Some Facts About New Zealand You May Not Know
By Val
@valmnz (17097)
New Zealand
May 20, 2017 4:04pm CST
New Zealand is a long way away from most the homes of most myLot readers, I don't think some realise just how far south we are. Nor how tiny we are. So, I've just checked out a few facts to share with you.
This was prompted by interaction with @Morleyhunt who wrote she was travelling 1,670 kms to participate in a walk sometime soon. I responded by saying the entire combined length of the two main islands of New Zealand is only 2074 kms. We are an island country, with extensive coastline. In fact, our total coastline is about 15,000 km.
Then, as happens every season change, there are some who are unaware that yes, we are in the southern hemisphere and our seasons are the exact opposite of those in the northern hemisphere, which is why I'm writing about winter right now.
New Zealand is not the closest country to the South Pole as I told someone yesterday, but one of the closest. The latitude of Antarctica is given as 90.00S and New Zealand's most southern point is 46.40S. Where I live it is 40.35S.
Our population figures are interesting too. We have only 4.5 million people in our entire country, but we do have the highest density of sheep in the world. Our sheep population is around 29.5 million. So chances are, if you travel in the right parts of New Zealand you'll see more sheep than people!
So there you have it - a tiny country with less people than sheep, tucked way down near the bottom of the world. No wonder I love living here.
28 people like this
29 responses
@pgntwo (22408)
• Derry, Northern Ireland
20 May 17
@valmnz There is a link to the site I was playing with to determine this on my latest, link below - have fun.
I decided that Gibraltar is strategically important for one simple reason: if you went straight through the earth from the Rock of Gibraltar, you'd emerge about...
2 people like this
@sjvg1976 (41281)
• Delhi, India
21 May 17
I have always dreamt of visiting New Zealand once in my life as I know it's a beautiful country.
It's all about the population , here in India as it's most populous country so most of the land is occupied by human beings. There are scarcity of natural resources. Forests are shrinking and buildings are taking its place. Hope we all Will analyse and have a control on this otherwise we will surely going to pay for it.
2 people like this
@ptrikha_2 (46951)
• India
23 May 17
@valmnz The natural surroundings with not too many people makes NewZealand a great place to visit.
2 people like this
@JamesHxstatic (29413)
• Eugene, Oregon
20 May 17
"Far From the Madding Crowd", a book title, comes to mind. I had a general idea where your country is, and knew that there are lots of sheep there, but you added some interesting numbers. The isolation sounds attractive.
3 people like this
@valmnz (17097)
• New Zealand
20 May 17
@TheInvisibleMan I think so but I am probably biased!
3 people like this
@allknowing (136442)
• India
22 May 17
I had learnt about those prairies and sheep while at school and when I saw them I was in ecstasy
1 person likes this
@allknowing (136442)
• India
22 May 17
@valmnz What is common to you may not common to tourists.
1 person likes this
@valmnz (17097)
• New Zealand
22 May 17
@allknowing exactly. I think we all tend to take our own countries for granted.
@silvermist (19702)
• India
7 Jun 17
A very beautiful photo. That is interesting-more sheep than people.I have always considered New Zealand as one of the most beautiful countries.
1 person likes this
@TiarasOceanView (70022)
• United States
20 May 17
I have heard it is such a beautiful place New Zealand.
Thanks for more facts about it Val.
That is crazy there is that many sheep and less people than them.
It sounds perfect to me.
1 person likes this
@TiarasOceanView (70022)
• United States
20 May 17
@valmnz Well plenty there to be fond of then. Is stuff labeled New Wool from New Zealand then?
1 person likes this
@valmnz (17097)
• New Zealand
20 May 17
@TiarasOceanView wool garments are very expensive here, mostly it's tourists buying them. But yes, lablelled either New Zealand wool, pure New Zealand wool, New Zealand merino wool, etc.
1 person likes this
@cmoneyspinner (9219)
• Austin, Texas
21 May 17
All I know is that I saw pictures of New Zealand as a child on a television show and decided it had to be one of the most beautiful places on earth. 
2 people like this
@Hate2Iron (15727)
• Canada
20 May 17
More sheep than people... that got my attention right off and close to the South Pole... there are a few new souveniers that I need to collect lol!!
2 people like this
@dragon54u (31634)
• United States
20 May 17
I was fascinated by New Zealand since I was around 10 years old, having read the book "Green Dolphin Street". The way it was described was so beautiful! You are blessed to live in such a wonderful country.
1 person likes this
@ptrikha_2 (46951)
• India
22 May 17
@valmnz I would love to visit the country of "Lord of the Rings" and some small yet picturesque cricket grounds like at Wellington- Basin Reserve, Auckland- Green Park, Napier, Hamilton, Dunedin and Christchurch(and perhaps some more).
The Kiwis team is a tough fighter in cricket as well as in hockey.
Many Indians too try to gain entry to NewZealand via the education system, though not many succeed.
And sure we would also love to see the sheeps!
1 person likes this
@JohnRoberts (109846)
• Los Angeles, California
21 May 17
Someday I would like to visit New Zealand and get the Kiwi experience.
1 person likes this
