Official Name: New Zealand (English); Aotearoa (Maori)

Area: Australia & Oceania

Size: 268,680 km²

Coastline: 15,134 km

Independence: From the UK September 26, 1907

Form of Govt.: Constitutional monarchy

Head of Govt.: Prime Minister

Capital: Wellington

Largest City: Auckland

Demographics (2005): 4,182,000.    15 /km²

European, Māori, Pacific Peoples

GDP per Capita (2005): $24,797

Languages: English, Māori

Geography: predominately mountainous with some large coastal plains. The Whanganui River is New Zealand's longest navigable waterway. Mount Cook and Fiordland National Park are part of South Island. The Southern Alps extend about 500 km. Te Anau (344 km²) is the largest lake. The central volcanic plateau and Mount Taranaki (Mount Egmont) are situated in North Island. Whakaari or White Island is the peak of a submerged volcano in the Bay of Plenty. Lake Taupo (606 km²) is the largest lake.

Climate: New Zealand has a temperate climate dominated by the east moving anti cyclones that bring clear skies or fog while weather conditions are highly changeable throughout the year. All months are moderately wet while the high mountains carry snow throughout the year. Average annual precipitation varies between 600 and 1,500 mm. Average temperature ranges in Wellington are from 6 to 12 degrees in July to 13 to 21 degrees in January.