical knowledge about New Zealand was acquired by Captain James Cook in his sea faring voyage to map New Zealand. It consists of fifty seven districts with sixteen cities and twelve non unitary areas. It is a little larger than The United Kingdom and a little smaller than Japan. It has recently been used as a location for filming many Hollywood (all three Lord of the Rinds movies and the Last Samurai) as well as Bollywood films.

It is located adjacent to Australia in the South Western Hemisphere of the earth and is surrounded by the Pacific Ocean and separated from Australia by the Tasman Sea. A sparsely populated country it has a population density of fifteen people per square kilometer of area which is less than the number of sheep per square kilometer of area!

The capital city of New Zealand is Wellington. It is the second largest urban area in Oceania, in the region of Wellington on the North Island and at the centre of the country.

Auckland is the largest metropolis of New Zealand. It is situated on the North Island of the nation and is the most populated urban area as it is the biggest. It is the city with the largest number of people of Polynesian descent. It is home to the busiest air port in the country The Auckland International Airport. Flights from all over the world make port at this air port.

New Zealand has a vast reserve of marine resources and under the law of the sea has is seventh in this respect.

New Zealand houses many natural wonders such as numerous hot springs, geysers, active and dormant volcanoes (A number of which are in Auckland), volcano cones, snowcapped mountains, fjords etc. The hill of Taumatawhakatangihangakoauauotamateapokaiwhenuakitanatahu on the North Island has the largest recorded place name in the world according to the Guinness Book of World Record!