Isolated by vast southern seas, New Zealand
is a land of awesome scenic beauty a spectacular coastline
indented by tree rimmed bays and inlets; magnificent glacial
mountains upthrust above fiords, lakes, and streams; volcanoes
towering above and desert and subtropical forest. Its remote
location has shaped its self sufficient people.
Along with Australia, New Zealand is one of only two South
Pacific countries peopled predominantly by immigrants of
European origin. Coupled with its British heritage is New
Zealand's Maori culture, which adds an underlying Polynesian
graciousness to the country.
New Zealand is a young country with frontier vitality; the first
British colonists arrived less than 150 years ago. Natural
barriers rugged mountain ranges and dense bush confined early
settlement largely to the coast, and today most major cities
border the sea. Much of the land is sparsely populated and used
mainly for farming and grazing. Meat, wool, and dairy products
are the country's principal exports. Outside the population
centers is the real New Zealand, a land of clearly defined
districts, each with a distinct character, molded by its
landscape and its settlers.
New Zealand’s interesting natural landscapes draw many tourists
from around the world and make travel and tourism a source of
income for the country.
On South Island, the spectacular glaciated Southern Alps rise
from the Tasman Sea and dominate the island. These mountains
have often been described as one of the world’s most spectacular
mountain ranges.
