North Island (redirected from North Island of New Zealand)

North Island (1996 pop. 2,718,188), 44,702 sq mi (115,777 sq km), New Zealand. It is the smaller but more populous of the two principal islands of the country. The principal cities are Wellington, capital of New Zealand, and Auckland. Separated from South Island by Cook Strait, North Island is irregularly shaped with a long peninsula projecting northwest. There are volcanic mountains, the highest being Ruapehu (9,175 ft/2,797 m) and Mt. Egmont (8,260 ft/2,518 m). Its largest river, the Waikato, is the most important river of New Zealand, draining Lake Taupo, the country's largest lake. The island contains most of New Zealand's dairy and wine industries. Oil, iron, and coal are found there. Near the center of the island is a hot springs resort area.

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North Island

Island (pop., 2006: 3,120,303), New Zealand. The smaller of the country's two principal islands, it is separated from South Island by the Cook Strait. It has an area of 44,702 sq mi (115,777 sq km). A large and growing majority of the population of New Zealand lives on North Island, concentrated in the cities of Wellington and Auckland.

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North Island

the northernmost of the two main islands of New Zealand. Pop.: 3 087 200 (2004 est.). Area: 114 729 sq. km (44 297 sq. miles)

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North Island 

an island in the Pacific Ocean, the northernmost of the three islands of New Zealand. Separated from South Island by Cook Strait. Area, 115,000 sq km. Population, approximately 2.2 million (1973).

Mountain ranges, with elevations to 1,700 m, rise along the western and eastern coasts of North Island. The volcanic plateau in the central part of the island has volcanic cones, including Mount Ruapehu (2,796 m), the island’s highest peak, as well as hot springs, geysers, and warm lakes. There are low-lying plains along the coasts. North Island has a subtropical maritime climate. New Zealand’s longest river, the Waikato (354 km), and its largest lake, Lake Taupo (612 sq km), are on the island.

Much of North Island’s land is cultivated or used as pasture. Forests of beech, kauri pine, and various trees of the genus Podocarpus have been preserved in the mountainous regions and in Tongariro, Urewera, and Egmont national parks. North Island raises most of New Zealand’s beef and dairy cattle. The most important cities of the island are Wellington, the capital of New Zealand, Auckland, New Plymouth, and Napier. North Island was discovered by A. Tasman in 1642.