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New Zealand |
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| New Zealand |
Comprising two large and a number of smaller islands, New Zealand is a country in Polynesia. Also known to some as the ‘Realm of New Zealand’, the country is engulfed by the azure waters of Pacific. The scenic location of New Zealand makes it one of the most popular tourist destinations in the area. The territory of New Zealand is the cradle of the indigenous and distinct culture which is now known as Maori. According to the native population New Zealand is Aotearoa, or ‘the Land of the Long White Cloud’.
History of New Zealand
The earliest human settlers in New Zealand were Eastern Polynesians who probably came down between 800 AD and 1300 AD in a series of migrations. The first arrival of Europeans took place with the arrival of the Dutch explorer Abel Janszoon Tasman and his crew in 1642. Though the voyage did not yield proper results, it paved the way for a number of further expeditions. The first successful voyage to the country was that of British explorer James Cook during 1768-71. The voyage ushered in European and North American traders in New Zealand. As a part of the British empire, New Zealand was an active participant in several wars like Boer War, World War I and World War II beside the Suez Crisis. Under the 4th Labour government during the 1980s, the country developed as an economic power.
Geography of New Zealand
The two main islands of New Zealand are the north and South islands besides other smaller islands like Stewart Islands, Chatham Islands and Sub Antarctic Islands. Noted for its geographic isolation, the country is separated from Australia by the Tasman Sea. The closest neighbors to the north of New Zealand are New Caledonia, Fiji and Tonga. Aoraki or Mount Cook is the tallest mountain of the country. New Zealand is a part of Zealandia, a continent that is 93% submerged. The temperate climate of the country facilitates tours to New Zealand all through the year.
Economic facts about New Zealand
One of the modern, developed and prosperous economies in the world, New Zealand has a high GDP. The trade of agricultural products is the fundamental facilitator of the strong economy of the country. The tertiary sector or service industry is the largest sector in the economy of New Zealand, followed by tourism and other secondary sectors. The survival of the regressing economy of 1980s owes to the planned strategies of the Finance Minster Roger Douglas.
Demographics of New Zealand
Most of the inhabitants of the country belong to the European trade settlers. A small number of indigenous Maori along with men of Asian and Polynesian ethnicity comprise the minority part of the demographical section of New Zealand.
Authentic online information on New Zealand is offered only at travel.mapsofworld.
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