25 interesting facts about New Zealand
Situated somewhere between Australia and Antarctica, New Zealand is often left behind when it comes to travel planning. In general, this country the size of Japan and a population of 4.5 million people is the most sparsely populated territory. And its indigenous inhabitants - the Maori - began to settle on the islands only in 1250 AD. But perhaps we are simply underestimating this country?
1. Firstly, in New Zealand the word “kiwi” never means a fruit. Kiwi refers either to a species of local flightless bird or to the islanders themselves. And by the way, calling a New Zealander a “kiwi” is not at all offensive! But that same fruit is called “kiwi fruit”.
2. New Zealand was discovered in 1642 by the Dutch sailor Abel Tasman. He left this country after several members of his team were killed by the Maori, the indigenous population of the country. Until 1769, Europeans did not visit these islands. It wasn't until 1769 that Captain James Cook arrived and put the islands on the map. By the way, until Europeans appeared on the territory of New Zealand, the indigenous Maori people did not know money, but used barter exchange.
3. Although the country boasts the most amazing topography in the world, any part of it is closer than 130 km from the ocean. However, the islands of New Zealand are only 7% of the submerged continent known as Zealand.
4. Residents of New Zealand are the first in the world to see the dawn of a new day.
5. Wellington is the capital and second largest city of New Zealand. The city has an excellent tourist infrastructure and unusual attractions. Wellington is also the southernmost capital of the world, which arouses even greater interest among tourists.
6. Obesity may be a reason for refusal to obtain a residence permit in New Zealand.
7. New Zealand ranks second in the list of the least corrupt countries in the world, second only to Denmark.
8. Baldwin Street in Dunedin is the steepest in the world - it is inclined by 38%.
9. Although the kiwi is a flightless bird, it is the logo of the New Zealand Air Force.
10. The New Zealand government actually created the position of Minister for The Lord of the Rings in order to make as much money as possible from the theme of this movie saga.
11. Queen Elizabeth II is the monarch of New Zealand. Its responsibilities include ratifying laws approved by parliament.
12. There are more vending machines in Japan than there are people in New Zealand (about 4.5 million).
13. Sir Edmund Hillary, the first person to conquer Everest, was a Kiwi (meaning a native of New Zealand, not a bird).
14. A favorite place for tourists to visit in New Zealand is Lake Taupo. It was formed as a result of a volcanic eruption approximately 27,000 years ago. This eruption is still considered the most powerful in the last 100,000 years.
15. For every person in New Zealand there are nine sheep.
16. The water in Blue Lake, which is located in Nelson Lakes National Park, is considered the clearest in the world.
17. There are no snakes on the New Zealand islands.
18. New Zealand has the most penguin species in the world.
19. Auckland is called one of the most convenient and safe cities in the world.
20. About a third of the country's land area is a protected area.
21. Tourists have noticed that kea birds that live in New Zealand often steal windshield wipers from cars and eat strips of rubber from windows.
22. Since the 1980s, New Zealand has decided to go nuclear-free, and today there are no nuclear power plants on the islands.
23. New Zealand stretches from subtropics in the north to colder regions in the south. As a result, the country has the most variable geography and climate in the world. The North Island has volcanoes, deserts and tropical beaches, while the South Island has plains, glaciers and alpine peaks.
24. It is in New Zealand that there is a small mountain with the longest (82 letters) geographical name in the world - Taumatahuakatangiangakoauauauotamateaturipukakapikimaungahoronukupokanuenuakitanatahu. This name is in the Maori language - the indigenous people of New Zealand. The translation goes something like this: “The top of the hill where Tamatea, the man with the big knees who rolled, climbed and swallowed mountains, known as the earth eater, played his flute for his beloved.”
25. Powelliphanta is a huge snail found only in New Zealand. By the way, she is carnivorous.