Located in the South Pacific Ocean, New Zealand sits some 2000 km southeast of Australia, with Fiji, Tonga and New Caledonia all lying to its north. Comprising of two large islands namely the North Island and the South Island and numerous other smaller islands, notably Stewart Island, Campbell Islands and Chatham Islands, New Zealand is also known by the Maori name of Aotearoa, which when translated means The Land of the Long White Cloud.

With a total land area of 268,680 sq km, New Zealand is a fairly large country with extensive marine resources and a coastline of more than 15,134 km. An interesting fact to note about New Zealand is its varied and diverse landscape. From beautiful beaches to geysers, active volcanoes, mountain ranges and glaciers, this country has it all. In fact it would be fair to say that New Zealand’s distinct topography has played a big role in helping this country become one of the most visited and beautiful countries in the world today.

While New Zealand’s North Island is noted for its thermal hot springs, lovely beaches, geysers, active volcanoes and snow clad peaks, the South Island is more mountainous and is divided lengthwise by the Southern Alps. The South Island is also home to many breathtaking fiords, glaciers, gorgeous lakes, forests and rolling green hillsides. It is the larger of New Zealand’s two islands, with the highest mountain in the country located here, Mount Cook (Aoraki), which stands 12,316 feet high. On the North Island, Mount Ruapehu is the highest peak at 9,176 feet and is an active volcano. New Zealand is also home to the Taupo Volcanic Zone, which in turn is part of the Pacific Ring of Fire.

Part of Zealandia, a continent that is 93% underwater, New Zealand is situated on top of where the Pacific and Australian tectonic plates divide. This is what has made New Zealand so volcanic, with mild earthquakes occurring here on a regular basis. Another phenomenon that also occurs in New Zealand due to this is geysers, which can be seen in places like Rotorua.

A great way to enjoy New Zealand’s amazing landscapes is to watch movies like The Lord of the Rings trilogy, The Last Samurai, Whale Rider and The Piano, which have all been filmed in the country and capture many stunning locations such as Karekare Beach, Mount Ngauruhoe, and Mount Cook.