New Zealand

- situated on the South Hemisphere between the Pacific Ocean and Indian Ocean
- on west there is the Tasmanian Sea (It’s between Australia and New Zealand)
- it consists of two islands – North and South Island, between them is the Cook’s Channel
- both islands are mostly hilly and mountainous
- highest mountains are on South Island – Southern Alps, highest peak is Mt. Cook
- there are fertile plains on the east coast
- there are some volcanoes on the North Island and Icebergs on the South Island
- there are two largest rivers (The Wailato), both on North Island
- the largest lake is Taubo
- very pleasant climate – a lot of sunshine and rain, summers are warm, winters are mild
- there live some special animals – some kinds of lizards and reptiles
- the capital is Welington
- the currency is New Zealand Dollar
- national economy is sheep breeding
    - there are more sheep than men
    - export wool, mutton and lamb
History
    - First inhabitants were the Maoris, came from Polynesia
    - First European was Abel Tasman, Maoris refused him to land
    - Captain James Cook explored the country
    - It became a British colony and now it’s a British dominion
- the real head of state is the Prime Minister, formal head of state is the British Queen