New Zealand

Geographical location: Island nation in the southwestern Pacific Ocean

Bordering countries: None

Landscape: Known for rugged coastlines, lush forests, and the Southern Alps

Climate: Temperate, with warm summers and mild winters

Population: Just over 5 million people

Capital city: Wellington

Other important cities: Auckland, Christchurch, Hamilton

Language: English and Māori

Currency: New Zealand dollar

Cuisine: Seafood, meat dishes, farm-to-table produce

Music: Traditional Māori, pop, rock, classical styles

Famous tourist attractions: Milford Sound, Bay of Islands, Rotorua’s geysers

Interesting historical facts: Māori people arrived from Polynesia in the late 1300s; became a British colony in the 1840s; gained full independence in 1947