New Zealand is a country in the southwestern Pacific Ocean consisting of 2 main islands, both marked by volcanoes and glaciation. Capital Wellington, on the North Island, is home to Te Papa Tongarewa, the expansive national museum. Wellington’s dramatic Mt. Victoria, along with the South Island’s Fiordland and Southern Lakes, stood in for mythical Middle Earth in Peter Jackson’s "Lord of the Rings" films.
Languages: English (official), Maori (official), Sign Language (official)
Ethnic Groups: European 56.8%, Asian 8%, Maori 7.4%, Pacific islander 4.6%, mixed 9.7%, other 13.5%
Belief Systems: Anglican 13.8%, Roman Catholic 12.6%, Presbyterian, Congregational, and Reformed 10%, Christian (no denomination specified) 4.6%, Methodist 3%, Pentecostal 2%, Baptist 1.4%, other Christian 3.8%, Maori Christian 1.6%, Hindu 1.6%, Buddhist 1.3%, other religions 2.2%, none 32.2%, other or unidentified 9.9%
Demographics:
Population: 4.55 million people (World Rank: 122nd) (2014 estimate)
Population Density: 44 people/mi^2 (People per Square Mile) (World Rank: 208th) (2014 estimate)
Population Growth: 1.05 %/yr (World Rank: 122nd) (2013 estimate)
Life Expectancy: 81.1 years (World Rank: 19th) (2013 estimate)
Median Age: 36.6 years (World Rank: 48th) (2010 estimate)
Sites for More Information:
Map of New Zealand
Worldatlas.com
Country Profile for New Zealand
United Nations
New Zealand
Wikipedia.org
New Zealand - Facts and Information 1
Encyclopedia.com
New Zealand - Facts and Information 2
World Factbook
Culture and Tourism:
Traveling to New Zealand 1
Travelnotes.org
Travel Guide for New Zealand
Wikitravel.org
Government Related:
Embassy of New Zealand
in Washington D.C.
Government Websites of New Zealand
by Gunnar Anzinger
