Physical Geography
New Zealand Map
Including:
Topography
&
Absolute Location
Size of the Country
267,710 sq. kilometers
Climate
· Mild marine west coast climate in all of New Zealand
· There is a variety of precipitation and temperatures all across the country
· North Island
o Generally warmer than South Island o Rarely snows
· South Island
o Western South Island gets a lot of additional precipitation than the east, which is a rain shadow, due to the westerly winds that bring moisture to the Southern Alps, dropping snow and rain
· Average of 100 inches (254 cm) of rainfall annually in the majority of the west coast
· Less than 20 inches (51 cm) of rainfall in some eastern areas
· Abrupt changes in weather
Plant and Animal Life
· Temperate Forest Biome
o Many epidemic species
§ Plants
· Forests inhabit almost 30% of the country
o Mostly evergreen trees
o Many epidemic species
§ Plants
· Forests inhabit almost 30% of the country
o Mostly evergreen trees
Moa bird
Kiwi Bird
§ Animals
· Kiwis
o One of the most well known species of animals in New Zealand
o Small, native, flightless bird
o Live in forests
o Sleep during the day
o Look for food at night
· Moas
o Large flightless bird
o Became extinct several hundred years ago
· No epidemic mammals
o Except for bats
· Exotic species
o European settlers brought:
§ Cats, cattle, sheep, and deer
· Kiwis
o One of the most well known species of animals in New Zealand
o Small, native, flightless bird
o Live in forests
o Sleep during the day
o Look for food at night
· Moas
o Large flightless bird
o Became extinct several hundred years ago
· No epidemic mammals
o Except for bats
· Exotic species
o European settlers brought:
§ Cats, cattle, sheep, and deer
Sheep
Natural Resources
the power of water
· Main resource – good land for farming
o Over 50% of the land maintains livestock or crops
· Forests
o Radiata pine tree
§ Produce pulp and paper
§ Fast-growing
§ Exotic species brought from California
· Hydroelectric Power
o Most produced from the rivers
o Supplies 65% of the country’s electricity
· Geothermal Power
· Minerals
o Not many large mineral deposits
o Essential
§ Coal, gold, iron ore, and natural gas
o Over 50% of the land maintains livestock or crops
· Forests
o Radiata pine tree
§ Produce pulp and paper
§ Fast-growing
§ Exotic species brought from California
· Hydroelectric Power
o Most produced from the rivers
o Supplies 65% of the country’s electricity
· Geothermal Power
· Minerals
o Not many large mineral deposits
o Essential
§ Coal, gold, iron ore, and natural gas
