The Canterbury Plains were formed from Quaternary moraine gravels transported from the Southern Alps and deposited here during glacial periods in the late Pleistocene approximately 3 million to 10,000 years ago.
What is the largest plain in New Zealand?
The Canterbury Plains
The Canterbury Plains are New Zealand’s largest area of flat land, with straight roads cutting across a mosaic of paddocks. This area 40 kilometres west of Christchurch where seven roads converge is known as Charing Cross.
How big are the Canterbury Plains?
Plains. The Canterbury Plains, about 180 kilometres long and of varying width, are New Zealand’s largest area of flat land. They are not strictly flat but slope at an average 1 in 132 from the base of the foothills (at 365 metres or more above sea level) to the coast.
What is the area of the Canterbury Plains?
Canterbury Plains, lowland area of east-central South Island, New Zealand. The plains cover an area of 150 by 45 miles (240 by 70 km) bordering on the Pacific Ocean.
When was the Canterbury settlement founded?
In 1850 the 800 or so settlers, already known as the Canterbury Pilgrims, arrived at Lyttelton as the pioneers of organised European settlement in Canterbury. They came in four ships: the Charlotte Jane and the Randolph on 16 December 1850 Sir George Seymour the following day, and the Cressy on 27 December.
What is the richest city in New Zealand?
Queenstown and the Lakes District, the South Island’s internationally renowned tourist area, has been rated as New Zealand’s most affluent place to live.
What is the hardest walk in NZ?
Dusky Track
The Dusky Track through Fiordland National Park is infamous for being New Zealand’s hardest hike. New Zealanders even have their own word for this kind of hiking: ‘tramping’.
Why is Canterbury so dry?
As Canterbury’s climate warms, the likelihood of drought is expected to increase and areas that are already dry, such as the Mackenzie country, will get even drier. Drought sets in when moisture leaves the soil, through evaporation or plant uptake, faster than it’s replenished.
Is Canterbury polluted?
The air has reached a high level of pollution and is unhealthy for sensitive groups. Reduce time spent outside if you are feeling symptoms such as difficulty breathing or throat irritation.
What type of climate is Canterbury?
Canterbury experiences an oceanic climate (Köppen climate classification Cfb), similar to almost all of the United Kingdom. Canterbury enjoys mild temperatures all year round, being between 1.8 °C (35.2 °F) and 22.8 °C (73 °F).
What percentage of Canterbury is white?
Approximately 95% of the residents are white. Over 68% of the residents are Christian, but other religions include Muslim, Buddhist, Jewish, and Sikh.
What is a person from Canterbury called?
People from the Canterbury region are known as ‘Cantabrians‘
Why is Canterbury so famous?
Canterbury has been a European pilgrimage site of major importance for over 800 years since the assassination of Archbishop Thomas Becket in 1170. Today it is one of the most beautiful and historic cities in England.
Who created the Canterbury?
The Canterbury Tales, frame story by Geoffrey Chaucer, written in Middle English in 1387–1400.
Who were the first settlers in Canterbury?
Canterbury was first settled by Māori 600–700 years ago. They lived mainly beside the productive wetlands near the coast, and around Te Waihora (Lake Ellesmere) and Wairewa (Lake Forsyth) – renowned eel and flounder fisheries. Horomaka (Banks Peninsula) was important because it combined the resources of forest and sea.
What is the history of Canterbury?
Canterbury as a city has it’s origins in the Roman settlement of Durovernum Cantiacorum, established in the first century AD after the Roman invasion of 43 AD. The name was taken from the Cantiaci tribe that inhabited the area at the time of the Roman invasion. The name of the county of Kent also derives from them.
What is the poorest town in New Zealand?
Kawerau
Kawerau is New Zealand’s poorest town. It has the country’s lowest average income, its highest share of sole parents and beneficiaries, and has been dominated for 30 years by the Mongrel Mob.
What is the poorest area in NZ?
Northland is New Zealand’s poorest region with a range of indicators showing it is at or near the bottom of the pile. At about $21,000 its GDP per capita is the lowest among New Zealand’s 16 regions. It has low levels of educational attainment and life expectancy and has the highest rate of unemployment.
Is NZ poor or rich?
The economy of New Zealand is a highly developed free-market economy. It is the 50th-largest national economy in the world when measured by nominal gross domestic product (GDP) and the 63rd-largest in the world when measured by purchasing power parity (PPP).
What is the easiest Great Walk in NZ?
the Abel Tasman Track
1. Abel Tasman. By far the easiest of all the Great Walks is the Abel Tasman Track. It is pretty flat and you have the option of having your pack transferred between huts by boat if you wish!
What is the longest walk in New Zealand?
Te Araroa (The Long Pathway) is New Zealand’s long distance tramping route, stretching circa 3,000 kilometres (1,900 mi) along the length of the country’s two main islands from Cape Reinga to Bluff.