Country of the Week: New Zealand!
- Carmen Gomensoro
- Jun 25, 2021
- 2 min read
New Zealand, in Māori language “Aotearoa”, is a country in the Southwest Pacific Ocean which consists of two main islands --the North Island and South Island-- and another 700 islands. Its capital is Wellington, located in the North Island’s southernmost point, and overall, the nation’s population was 4.9 million people in 2019 and is said to have reached 5 million. Check out the following facts about this amazing country:
About a third of New Zealand is a national reserve. The people of New Zealand care for their environment, that is why they place great importance on protecting it. The place is home to Mount Cook, their highest mountain, spectacular fiords such as Milford Sound, volcanoes like Tongariro, and the breathtaking Coromandel Peninsula with its crystal waters, lush green trees, and high cliffs that guard the beach.
In New Zealand, there are three official languages. These are English, New Zealand Sign Language, and Maori. The last is the language of a group of indigenous Polynesian people named the Maori, which was made official in 1987. It was classified as endangered, but since 2000, the government and the tribe have been working together to strengthen its use.
The Maori were the first people to inhabit New Zealand, they arrived between 1320 and 1350 from Hawaiki, their mythical homeland which is presumed to be the actual Tahiti. This makes New Zealand the last country in the world to be inhabited by humans. In December 1642, the European navigator and explorer Abel Tasman arrived at the South Island, battled with a group of Maori, explored it northward, and left on January 4th, 1643. The Maori started to die when “whalers, sealers, and other Europeans seeking profit” (Encyclopaedia Britannica, 2020) started to bring disease. About 16.5% of the population is Maori, and their culture and practices are kept alive to this day.
For the Lord of the Rings fans, were you aware that the iconic mystical trilogy was filmed in majestical New Zealand? You can visit the movie’s set by embarking on a one-day trip to this magical little world --literally-- and explore the Hobbiton villa, Waitomo Caves and drink in Green Dragon Inn, immersing yourself in the saga.
Bibliography
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