New Zealand, State of Oceania; 270 530 km2, 4.9 million residents (2019).New Zealand is located in the southwest Pacific Ocean, 1,600 km southeast of Australia, and consists of the North Island (115,777 km 2 ), the South Island (151 215 km 2 ) and Stewart Island (1,746 km) as well as a number of smaller islands (together 2 542 km 2 ). New Zealand also includes the Tokelau Islands (about 10 km 2 ) and the two autonomous territories of Cook Islands and Niue Island. The capital is Wellington (215,400 residents, 2018), located on the southern North Island.
Country facts
- New Zealand / New Zealand, Aotearoa (Maori)
- Country abbreviation: NZ
- Area: 270 530 km2
- Population (2019): 4.9 million residents
- Capital: Wellington
- Main languages: English, Maori
- State: Monarchy
- Head of State: Elizabeth II (Queen)
- Head of Government: Jacinda Ardern
- Per capita GDP (2018): US $ 41,966
- GNI per capita (2018): US $ 40,820
- Currency unit: 1 New Zealand dollar = 100 cents
- Currency code: NZD
- Country number (telephony): 64
- Internet domain name: nz
- Time difference compared to Sweden: +11
- National Day: February 6 (New Zealand became British colony in 1840)
- Independence Day: November 25, 1947
Nature
- Land use: forest (27%), agricultural land (12%), other (61%)
- Highest mountain: Cook (3,764 m asl)
Population
- Population density (2019): 18 residents per km2
- Natural population growth (2019): 0.5%; birth rate 12 ‰, death rate 7 ‰
- Age structure (2019): 0-14 years (19%), 15-64 (66%), 65- (15%)
- Average life expectancy (2019): men 80 years, women 84 years
- Infant mortality (2019): 4 per 1,000 live births
- Population forecast 2050: 6 million residents
- HDI (2017): 0.917 (place 16 of 189)
- Urbanization rate (2019): 86%
- Most populous cities (2018): Auckland (1.5 million residents), Christchurch (377,200)
Business
- Industry’s contribution to GDP (2017): agriculture (6%), industry (22%), service (72%)
- Exports of goods (2017): US $ 37,350 million
- Main export products: dairy products, meat, wood products
- Main exporting countries: China, Australia, USA
- Imports (2017): US $ 39,740 million
- Main import products: oil products, machinery, means of transport
- Main importing countries: China, Australia, USA
- Railway network (2018): 4 100 km
New Zealand consists of the North Island and the South Island as well as a number of smaller islands. The east and west sides of the North Island have nice terrain, while the highlands in the middle are dominated by volcanic mountains. The South Island, which is separated from the North Island by the Cook Islands, is a highland until 3/4. The west coast has a Norwegian coast fjord coast, while on the eastern side there is coastal plain, most pronounced in the Canterbury plain. There are also fertile plains and valleys along the coasts to the north. The climate is warm-tempered and maritime.
The country, which is a member of the Commonwealth, has no written constitution but a mixture of customary law, common laws and conventions. The British monarch is the head of state and is represented by a general governor. The legislative power is exercised by a single-chamber parliament, which is elected for three years.
Business has been strongly characterized by the fact that New Zealand is an isolated country with a small domestic market. The economy has become heavily dependent on conditions in the world market. Since the mid-1980s, a number of changes have been made to provide new growth power in the economy. The state’s role has been reduced and business has been liberalized. Agriculture is still of great importance, with an important meat, dairy and wool production. In recent years, the business sector has expanded and the industry has developed – now towards a higher degree of raw material processing and greater specialization.
New Zealand Map
