A country: New Zealand

New Zealand is an island country in the southwestern Pacific Ocean. There are 4.331.600 people living in New Zealand. This country is made ​​up of multiple states, exactly 33. The population is mostly of European origin, while the Maori are the largest minority. Maori people of Polynesian origin and Asians are also significant minorities, especially in urban areas. The history of this country is one of the shortest in the world, because it is one of the last territories discovered by humans: the Maori arrived there between 1050 and 1305; Europeans arrived in 1642 but it is basically a former British colony. New Zealand won his independence in 1947. The national language is English, but sign language and Maori also have official status, even if it is not very spoken. Wellington is the capital of New Zealand and the largest city in this country is Auckland, and the currency is the New Zealand dollar.

New Zealand consists of two main islands, the North Island and the South Island, and many smaller ones, some of them are even quite remote. The total area is 268,680 km ². The country is dotted with lakes, particularly the South Island, but the largest is Lake Taupo in the North Island, with 616 km ². Water including rivers, lakes and glaciers) covers 659 km ².The climate of New Zealand is generally temperate, oceanic over most of the country.

New Zealand is an independent parliamentary democracy and officially a constitutional monarchy. The monarch of the United Kingdom, currently Queen Elizabeth II is the head of state as monarch of New Zealand. In her absence, it is represented by a Governor General, a position currently occupied by Jeremiah Mateparae

Sport in New Zealand is very much appreciated. The most popular sports          are rugby (especially XV), cricket and netball,  golf, sailing, rowing and football. The Winter sport are also popular as skiing and snowboarding thanks to the Southern Alps.  

      There are 2 cultures in New-Zealand:  Maori culture, Pakeha culture.

      Maori culture is very recognized in New Zealand. With tourism in New-Zealand and the introduction of the All Blacks haka has become international, Maori culture, which was observed only in Maori society, is seen as essential in the New Zealand culture.

        Pakeha culture has its roots in the culture of British colonists who settled in New Zealand in the nineteenth century. In Pakeha culture there are several Italian and European Irish subcultures.

       The New Zealand cuisine has long been based on the "fish and chips", the "meat pie" and "pudding" directly imported from England. Today, the country offers a variety of cuisine combining sweet and savory. Domestic specialties are lamb with mint and Worcestershire sauce, lamb and kiwi pie, hearts chops with currant jelly ... There is also deer. Fish and seafood (especially mussels, oysters ...) are also enjoyed in the menus.

by Mathieu 

Can you answer these questions ? 

How many cultures are there in New Zealand?

What is the first country that colonized New Zealand?