How well do you think you know New Zealand? We bet there are things you have missed!
Here is the list of the things you probably did not know about New Zealand.
1. There are a lot of McDonald’s in NZ
After the USA, NZ has the second highest number of McDonald’s per capita. There is even a McDonald’s in an aeroplane in Taupo.
2. And even more sheep…
The South Island of New Zealand is famous for its enormous sheep population, (approximately 20 sheep to each human!)
3. New Zealand holds more Olympic medals per capita that anywhere else in the world
Of course this doesn’t mean more actual medals, as NZ’s population is only 4 million. Still, this is pretty impressive.
4. Kiwis are fond of golf
Golf is very popular in NZ. Taking into account club memberships, it is the 2nd most popular sport in the country.
5. New Zealand is a country of book-lovers
Kiwis adore reading and the country has more bookstores per head than any other country.
6. It has an immense trout population. (And a population of immense trout!)
More trout weighing 2-3kg are caught annually in New Zealand than anywhere else in the world.
7. New Zealand once had a giant bird species
In Aotearoa there once lived a huge bird, called the moa, which was 3.6m tall and weighed 300kg. It became extinct in the 1500s when Maori started to hunt it.
8. Women run the country
New Zealand is the only country in the world to have 3 top positions held by women at the same time: The Prime Minister (Helen Clark), the Governor General (Dame Silvia Cartwright), and the Chief Justice (Sian Elias). Stand proud, Kiwis!
9. The biggest volcanic eruption was here
The largest eruption happened in Lake Taupo, which had a Volcanic Explosivity Index of 8, and released more than 530km³ of magma.
10. New Zealand is a new country
The country was the last big landmass to be populated, not taking into account the polar regions.
