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New Zealand
 New Zealand offers beautiful landscapes decorated with lush green forests, incredible wildlife and pleasant climate. It’s a magnetic travel destination with abundant of majestic places to unfurl. Every year millions of travelers are making their way to this popular holiday destination to enjoy the utmost way of life. New Zealand is prominently renowned as the paradise of nature lovers and a haven for many outdoor activities. The place offers several unique and dynamic cultures to celebrate its lifestyles and so thus the distinct way of life. Sports and leisure are the center of attraction of New Zealand with a definite cultural identity. New Zealand's involvement in international rugby also gains prominence of the place.
Background: In about A.D. 800, the Polynesian Maori reached New Zealand. The chieftains entered into a compact with Britain, while retaining territorial rights, in which they ceded sovereignty to Queen Victoria in 1840. The British began the first planned colonial settlement, in the same year. In between 1843 and 1872, a series of land wars ended with the defeat of the native peoples. In 1980s, New Zealand's full participation in a number of defense alliances was occurred. The government has sought to address longstanding Maori grievances, in the recent years.
A brief detail of New Zealand:
Population: 4 million
Population growth rate: 1.05% (2004 est.)
Capital: Wellington
Major languages: English, Maori
Major religion: Christianity
Monetary unit: 1 New Zealand dollar ($NZ) = 100 cents
Main exports: Wool, food and dairy products, wood and paper products
Internet domain: .nz
International code: +64
Life expectancy: 76 years (men), 81 years (women)
Climate: temperate with sharp regional contrasts
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