Wellington

New Zealand · windy cities · capitals

Capital of New Zealand. Wellington is where the government of New Zealand meets and makes decisions for the whole country. It's the third-largest city there, but it's the most important one for how the country is run.

The windiest city ever. Wellington holds the world record for being the windiest city by average wind speed. The wind is so strong and regular that it shapes how buildings are designed and how people live there.

Southernmost capital. Wellington is the world's southernmost capital city of any independent country. That means if you traveled south from Wellington, you'd hit the Southern Ocean and then Antarctica before hitting another capital city.

Between two big features. The city sits right between Cook Strait, a body of water that separates New Zealand's North and South Islands, and the Remutaka Range, a mountain range that towers behind it.

Mild ocean weather. Wellington has a temperate maritime climate, which means it stays fairly mild and wet year-round because the ocean surrounds it. It's never too hot or too cold.