What is the terrain and geography like in New Zealand?
New Zealand has a highly varied terrain with mountain ranges and hill country dominating the landscape. A massive mountain chain, the Southern Alps, runs almost the length of the South Island. The North Island also has mountain ranges, and four volcanic peaks, including Mt. Ruapehu, which has been active (but not dangerous) since September 1995. These mountains, along with fjords, glaciers, lakes, hot springs, geysers, mudpools, and beaches, give New Zealand some of the most spectacular natural scenery on earth.
Geographic Location | Oceania |
Total Area |
103,363 Square Miles 267,710 Square Kilometers |
Land Area |
103,363 Square Miles 267,710 Square Kilometers |
Irrigated Land |
2,391 Square Miles 6,193 Square Kilometers |
Coastline |
9,404 Miles 15,134 Kilometers |
Geographic Coordinates | 41 00 S, 174 00 E |
Terrain | predominately mountainous with some large coastal plains |
Highest Point | 3,754 Meters |
Highest Point Location | Aoraki-Mount Cook 3,754 m |
Lowest Point Location | Pacific Ocean 0 m |
Natural Resources | natural gas, iron ore, sand, coal, timber, hydropower, gold, limestone |
Time Zone |
UTC+12 (17 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time) time zone note: New Zealand has two time zones: New Zealand standard time (UTC+12) and Chatham Islands time (45 minutes in advance of New Zealand standard time; UTC+12:45) |
Daylight saving time | +1hr, begins last Sunday in September; ends first Sunday in April |