New Zealand: indigenous people. New Zealand: population density and population

New Zealand ... Green Islands, on whose hills recently key episodes of "The Lord of the Rings" were filmed.

General information

In the south-eastern part of the Pacific region, this green country is located. On two large and a whole placer, consisting of several hundred, small islands stretched New Zealand. The area of the country can be compared with the territories of the Japanese islands or the whole of Great Britain. The population of New Zealand is about 4.5 million people. The entire administration is in the capital - Wellington. The system of government is a constitutional monarchy with parliamentary democracy. The uniqueness of the island state is that it was one of all developed countries that could develop its economy exclusively on agriculture. Since November 2008, the country has been ruled by the National Party, headed by John Ki, who is prime minister.

The Kingdom includes independent islands, which have the same currency as the New Zealand dollar. These are the Cook Islands, Niue, the Tokelau Territory, which is not self-governing, and the territory of Ross, which lies in the Antarctic zone.

Climate

The population of New Zealand can be quite quite the climate of its country. The northern part of the North Island is subject to a subtropical climate, whereas in the mountainous areas the Antarctic winds can bring up to -20 degrees. The chain of high mountains divides the country in two, thereby dividing it into two climatic zones. The wettest part is the west coast of the South Island. Only a hundred kilometers from it, in the east, is the driest part of the state.

In most of the country, precipitation reaches 600-1600 mm per year. This amount is distributed evenly, except for the time of dry summer.

The average annual temperature in the south is +10 degrees, in the north - +16. The coldest month in this country, located on the other side of the equator from us, is July. The average daytime temperature is + 4-8 degrees, the night time can drop to -7. The warmest months are January and February. The northern part of the country does not have much difference in temperature by the time of year, whereas the southern regions have a difference of up to 14 degrees.

In Auckland - the largest city in the country - the average annual temperature is +15.1 degrees. Thus, in the hottest time, the temperature can rise to +31.1 degrees, while in the coldest temperatures it can drop to -2.5. The average annual temperature of Wellington is +12.8 (from -1.9 to +31.1 during the year).

In the sheltered from the wind areas of the country, the amount of sunny hours is high. On average, this number is 2000 hours per year. Most of the population of New Zealand receives a large amount of solar radiation.

Languages

In three languages, the population can officially speak. New Zealand recognizes English, Māori and New Zealand. The leading language spoken by 96% of the population is English. Magazines and newspapers use this language. They also use television and radio. The Maori language is the second most important state language. Gestures for the deaf-mutes received the status of an official language in 2006.

The New Zealand dialect is very close to the Australian, but retained a strong influence in the south of England. Parallel to this, the influence of Irish and Scottish accents is felt in it. It also affected the significant influence of the native language - some words were forever used by the citizens of the country.

The official language was the Maori language in 1987. Its application is mandatory in all institutions today. This language is taught in schools. Although most of the schools offer the opportunity to study simultaneously two - English and Maori. Many names in the country have roots in the Maori language.

In addition, representatives of more than 170 language groups are permanently residing in the country. The greatest use is of Samoan, French, Chinese and Hindi. Slavic languages on the islands are almost not used, because the population of New Zealand, for which they are native, is too small in number.

Religion of New Zealand

The population of New Zealand today is just over 4.5 million people. Among them, 56% are Christians. The next most numerous religions are Anglicanism, Presbyterianism, Catholicism and Methodism. Then the place is occupied by Sikhs, Hindus and followers of Islam. Approximately 35% of the population of New Zealand are undecided members of society, not inclined to attribute themselves to any of the existing religions.

Indigenous people

The indigenous population of New Zealand is Maori. Previously, before the colonization of the islands by Europeans, representatives of this people were their main inhabitants. To date, around 680 thousand people belonging to this people live in the whole world.

In addition to native places, this tribe inhabits the Australian, Canadian territories, and also lives in the United States, Great Britain and in very small numbers in other countries.

In the literal translation from the native language, the word "Maori" means "normal". This concept was used by the people in ancient times to distinguish a person from a divine creature.

Representatives of Maori were the first to settle the islands. It is still not clear where these people came from, but they founded their culture, forming a state, which they called Aotearoa. These people were excellent navigators, who could travel in small boats on the Pacific Ocean. In the sea, their landmarks were only the sun and the starry sky. This knowledge helped them to find themselves in New Zealand much earlier than Europeans. White people were able to discover the islands only 800 years later when they saw warriors there - fearless and independent.

Occupation of the population

Traditionally, Maori were engaged in subsistence farming. Food was extracted by hunting and mainly slash-and-burn agriculture. An important occupation for the ancient Maori was war. Today, people occupy a significant place in forestry and agriculture. Crafts originated in ancient times, remaining to this day an important part of culture. The main activities are carving, weaving, weaving, creating jewelry, building boats. From any other cultures, Maori's products are distinguished by the lack of any mention of animals in the drawings and sculpture. The main ornament of this people is a spiral, executed in various forms. The main image is famous people or a deity.

Accommodation

The density of the population of New Zealand was initially very low. Māori lived in the villages. The buildings were close to each other, surrounded by a fence of wood or a moat. Houses were built of logs or boards. The roof was thatched. The floor was slightly deepened to the ground, so that the room was a little cooler in the summer and warmer in the winter. In addition to residential houses in the villages there were communal houses, buildings for various entertainments and for obtaining knowledge.

The population of New Zealand was forced to invent warm clothes, as the climate did not allow going to summer all year round. People traditionally wore warm raincoats and cloaks. Women's clothing was supplemented by long warm skirts. To insulate the fabric (most often it was flax), fibers of weaving woven animal skins or bird feathers into the fibers.

The basic population of New Zealand was traditionally occupied with the manufacture of weapons: darts, spears, poles. The Maori and the club were used, and the original bayonet weapon, called tayah. For the cultivation of land, a stick-digger was predominantly used. Hunters used mainly snares to catch various animals. In carving wood, the main tool of labor were incisors of jade or jadeite.

Traditions

The basic population of New Zealand is today Maori. In antiquity it was one of the most hardy and cruel peoples. Today their ideas of life seem wild, but for them the usual thing was, for example, cannibalism. Maori ate their captives, believing that the enemy's forces would pass to them.

Another tradition of Maori is tattooing. It was a painful way to show your status. Women decorated their lips and chins, men painted all over their faces. At the same time, the pattern was not applied in the usual needle-like manner - tattoos literally cut into the skin with incisors, it was like the work of a sculptor. At least the initiation procedures were not less brutal, a very painful test of endurance. In addition, the Maori cut off the heads of the enemies, then mummify them.

Maori today

Find out what kind of population in New Zealand is very easy. Today in the world is very popular combat dance of this people, which is called "haka". Maori have exclusive rights to this dance. Initially, the hack was a ritual dance, accompanied by support by the choir or words that were shouted with a certain periodicity. This dance was performed in order to invoke the spirits of nature, or before the battle. The government of the state granted the members of the tribe the right of ownership of the battle cry.

Civilization strongly influenced the traditions and views of Maori - today it is not bloodthirsty warriors anymore. However, their culture is very rich and unique today. A very important part of Maori culture in our time are works of traditional art. Tourists visiting New Zealand, must visit the exhibition of folk crafts or performances of dancers. It is compulsory to take pictures of representatives of local tribes and at least a little more to learn about the philosophy and history of this amazing people.