NEW ZEALAND: "THE LAND OF THE LONG WHITE CLOUD"

New Zealand, the furthest country on Earth

Were you one of those people who were captivated by the stunning landscapes that appeared in The Lord of The Rings trilogy? Have you ever dreamt of going away and getting lost at the furthest possible place on Earth? If your answer to these two questions is yes, you are quite likely to fancy this post on New Zealand, the island called by Maori natives Aotearoa ("The Land of The Long White Cloud").

New Zealand has some of the most breathtaking landscapes on Earth

Our antipodes is an island country in the southwestern Pacific Ocean comprising two main islands (the North  and South islands) and numerous smaller islands.




Auckland is the biggest city

Only four million and a half people live in New Zealand, its population being formed by 78% European descendants and 14% the indigenous Maori. Due to its remoteness, it was one of the last lands on Earth to be settled by humans. In 1840 the British and the Maori signed a treaty making New Zealand a colony of the British Empire.

The indigenous Maori preserve many of their customs

Although the executive power is exercised by a Cabinet, led by a Prime Minister, Queen Elizabeth II is still the Head of State and is represented by a Governor-General. That´s why the New Zealand flag contains the British Union Jack.

New Zealand flag comprises the British Union Jack and four
red stars representing the Southern Cross

CURIOSITIES ABOUT NEW ZEALAND

-New Zealanders are also known worldwide as "kiwi". In Spain we think that kiwi is a kind of fruit, but it is really a native flightless bird. The fruit is called "kiwifruit".

Kiwi are fligthless birds endemic to New Zealand

-New Zealand was the first major nation to have universal suffrage. As far in time as 1893, it became legal for all male and female citizens of the country to vote.


-New Zealand has a strong position on the international trade in sheep meat. There are presently around 9 sheep to every 1 human in the whole country.

There are far more sheep than people in New Zealand

-Wellington, the capital city, is the southernmost capital city in the world. In spite of not being the capital city, Auckland is by far the most populated city in the country (1. 400.000 inhabitants).

Wellington is the southernmost capital city in the world.

-The two most famous New Zealanders of all time may have been Nobel Prize winner Edward Rutherford, known as the father of nuclear physics, and Sir Edmund Hillary, the first man to reach the peak of Mount Everest. Other important "Kiwi" have been writer Katherine Mansfield and film director Peter Jackson.

Sir Edmund Hillary, the first man to reach the peak of Mount Everest
is perhaps the most famous New Zealander

-Rugby is the national sport. The "All Blacks", as the national rugby team is called, have won two Rugby World Cups (1987 and 2011) and are perhaps the most popular rugby team in the world. You have probably seen videos of them performing the "Haka", a traditional Maori dance, before their matches.

The "All Blacks" are the Rugby World Champions.





This is a video showing the things you can find in this astonishing country

New Zealand was the setting for the Middle Earth

of The Lord of The Rings trilogy. Here you can see some

of the places where the film was shot.