New Zealand … Green Islands, on whose hills recently shot the key episodes of The Lord of the Rings.
General information
In the southeastern Pacific region, this green country is located. On two large and a whole placer, consisting of several hundred, small islands spread New Zealand. The area of the country can be compared with the territories of the Japanese islands or the whole of Great Britain. The population of New Zealand is about 4.5 million people. The entire administration is located in the capital, Wellington. The system of government is a constitutional monarchy with parliamentary democracy. The uniqueness of the island state is that it is one of all developed countries that was able to develop its economy exclusively in agriculture. Since November 2008, the country has been ruled by the National Party, led by John Key, who is the prime minister.
The kingdom includes independent islands that have the same currency - the New Zealand dollar. These are Cook Islands, Niue, Tokelau territory, which is not self-governing, and Ross territory, which lies in the Antarctic zone.
Climate
The population of New Zealand can be quite the climate of their country. The northern part of the North Island is subject to a subtropical climate, while in the mountainous regions Antarctic winds can bring up to -20 degrees. A chain of high mountains divides the country in two, thereby dividing it into two climatic zones. The wettest part is the west coast of the South Island. Just a hundred kilometers from it, in the east, is the driest part of the state.
In most of the country, precipitation reaches 600-1600 mm annually. This amount is distributed evenly, except during dry summers.
The average annual temperature in the south is +10 degrees, in the north - +16. The coldest month in this country, located on the other side of the equator from us, is July. Average daytime temperature + 4-8 gr., Nighttime temperature can drop to -7. The warmest months are January and February. The northern part of the country does not have much difference in temperature over the time of the year, while the southern regions have a difference of up to 14 degrees.
In Auckland, the largest city in the country, the average annual temperature is +15.1 degrees. Thus, in the hottest time, the temperature can rise to +31.1 degrees, while in the coldest time it can drop to -2.5. The average annual temperature of Wellington is +12.8 (from -1.9 to +31.1 during the year).
In wind-protected areas of the country, the number of sundials is high. On average, this amount is 2000 hours per year. Most of the population of New Zealand receives a large amount of solar radiation.
Languages
Three languages can officially speak the population. New Zealand recognizes English, Māori, and New Zealand sign language. The leading language spoken by 96% of the population remains English. Magazines and newspapers use this language. They use television and radio. The Maori language is the second most important state language. Gestures for the deaf-mute received official language status in 2006.
The New Zealand dialect is very close to the Australian, but retained a strong influence of the south of England. Parallel to this, the influence of Irish and Scottish accents is felt in it. The significant influence of the language of the indigenous people also affected - some words were forever used by the citizens of the country.
The Maori language received official status in 1987. Its use today is mandatory in all institutions. This language is taught in schools. Although most of the educational institutions provide an opportunity to study two at the same time - English and Maori. Many names in the country have roots in the Maori language.
In addition, representatives of more than 170 language groups are constantly living in the country. Most used are Samoan, French, Chinese and Hindi. Slavic languages on the islands are almost never used, since the population of New Zealand, for which they are native, is too small in number.
Religion of New Zealand
The population of New Zealand today is just over 4.5 million. Among them, 56% are Christians. The next largest religions are Anglicanism, Presbyterianism, Catholicism and Methodism. Then the Sikhs, Hindus and followers of Islam take their place. Approximately 35% of the population of New Zealand is made up of undecided members of society who are not inclined to attribute themselves to any of the existing religions.
Indigenous people
The indigenous people of New Zealand are Maori. Earlier, before the colonization of the islands by Europeans, representatives of this people were their main inhabitants. Today, around 680 thousand people belonging to this people live all over the world.
In addition to their native places, this tribe inhabits Australian and Canadian territories, and also lives in the USA, Great Britain and in very small numbers in other countries.
In a literal translation from the mother tongue, the word "Maori" means "normal." In ancient times, people used this concept in order to distinguish a person from a divine creature.
Maori representatives were the first to populate the islands. It is still not clear exactly where these people came from, but they founded their culture by forming a state, which they called Aotearoa. These people were excellent sailors who could travel in small boats in the Pacific Ocean. At sea, their guides were only the sun and starry sky. This knowledge helped them to be in New Zealand much earlier than Europeans. White people were able to discover the islands only after 800 years, seeing warriors there - fearless and independent.
Population activities
Traditionally, Maori were engaged in subsistence farming. Food was obtained by hunting and mainly slash-and-burn agriculture. An important occupation for the ancient Māori was the war. Today, people occupy a significant place in forestry and agriculture. Crafts originated in ancient times, and remain to this day an important part of culture. The main occupations are wood carving, weaving, weaving, jewelry making, boat building. From any other culture, Maori products are distinguished by the absence of any mention of animals in drawings and sculptures. The main ornament of this people is a spiral made in various forms. The main image is famous people or a deity.
Accommodation
The population density of New Zealand was initially very low. The Maori lived in the villages. The buildings were close to each other, were surrounded by a fence made of wood or a moat. Houses were built from logs or planks. The roof was thatched. The floor was somewhat deepened into the ground, so that the room was slightly cooler in summer and warmer in winter. In addition to residential buildings in the villages, there were community houses, buildings for various entertainments and for gaining knowledge.
The population of New Zealand was forced to invent warm clothes, because the climate did not allow walking in the summer all year round. The people traditionally wore warm cloaks and capes. Women's clothing was complemented by long warm skirts. To insulate the fabric (most often it was linen), animal skins or bird feathers were woven into the fibers during weaving.
The main population of New Zealand, according to tradition, was engaged in the manufacture of weapons: darts, spears, poles. They used the Maori and the club, and the original bayonet gun, called taiakha. For cultivation, a digging stick was mainly used. Hunters mainly used snares to catch various animals. In woodcarving, the main tool was jade or jadeite cutters.
Traditions
The main population of New Zealand is today Maori. In ancient times, it was one of the most enduring and cruel peoples. Today, their ideas about life seem wild, but for them, for example, cannibalism was commonplace. The Maori ate their captives, believing that the forces of the enemy would pass to them.
Another Maori tradition is tattoos. It was a painful way to show your status. Women adorned their lips and chins; men adorned their entire face. At the same time, the drawing was not applied in the usual needle way - tattoos were literally cut into the skin with incisors, it was similar to the work of the sculptor. No less cruel was the initiation procedure - a very painful endurance test. In addition, the Maori cut off the heads of enemies, then to mummify them.
