New Zealand

island country · Pacific Ocean · volcanic landscape

Two giant islands. New Zealand is made up of the North Island and South Island, plus more than 700 smaller islands scattered around them. It's the sixth-largest island country in the whole world.

Built by volcanoes. The country's sharp mountain peaks and dramatic landscape were shaped by volcanoes erupting and the Earth's crust pushing upward over millions of years. You can still see evidence of this volcanic activity today.

Located far away. New Zealand sits in the southwestern Pacific Ocean, east of Australia across the Tasman Sea. It's remote and far from most other countries, which makes it extra special.

Two important cities. Wellington is the capital city where the government sits, while Auckland is the biggest city with the most people living there.

Surrounded by ocean. Because New Zealand is an island country surrounded by water, it has unique plants and animals that you won't find anywhere else on Earth.