North Island(redirected from North Island of New Zealand)
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Te Ika-a-Maui[Maori,=the fish of Maui] (1996 pop. 2,718,188), 44,702 sq mi (115,777 sq km), New Zealand. It is the smaller but more populous of the two principal islands of the country. The principal cities are WellingtonWellington,
city (1996 pop. 157,647; urban agglomeration 334,051), capital of New Zealand, extreme S North Island, on Port Nicholson, an inlet of Cook Strait. Socially and economically linked with Hutt City, Upper Hutt, and Porirua City, Wellington is a major communications and
..... Click the link for more information. , capital of New Zealand, and AucklandAuckland
, city (1996 pop. 345,768; urban agglomeration pop. 991,796), N North Island, New Zealand. It is situated on an isthmus and is the largest urban region and chief port of the country. The chief exports are frozen meats, dairy products, wool, hides, and iron and steel.
..... Click the link for more information. . Separated from South IslandSouth Island
or Te Waipounamu
[Maori,=the waters of greenstone] (1996 pop. 900,114), 58,093 sq mi (150,461 sq km), New Zealand. It is the larger but less populous of the two principal islands of the country and is also known as the Mainland.
..... Click the link for more information. , the other principal island, by Cook Strait, North Island is irregularly shaped with a long peninsula projecting northwest. There are volcanic mountains, the highest being RuapehuRuapehu
, active volcano, 9,175 ft (2,797 m) high, on North Island, New Zealand; highest point of North Island. Ruapehu's most recent large eruptions were in 1995 and 1996.
..... Click the link for more information. (9,175 ft/2,797 m) and Mt. Egmont (8,260 ft/2,518 m). Its largest river, the WaikatoWaikato
, river, 264 mi (425 km) long, rising in Lake Taupo, central North Island, New Zealand, and flowing NW into the Tasman Sea. It is New Zealand's longest river. The Waikato power plants are the main source of hydroelectricity on the North Island.
..... Click the link for more information. , is the most important river of New Zealand, draining Lake TaupoTaupo, Lake
, largest lake of New Zealand, 234 sq mi (606 sq km) and 552 ft (168 m) deep, in central North Island. Originally fed by over 20 streams, the lake is drained by the Waikato River. Lake Taupo, located in the volcanic plateau, is flanked by volcanoes.
..... Click the link for more information. , the country's largest lake. The island contains most of New Zealand's dairy and wine industries. Oil, iron, and coal are found there. Near the center of the island is a hot springs resort area.
an island in the Pacific Ocean, the northernmost of the three islands of New Zealand. Separated from South Island by Cook Strait. Area, 115,000 sq km. Population, approximately 2.2 million (1973).
Mountain ranges, with elevations to 1,700 m, rise along the western and eastern coasts of North Island. The volcanic plateau in the central part of the island has volcanic cones, including Mount Ruapehu (2,796 m), the island’s highest peak, as well as hot springs, geysers, and warm lakes. There are low-lying plains along the coasts. North Island has a subtropical maritime climate. New Zealand’s longest river, the Waikato (354 km), and its largest lake, Lake Taupo (612 sq km), are on the island.
Much of North Island’s land is cultivated or used as pasture. Forests of beech, kauri pine, and various trees of the genus Podocarpus have been preserved in the mountainous regions and in Tongariro, Urewera, and Egmont national parks. North Island raises most of New Zealand’s beef and dairy cattle. The most important cities of the island are Wellington, the capital of New Zealand, Auckland, New Plymouth, and Napier. North Island was discovered by A. Tasman in 1642.