New Zealanders consider their country to be blessed, and the older they get, the more they thank Lady Luck that they were lucky enough to be born here. New Zealand is gaining more and more popularity year after year in the lists of coveted countries for travelers, and you won’t meet anyone who has been here and not fallen in love with these places.
Rocky coasts, wide beaches, dense forests, snow-capped mountains, impressive geysers and volcanoes… New Zealand’s landscapes are majestic and indescribably beautiful. The forests here are home to strange rare birds, the coasts are home to penguins and seals, and the coastal waters are teeming with whales, sharks and other no less interesting wildlife. The indigenous Maori tribes, who settled on the islands 800 years ago, have created a unique culture with customs and traditions that can still be found in remote villages. Maori culture is also present in New Zealand cities, but here it is also enriched by European, Asian and other cultures, which gives city life a special flavor.
New Zealand is located in the southwestern part of the Pacific Ocean on two main islands and several hundred small islands. Its closest neighbors are Australia (to the west, across the Tasman Sea), and New Caledonia, Tonga, and Fiji (to the north). The western part of the country is washed by the Tasman Sea, the other parts by the Pacific Ocean.
The two main islands, North and South, are separated by the Cook Strait. The South Island is New Zealand’s largest island. It is divided along its entire length by the Southern Alps, where there are 18 peaks over 3,000 meters high, including the highest point in the country, Mount Cook (Aoraki). The southwest coast, with its high mountain ranges and extensive glaciers, is riddled with fjords.
The northern island is less mountainous, but it is a particularly active volcanic zone. It is also home to the country’s largest lake, Taupo, sheltered in the basin of a huge volcano of the same name.
Other major islands include Stewart, Antipodes Islands, Auckland, Bounty and Campbell Islands.
The population of New Zealand is about 4.5 million people. The capital is Wellington (located on the North Island).
Given the stunning landscapes and limitless entertainment options, vacations in New Zealand can range from walks on wild windswept beaches and multi-day hikes on mountain trails to adrenaline-charged adventures such as bungee jumping, extreme skiing, sea kayaking or rafting. Some travelers see New Zealand as a huge playground for a large-scale quest, where you have to complete as many tasks as possible in the allotted vacation time. The choice of territory is up to you, as it is impossible to travel the country and see everything it has to offer in a few days. Most likely, you will want to come back to complete this exciting “challenge” to the end.