New Zealand is located in the Pacific Ocean, more precisely inits southwestern part. The main territory of the state consists of two islands. The north and south islands of New Zealand are separated by the Cook Strait. In addition to them, the country owns about 700 smaller islands, which are mostly uninhabited.
History
The first European to visit the New South IslandZeeland, became a navigator from Holland Abel Tasman. In 1642, he landed in the bay of Golden Bay. His visit cannot be called successful: the people of Tasman were attacked by Maori (indigenous people), who decided that the aliens were trying to rob their plantations.
Europeans who arrived on the New South IslandZealand in the second half of the XVIII century, were in the thick of the wars of the Maori tribes. The indigenous population attempted attacks on Europeans, but suffered serious losses. The British offered to the tribes barter trade, as a result of which Maori was paid for their rifles with potatoes and pigs.
Capture the South Island and tried to France, creatingthe colony of Akaroa. Today it is a town where street names are still written in French. The same attempt was made by a private English company in 1840. As a result, the British authorities declared the island property of the British crown.
Over time, the Europeans began to makemost of the population. The gold rush that began in the sixties of the 19th century turned the indigenous population into a national minority and greatly enriched the South Island, while the North one was shaken by the bloody land wars between the Maori and the British. According to the Westminster Statute, in 1931, the North and South Islands gained independence.
South Island: description
Площадь острова составляет 150 437 км².It is the twelfth largest island in the world. A chain of the Southern Alps stretches along its western coast. Here is the highest point of the country - Mount Cook (3754 m). Eighteen mountain peaks of the island exceed three thousand meters in height.
There are 360 glaciers in the mountains.The largest of them are the summits of Franz Joseph, Fox, Tasman. During the Pleistocene period, the glaciers descended into the Canterbury Plain (east coast) and occupied most of the current province of Otago. These areas are characterized by U-shaped valleys, dissected relief and very cold lakes having an elongated shape: Manapouri, Wacatipu, Javea and Te Anau. One of the highest waterfalls in New Zealand is Sutherland (580 m).
Almost a third more than the North South Island.South Island (New Zealand) is inhabited only by the fifth part of all inhabitants of the country. Mostly settled eastern - the most flat of his half. Here the local population grows wheat and breeds sheep. In addition, fishing is well developed on the coast; grouper and sole are considered the main commercial fish.
Fovo Strait
This is the place where crabs are caught.The strait is considered the oyster area of New Zealand. In the fall, oyster bluffs are collected here, which have an unusual and memorable taste. They received their name from the southern port of the country, which was founded on the site of the early settlement of the majori.
Christchurch
The largest city of the island was founded back in1848 as an Anglican colony. The status of the city received the first in the country in 1856. Christchurch is located on the Canterbury Plain - it is the main agricultural and livestock area of the country.
Climatic conditions
The climate of the South Island is oceanic.In the mountainous regions - a rather severe alpine. Glaciers and snow here do not melt even in summer. Western air currents are characterized by South Island (New Zealand). The weather here is quite changeable even during the day.
The average temperature in January is from +10 to +17 ° C,in July - from +4 to +9 ° C, in the mountains = negative thermometer values. During the year, from 500 to 1000 mm of precipitation falls on the east coast, from 2000 mm in the north-west, and up to 5,000 mm in the western slopes of the Southern Alps. The average air humidity is 75%.
Earthquakes
The South Island of New Zealand is seismically dangerous.In recent years, there have been three catastrophic earthquakes. One of them happened in Canterbury in 2010 (magnitude 7.1), it was caused by shifts in the crust of the Pacific plate. As a result, more than a hundred people were injured, more than half of the buildings in Christchurch and its surroundings were damaged and damaged.
A year later (2011) another happened in Canterbury6.3 magnitude earthquake. It was a continuation of the previous one. However, its consequences were harder: 185 people died, most of the buildings were destroyed.
In November 2016, another devastating earthquake occurred northeast of Christchurch. It was triggered by a tsunami.
New Zealand, South Island: attractions
On this largest island of the country there isMany interesting historical and natural attractions that attract tourists from all over the world. Fans of architectural monuments are encouraged to visit the city of Dunedin, which is considered the Scottish city of the country, in addition, it is often called the New Zealand Edinburgh. It was founded, as you can guess, by immigrants from Scotland. For him was chosen a place long-damped volcano. The city has a unique landscape with many sloping streets and magnificent Gothic buildings.
In another major settlement of the island -Kreichester can appreciate the magnificence of ancient buildings in the Gothic style and modern buildings, made in high-tech style. Here there are natural attractions - a huge Botanical Garden, which covers an area of 30 hectares. It affects the abundance of amazing vegetation, including exotic.
From the architectural attractions of the islandThe Pelorus Bridge should be mentioned, connecting the banks of the river of the same name, which carries its waters through a nature reserve with dense beech forests in which the fern grows.
Interesting Facts
- Гора Кука в 1851 году была названа исследователем New Zealand captain John Stoker in honor of the famous traveler James Cook, who visited the island in 1769, put on the map almost the entire coastline, but the mountain, which is named after him, he did not see.
- Norvest Arc is a special weather phenomenon thatIt is called the “Canterbury Arch” because it occurs only on this plain. It is an arc formed by a white cloud in a blue sky. The phenomenon causes a warm and very strong northwest wind, better known as the noorester.
- In the center of the island on the walls of the caves discovered more500 charcoal pattern. Presumably they are made by the ancient Maori. Interestingly, the Europeans who arrived on the island claimed that the locals at that time did not know anything about the people who left drawings of people, animals and some fantastic creatures.
- In Dunedin, there is Larnac Castle.He is the only one in the country. The castle was built by a local financier and politician William Larnac for his first wife. The construction used English tiles, Venetian glass, Italian marble, precious trees of Rome and Kauri. Today, the castle and the surrounding garden have been restored and restored.
How to move to live on the island?
Great nature, perfectly clean air,a developed and stable economy, social security and a high standard of living are just a few of the reasons that attract tourists to South Island (New Zealand). Everyone wants to move here. However, to visit this island kingdom is not so easy. Emigration implies strict compliance with a number of conditions and requirements of the kingdom.
Getting ready to move to the South Island of New Zealandfor permanent residence, do not trust companies that offer to circumvent the law. In this case, you risk losing money and time. Moving to New Zealand can be done by legal means:
- By quota for young professionals.
- Through popular specialties.
- For education.
- By investing in the country's economy.
- For family reunification (including spouses).
- Upon receipt of refugee status.
More information about the required documents can be obtained from the embassy of New Zealand in Russia.
Reviews of tourists
Несмотря на большое расстояние, разделяющее Russia and the South Island (New Zealand), reviews of travelers who have visited this country, are quite numerous. According to tourists, everything will be interesting for young people here: starting with cycling and ending with excursions on yachts and boats. At night, you can attend nightclubs, during the day - go fishing, play golf, have a picnic on the ocean.
Satisfied with the rest here and tourists comingfamilies. There is something to see and adults and children. Older people can have a good time here: for them it’s just a paradise: calm, fresh air, beautiful views, interesting excursions. True, long-haul flight is not always shown for health reasons.
