New Zealand

New Zealand comprises two large islands ("North Island" and "South Island") plus the smaller Stewart Island, several minor islands, and a claim to Ross Dependency in Antarctica.

New Zealand Flag (CIA World Factbook - Public Domain)

Geography

New Zealand's total area is 268,680 square kilometers (including 659 square kilometers of enclosed water) including minor islands but excluding the Antarctic claim. The coastline is 15,134 km, and the highest point is Aoraki-Mount Cook at 3754 meters[1].

Climate

New Zealand has a temperate climate (cool temparate in the south of the South Island) with alpine areas on both islands. The west coast of the south island is particularly wet. Sunshine hours are fairly high except in the west and south of the South Island[2].

Population

The estimated resident population as at June 2008 was 4,268,600, with a median age of 35.4 for males and 37.2 for females[3].