New Zealand is an island country in the south-western Pacific Ocean comprising two main landmasses (commonly called the North Island and the South Island), and numerous smaller islands, most notably Stewart Island/Rakiura and the Chatham Islands. The indigenous Māori language name for New Zealand is Aotearoa, commonly translated as The Land of the Long White Cloud. The Realm of New Zealand also includes the Cook Islands and Niue (self-governing but in free association); Tokelau; and the Ross Dependency (New Zealand's territorial claim in Antarctica). New Zealand is notable for its geographic isolation: it is situated about 2,000 km (1250 miles) southeast of Australia across the Tasman Sea, and its closest neighbours to the north are New Caledonia, Fiji and Tonga. During its long isolation New Zealand developed a distinctive fauna dominated by birds, a number of which became extinct after the arrival of humans and the mammals they introduced. The majority of New Zealand's population is of European descent; the indigenous Māori are the largest minority. Asians and non-Māori Polynesians are also significant minority groups, especially in urban areas. The most commonly spoken language is English. (via Wikipedia)
Capital:
Wellington
Language:
English (98%)
NZ Sign Language (0.6%)
Māori (4.2%)
Largest City:
Auckland
As Of:
Jan 1, 2009
GDP (nominal):
$128.409 billion
Time Zone:
NZST
Area:
103,483
GDP (per capita PPP) Rank:
60
34
GDP (nominal per capita):
$30,030
GDP (nominal) Rank:
54
GDP (nominal per capita) Rank:
28
As of:
Jan 1, 2008
Ethnic groups:
14.6% Māori
78% European/Other
9.2% Asian
6.9% Pacific peoples
Government type:
Parliamentary democracy and Constitutional monarchy
As of:
Jan 1, 2008
ccTLD:
.nz
Anthem:
"God Defend New Zealand"
"God Save the Queen"
Currency (code):
NZD
Conventional Long Name:
Aotearoa
New Zealand
Latitude:
S
Demonym:
New Zealander
Kiwi (colloquial)
Currency:
New Zealand dollar
Country Calling Code:
+64
Longitude:
E
Name:
New Zealand
Latitude (Minutes):
17
Longitude (Minutes):
27
Latitude (Degrees):
41
Drives On:
left
As of:
Jan 1, 1997
HDI Rank:
20th
GDP (per capita PPP):
$115.809 billion
HDI:
0.950
Longitude (Degrees):
174
Gini:
36.2
Census Date:
Jan 1, 2006
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