The Physical Geography of New Zealand,What is New Zealands physical geography?

The Physical Geography of New Zealand

New Zealand is known for its beautiful and diverse physical geography. The country is located in the southwestern Pacific Ocean, east of Australia and consists of two main islands. The North Island, or Te Ika a Maui, is the most populous island and is known for its stunning mountain ranges, including the Southern Alps, Tararua Ranges, and Kaimai Ranges (Ministry for the Environment, 2017). The South Island, or Te Waipounamu, is home to many of the country’s iconic landmarks, including the majestic Southern Alps, the Marlborough Sounds, and the spectacular Fiordland National Park (Ministry for the Environment, 2017). The country is home to an array of climates and landscapes, from the snow-capped peaks of the Southern Alps to the dry, desert-like conditions of Central Otago. In the north, the climate is subtropical, with temperatures rarely falling below 0°C (32°F) or rising above 30°C (86°F). In the south, the climate is more temperate and the temperature ranges from around 0°C (32°F) in winter to 15-25°C (59-77… Cont…