17 Australia and New Zealand

Wildlife in New Zealand is so diverse. For millions of years New Zealand has been isolated and unique birds, animals and plants have developed there. The most well-known are flightless birds such as the kiwi. This bird is the symbol of the country. The kakapo is another unique flightless bird. It is the only one type of parrot which is unable to fly. The tuatara lives only in New Zealand. It looks like a lizard but is actually separate type of reptile.

National economy, industry

Industry: fishing, tourism, forestry (timber), cattle breeding, wool production, wine, food processing, textiles, machinery. Only 2 per cent of land is arable and the main crops is grain.

Natural riches are: oil, gas, iron ore and coal, gold, timber. The main trading partners of New Zealand are the USA, Australia, Japan, Great Britain.

Interesting facts, places

• Rugby Union is the most popular sport. New Zealanders also play cricket, netball, basketball, tennis, sailing.

• Peter Jackson - a famous director who made The Lord of the Rings trilogy.

• Edmund Hillary - a mountaineer who was the first to climb Mount Everest.

• Auckland – the largest city in New Zealand is. It has 1.3 million people. Almost one third of the country's population Iives in the city. Some famous landmarks within the city include Eden Park, where the country's national rugby team, the 'All Blacks', play and the Auckland Domain - the city's largest park. The city also has several volcanoes within its area. Mount Eden is the highest of these and allows a view of the city.

• Queenstown, South Island

- Snuggled between the shores of shimmering Lake Wakatipu and the snowy peaks of the Remarkables, Queenstown is New Zealand's adventure capital and one of the country's top destinations for international visitors. Bungee jumping, white water rafting, paragliding, rock climbing, mountain biking, and downhill skiing are just some of the adrenaline-fueled things to do here.

- In addition to the adventure sports, Queenstown offers all the creature comforts, with first-class hotels, spas, restaurants, galleries, and shops. It's also a great base for sightseeing trips to the Central Otago region, where visitors can explore gold-mining towns and the Middle Earth scenery from the popular Lord of the Rings movies.

• Fiordland National Park and Milford Sound, South Island

- A World Heritage Site, Fiordland National Park protects some of the most spectacular scenery in the country. Glaciers sculpted this dramatic landscape, carving the famous fjords of Milford, Dusky, and Doubtful Sounds. Visitors here can explore gushing cascades, offshore islands, virgin rain forests, vast lakes, and craggy mountain peaks.

- Not surprisingly, the park is a haven for hikers with some of the country's best hiking, including the famous Milford Track. Sea kayaking is a popular way to explore the fjords, and visitors can also enjoy a scenic flight over the park for a bird's-eye view of its staggering beauty.

• Abel Tasman National Park & the Abel Tasman Coast Track, South Island