New Zealand: Kiwi Country with Picturesque Natural Beauty

The Maoris first inhabited New Zealand in 1000 AD. In 1642 Abel Tasman, a Dutch navigator discovered New Zealand, hence the name Tasmania stuck. British captain James Cook made three voyages to this islands beginning in 1769. Finally in 1840 British colonialised it. The Treaty of Waitangi in 1840 compelled the Maoris to recognize British rule and completely surrender to British dominance. A series of land wars between 1843 and 1872 ended with the defeat of the native peoples. Finally, in 1907 New Zealand became an independent nation.

New Zealand Profile: Overview of Facts and Figures

· National Name: New Zealand
· Capital: Wellington
· Total area: 270,534 sq km (104,454 sq miles)
· Population: 4.2 million (UN, 2008)
· Currency: New Zealand Dollar
· Languages: English (official), Maori (official), Sign Language (official)
· Ethnicity/ Races: European 69.8%, Maori 7.9%, Asian 5.7%, Pacific islander 4.4%, other 0.5%, mixed 7.8%, unspecified 3.8% (2001 census)
· Religion: Anglican 14.9%, Roman Catholic 12.4%, Presbyterian 10.9%, Methodist 2.9%, Pentecostal 1.7%, Baptist 1.3%, other Christian 9.4%, other 3.3%, unspecified 17.2%, none 26% (2001 census)
· GDP (Per Capita): $28,500 (2008 est.)
· Life Expectancy: Male: 78.33 years, Female: 82.25 years (2008 est.)
· Literacy Rate: Male: 99%, Female: 99% (2003 est.)

Geographical Information on New Zealand:
New Zealand is located in the southeast of Australia and consists of two main islands along with a number of smaller islands that are scattered from the tropical to the Antarctic. The North Island and the South Island are the two main Islands of New Zealand and they are separated by the Cook Strait.
The climate throughout the country is mild and temperate, mainly maritime, with temperatures rarely fall below 0 °C or rising above 30°C in populated areas.

Culture, Cuisine and Tradition of New Zealand:
The culture of New Zealand is very unique and dynamic. The impact of the indigenous Maori culture can be seen in the language, arts, practices and followings of the New Zealanders. Māori culture is a rich and varied one, which includes traditional and contemporary arts. Traditional arts of Māori are carving, weaving, kapa haka etc. The historical saga of Māori culture has been passed to succeeding generations through the oral medium.
The cuisine of New Zealand is inspired from the cooking pattern of Europe, Asia and Polynesia. The basic components of New Zealand cusiine are lamb, pork and cervena (venison), salmon, crayfish (lobster), Bluff oysters, paua (abalone), mussels, scallops, pipis and tuatua (both are types of New Zealand shellfish), kumara (sweet potato) and kiwifruit.

Tourist Attractions of New Zealand:
New Zealand blessed with number of tourists destination that ranges from unmatched golden-sand beaches, preserved marine parks, active volcanoes, pristine snow-capped Alps famous for skiing and trekking.
Auckland: Auckland is the business hub of New Zealand situated at the edge of the sea. It is known for its natural landscapes towering skyscrapers - Sky Tower, Kelly Tarlton's and the Auckland War Memorial Museum are all worth visiting.
Bay Islands: The natural beauty of the Bay islands is mesmerizing. It is famous for its aquatic playground and a cluster of 144 beautiful islands and a myriad of secluded beaches.

Major Sight-seeing Places in New Zealand include:

· Rotura
· Queen stone
· Milford Sound
· Christchurch & Akaroa
· Mount Cook

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