Know the Geography, the Geology, the Climate and the Weather of the Eclectic New Zealand

Geography & Geology

The best part about New Zealand is the amazing landscapes that are always at a very near by reach. The New Zealand Geography is eclectic and has a plethora of different forms of nature ranging from astounding glaciers to pleasant fiords and scabrous mountains to vast plains. From rolling hillsides to subtropical forest and it even has volcanic plateau and miles of coastline with gorgeous sandy beaches.

New Zealand is located in the South West Pacific, it consists of the North Island and the South Island. There are a couple of more islands like the Stewart islands which are located offshore.

The North island of New Zealand has a range of mountains running through the middle, hence also called the spine, surrounded by farmlands on both sides. North island New Zealand also has active Volcanic Plateau, making the area an active thermal area.

The South Island of New Zealand has the massive southern Alps. To the east of the Southern Alps likes the farmlands of Otago and Southland flat Canterbury Plains.

Know more about this geography

The rocks in New Zealand date back to 500 million years ago, and it said that they were once upon a time the part of the Gondwanaland. When this continent started to split up, New Zealand was created about 85 million years ago.

A very important geographical fact about New Zealand is that it sits on two tectonic plates- the Pacific and the Australian. The North Island and also some parts of the South Island sit on the Australian plate, while the rest of the south is on Pacific.

Because of the constant movement of these plates there is a lot of geological activity in New Zealand.

Hot Springs and Geothermal Areas

Due to the geothermal activities New Zealand offers to you spectacular geothermal areas and hot springs which will relax your bones! Not only for recreational activities, these also help provide electricity and heating in some areas.

Mud pools, geysers, and hot springs, in active thermal areas, is what gives you the Sulphur City smell.

These areas are also called Curelands, for the healing nature of these natural outbursts.

Beaches and Rugged Coastlines

Covering almost over 15,000 kms of beautiful coastline, in the farther north and eastern coast of north, there lay a stretch of sandy beaches, best for swimming, surfing, sunbathing.

The southern coastline tends to be wilder and more rugged with more sandy beaches.

Mountain Ranges and Fertile Farmlands

One fifth of the North Island and two-third of the South Island of New Zealand are mountains. These long range of mountains have been created by the collision of the Australian and Pacific plates.

Over a long period of time, for millions of years, New Zealand has experienced alluvial deposits formed in the Canterbury Plains in the South Island and some of the northern areas. These deposits make the land in New Zealand fertile and appropriate for farming.

New Zealand Climate and Weather

Know one thing, while you are gathering up information about New Zealand, the weather here can change unexpectedly. Hence is is very important to have an understanding of what to expect from the New Zealand weather.

The temperature in can drop to as low as -10°C (14°F) in winter. As you travel towards the south of New Zealand the average temperature drops. The warmest months here are January and February and the coldest month is July.