NEW ZEALAND

New Zealand is an island country in the Southwest Pacific Ocean. It lies about 1,000 miles (1,600 kilometers) southeast of Australia, and belongs to a large island group called Polynesia.

The country consists of two main islands - the North Island and the South Island - and several dozen much smaller islands. Wellington is the capital of New Zealand, and Auckland is the largest city. The country was once part of the British Empire. Today, it is an independent member of the Common­wealth of Nations, an association of countries that replaced the empire.

New Zealand is a beautiful country of snow - capped mountains, green lowlands, beaches, and many lakes and waterfalls.

The North Island has forests, rich lowlands, citrus orchard, and undeveloped hill country. Long, sandy beaches line the west coast, and many inlets mark the east coast. Much of the island consists of volcanic rock. Active volcanoes include Mount Ngauruhoe, Mount Tongariro, and the highest peak on the is­ land, 9,175 - foot (2,797 - meter) Mount Ruapehu. This region also has many hot springs and geysers. A mountain system runs through the region from East Cape to Cook Strait. Lowlands along the east coast are used for growing vegetables and fruits.

The South Island has the Southern Alps. The highest peak in New Zealand, 12,349 - foot (3,764 - meter) Mount Cook, rises in the Southern Alps. The Canterbury Plains lie along the east - central coast of the South Island. They form New Zealand's largest area of flat land, where barley, oats, and wheat are grown Lakes, rivers, and waterfalls are found throughout New- Zealand. The largest lake, Lake Taupo on the North Island, is a vacation area famous for trout fishing.

Most of the rivers flow very fast and are difficult to navigate. The Waikato River on the North Island is New Zealand's longest river. The country has hundreds of waterfalls. Sutherland Falls tumbles 1,904 feet (580 meters) down a mountain near Milford Sound on the South Island.

Although New Zealand overall has a mild, rainy climate, the climate differs in various parts of the country. On the North Island, the northern tip of the Northland Peninsula is warm and humid all year. But the island's central plateau has hot, sunny weather in summer and sharp frosts in winter.

On the South Island, the rainy west contrasts with the drier east. Southern New Zealand is cooler than northern New Zealand.

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