New Zealand ... Green Islands, on whose hills, key episodes of The Lord of the Rings were recently shot.
General information
In the southeastern part of the Pacific regionThis green country is located. On two large and a whole placer, consisting of several hundred, small islands stretched New Zealand. The area of the country can be compared with the territories of the Japanese islands or the whole of Great Britain. The population of New Zealand is about 4.5 million people. The entire administration is located in the capital - Wellington. The system of government is a constitutional monarchy with parliamentary democracy. The uniqueness of the island state is that it is one of all developed countries that has been able to develop its economy exclusively in agriculture. Since November 2008, the country is ruled by the National Party, headed by John Key, who is the Prime Minister.
The kingdom includes independentislands that have the same currency - the New Zealand dollar. These are the Cook Islands, Niue, the territory of Tokelau, which is not self-governing, and the territory of Ross, which lies in the Antarctic zone.
Climate
New Zealand's population may be perfectquite the climate of their country. The northern part of the North Island is subject to a subtropical climate, whereas in the mountainous regions Antarctic winds can bring up to -20 degrees. The chain of high mountains divides the country in two, thereby dividing it into two climatic zones. The wettest part is the western coast of the South Island. Just a hundred kilometers from it, in the east, is the driest part of the state.
In most parts of the country, precipitation reaches 600-1600 mm annually. This amount is distributed evenly, except for the time of a dry summer.
The average annual temperature in the south is +10.degrees, in the north - +16. The coldest month in this country, located on the other side of the equator from us, is July. The average daily temperature + 4-8 gr., Night can drop to -7. The warmest months are January and February. The northern part of the country does not have a big difference in temperature over the season, while the southern areas have a difference of up to 14 degrees.
In Auckland - the largest city in the country -average annual temperature +15.1 degrees. Thus, in the hottest time, the temperature can rise to +31.1 degrees, whereas in the coldest time it can drop to -2.5. The average annual temperature of Wellington is + 12.8 (from -1.9 to +31.1 during the year).
In windproof areas of the country highamount of sundial. On average, this number is equal to 2000 hours per year. Most of the population of New Zealand receives a large amount of solar radiation.
Languages
In three languages can officially speakpopulation. New Zealand recognizes English, Maori, and New Zealand sign language. English remains the leading language spoken by 96% of the population. Magazines and newspapers use this language. They also use television and radio. The Maori language is the second most important state language. Gestures for the deaf-and-dumb received the status of an official language in 2006.
The New Zealand dialect is very close toAustralian, however, retained a strong influence of the south of England. Parallel to this, it is influenced by Irish and Scottish accents. The significant influence of the language of the indigenous people also affected - some words were forever used by the citizens of the country.
The official status of the Maori language was in 1987.Its use today is mandatory in all institutions. This language is taught in schools. Although most of the educational institutions provides an opportunity to study at the same time two - English and Maori. Many names in the country have roots in the Maori language.
In addition, the country residesRepresentatives of more than 170 language groups. The most used are Samoan, French, Chinese and Hindi. Slavic languages on the islands are almost not used, since the population of New Zealand, for which they are native, is too small in number.
Religion of New Zealand
New Zealand population pertoday is just over 4.5 million people. Among them, 56% are Christians. The next largest religions are Anglicanism, Presbyterianism, Catholicism, and Methodism. Then the Sikhists, Hindus and followers of Islam take their place. Approximately 35% of New Zealand’s population consists of undecided members of society who are not inclined to identify themselves with any of the existing religions.
Indigenous people
The indigenous people of New Zealand are Maori.Earlier, before the colonization of the islands by Europeans, representatives of this people were their main inhabitants. Today around the world there are about 680 thousand people belonging to this nation.
In addition to their native places, this tribe inhabits Australian, Canadian territories, and also lives in the USA, Great Britain and in very small numbers in other countries.
Literally translated from the native language, the word "Maori" means "normal." In ancient times, people used this concept to distinguish man from divine creation.
Представители маори были первыми, кто заселил islands. It is still not clear where these people came from, but they founded their culture, forming a state that they called Aotearoa. These people were excellent seafarers who could travel in small boats in the Pacific Ocean. In the sea, their landmarks were only the sun and the starry sky. This knowledge helped them find themselves in New Zealand much earlier than Europeans. White people were able to discover the islands only after 800 years, when they saw warriors there - fearless and independent.
Population classes
Traditionally, Maori engaged in naturalfarm. Food was obtained by hunting and mainly slash-and-burn agriculture. An important occupation for the ancient Maori was the war. Today the people occupy a significant place in forestry and agriculture. Crafts originated in ancient times, remaining to this day an important part of culture. The main activities are wood carving, weaving, weaving, jewelery making, and building boats. Maori products are distinguished from any other cultures by the absence of any mention of animals in drawings and sculptures. The main ornament of this nation is a spiral, executed in various forms. The main image is famous people or deity.
Accommodation
New Zealand's population density wasinitially very small. Maori lived in the villages. The buildings were close to each other, surrounded by a wooden fence or moat. Houses were built of logs or boards. The roof was thatched. The floor was somewhat deepened into the ground, so that the room was a little cooler in the summer and warmer in the winter. In addition to residential houses in the villages there were community houses, buildings for a variety of entertainment and to gain knowledge.
The population of New Zealand was forced to inventwarm clothes, because the climate did not allow walking in the summer all year round. People traditionally wore warm cloaks and capes. Women's clothing was complemented by long warm skirts. To insulate the fabric (most often it was flax), animal skins or bird feathers were woven into the fibers during weaving.
Основное население Новой Зеландии по традиции It was engaged in the manufacture of weapons: darts, spears, poles. Maori used the club and the original bayonet, called the taiah. For tillage mainly used digging stick. Hunters mainly used snares for catching various animals. In woodcarving the main tools were jade or jade incisors.
Traditions
The main population of New Zealand istoday is maori. In ancient times it was one of the most hardy and cruel peoples. Today, their ideas about life seem wild, but cannibalism, for example, was commonplace for them. Maori ate their captives, believing that the forces of the enemy would go to them.
Another Maori tradition is tattoos.It was a painful way to show your status. Women adorned their lips and chins, men painted their whole face. In this case, the drawing was not applied in the usual needle-like way - the tattoos were literally cut into the skin with incisors, it looked like a sculptor's work. The initiation procedures were no less cruel, a very painful test of endurance. In addition, Maori cut off the heads of enemies, then mummify them.
Maori today
Find out which population in New Zealand is verynot difficult. Today in the world is very popular combat dance of this people, which is called "hack". For Maori enshrined the exclusive right to this dance. Initially, the hack was a ritual dance, which was accompanied by support by the chorus or by words shouted with a certain periodicity. This dance was performed in order to invoke the spirits of nature, or before the battle. The government of the state granted the members of the tribe ownership of the battle cry.
Civilization has strongly influenced traditions and attitudes.Maori - today they are not bloodthirsty warriors at all. However, their culture and today is very rich and original. A very important component of Maori culture in our time are works of traditional art. Tourists visiting New Zealand, be sure to attend exhibitions of folk crafts or dance performances. It is considered obligatory to photograph representatives of local tribes and at least a little more to learn about the philosophy and history of this amazing people.
