New Zealand

New Zealand is an island country in the Southern Pacific Ocean. It is located in the Southern Hemisphere, among the South Pacific islands of Oceania, about 2,000 km southeast of Australia. It consists of two major islands (North Island and South Island) and more than 700 smaller islands. It has a total surface area of ​​268,021 square kilometers. Due to tectonic movements and volcanic events in the region, New Zealand has many high mountains. The capital of New Zealand is Wellington and its largest city is Auckland.

Because of their remoteness, the New Zealand islands were one of the last major landmasses to be settled by humans. Settled by Polynesians between 1280 and 1350, the islands began to develop a distinctive Maori culture. The first European to discover the islands was a Dutchman named Abel Tasman in 1642.

New Zealand's location in the Southern Hemisphere, or south of the equator, means that its seasons are the opposite of those in the Northern Hemisphere. The hottest months of summer are January and February, and the coldest months are June and July.

It generally has a temperate climate, with the northern parts of the country under the influence of a subtropical climate. In winter, the interior of the South Island drops to -10 degrees, while the ocean coast has a milder and rainier climate. Summers are between 20-33 degrees and are quite sunny.