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This South Pacific waterside city of over a
million has a strong pulse and a nautical twinkle in the eye.
Its unique location, surrounded by the Pacific on just about
every side on a thin stretch of the North Island, is
complemented by the lush subtropical forests of the nearby
hills and islands. |
This harbour city ranks with the best of them
and its districts weave their way around a variety of bays ideal
for swimming, water sports and particularly yachting - hence the
nickname, 'City of Sails'.
Puncturing the city are many rugged hills,
volcanic cones remaining from the eruption that created the
Auckland region some 50,000 years ago. The ancient rocks bear
evidence of former pa (fortified Maori villages) indicating a
1000-year occupation of the region. So many Islanders from New
Zealand's Pacific neighbours have moved to Auckland that it now
has the largest concentration of Polynesians in the world, and
more recently it has attracted immigrants from Asia. These foreign
influences give Auckland a much more cosmopolitan feel than other
New Zealand cities, and the nightlife is the best you will find in
the country.
Population: 1.2 million (greater Auckland)
Area: city boundary: 580 sq km (224 sq mi); greater
Auckland: 16,140 sq km (6232 sq mi)
Country: New Zealand
Time: GMT/UTC+12 © by
Lonely Planet
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