New+Zealand

=**NEW ZEALAND**=

On this page you can read about New Zealand, and hopefully learn some more about this country.

This is New Zealand's **flag:**


 * Map** over New Zealand:



=**Facts:**=

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New Zealand is an island country. It lays in the south-western Pacific Ocean. The country is comprised by two main islands commonly called The North Island and The South Island, but there are also some smaller islands too. It is situated 2000 km southeast of Australia. Its closest neighbours are New Caledonia, Fiji and Tonga. ======

=Social conditions:=

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New Zealand ranks highly on human development, quality of life, life expectancy, literacy, public education, peace, prosperity, economic freedom, ease of doing business, lack of corruption, press freedom, and the protection of civil liberties and political rights. New Zealand’s cities are ranked among the world’s most liveable.======

GDP pr citizen: 27.209 US$ Source: UNDP Database, 2005
====New Zealand has a modern, prosperous, developed economy with an estimated GDP of $115.624 billion (2008). The country has a relatively high standard of living with an estimated GDP per capita of $27,017 in 2008, comparable to Southern Europe. Since 2000 New Zealand has made substantial gains in median household income. New Zealand, along with Australia, largely escaped the early 2000s recession that affected most other Western countries. However GDP fell in all four quarters of 2008. (wikipedia)====

=Religion:=

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About 81 % in New Zealand are Christians, with main weight on they who belong to the English church, Presbyterians and Catholics. There are still some maorier that stick to their old beliefs, and especially are there many who mix this old believe with the Christian, and make their own new religion. Immigrants from the Islands in the south ocean and other countries are also affecting the religious picture in New Zealand.====== = Relation to Britain: =

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Britain and New Zealand has very close ties. They have endured through times of prosperity and of hardship. Around 80% of New Zealanders can claim some British ancestry and some are entitled to British passports. Britain is a favoured destination for young New Zealanders for their “Overseas Experience”.======

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The UK provided the biggest element of New Zealand’s newly approved residents in 2005/06 – making up 29%. The strong growth in the UK expatriate community in New Zealand has tipped the balance of migration between the two countries. There are currently almost twice as many UK citizens making a permanent or long-term home in New Zealand (22,400 in the year to June 2006) than New Zealanders departing for the UK long-term (nearly 12,000 in the same period).====== = = =Famous people:=

=Sports:=

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A popular sport in New Zealand is rugby. Football is the most popular sport among kids. Other popular sports are cricket, netball(the sport with most active players), golf, tennis, snowboard, sailing, rowing and slalom.======

New Zealand has a well known internationally name within the horsesport with people like Mark Todd.
=Energy production:=

65% of the electricity in New Zealand is generated with renewable energy. Primarily hydropower(52%) and geothermal power(9%). This was registered in 2008.
=Music:= ====New Zealand’s music is influenced by the indigenous Maori and immigrants from the Pacific region. It’s a vibrant expression of the culture of New Zealand. As the nation has grown and established its own culture, local artist have mixed the Máori style with contributions from Europe and America and local influences. This makes the New Zealand music style unique.====

Some famous people/bands in New Zealand within the different genres:
Human Instinct Space Farm Living Force
 * ROCK

HIP HOP 3 The Hard Way 10CC Sisters Underground

ALTERNATIVE/INDIE The Scavengers Suburban Reptiles Proud Scum

DARKWAVE/GOTHIC/INDUSTRIAL N.U.T.E Dr. Keverkian & The Suicide Machine The Mercy Cage

ELECTRONICA Salmonella Dub Concorde Dawn Shapeshifter**

= =  History New Zealand was settled between year 800-1300 and develop the Maori culture. The first Europeans came to New Zealand in 1642. The name of the country was given by people from Holland. This people though that the country was only one island, and give the island the name Staten Landt. After words when they discovered that the country was two islands they give the name New Zealand. New Zealand was a Britain colony in 1840 when they sign the Treaty of Waitangi. Some contens in this treaty was interpreted different between the British people and Maori people and that result in problems. New Zealand was given independence in 1931 from the British government but that wast done before 194 Language history In New Zealand the are three official languages English, maori and New Zealand sign language. Most of the people in New Zealand speak English and the are only few people talking Maori and New Zealand sign language. In New Zealand there are three official languages English, Maori and New Zealand sign language. Most of the people in New Zealand speak English and there are only few people talking Maori and New Zealand sign language. Maori is close to Polynesian languages English is the language they speak mostly in New Zealand more than 90% speaks English New Zealand sign language is also a official language in new Zealand and this language is the only official sign language in the world. 