Auckland is New Zealand's largest city by population, situated on a narrow isthmus between two harbors on the country's North Island. British settlers founded it in 1840 and made it New Zealand's capital until 1865, when the capital was moved to Wellington for its more central location. Its Māori name, «Tāmaki Makaurau», means «Tāmaki desired by many», referring to the fertility of its land, once contested among indigenous tribes.
A City Built on a Volcanic Field
Auckland is distinguished by its unique geological setting, built atop an active volcanic field containing around fifty dormant cones, the most notable being «Mount Eden», which offers a panoramic view over the entire city. Given its coastal location facing two harbors and its residents' passion for sailing, Auckland earned the nickname «City of Sails», boasting the highest number of boats per capita in the world.
- Built atop a volcanic field of around 50 dormant cones
- The highest rate of boat ownership per capita in the world
- Was New Zealand's first capital until 1865
- The Sky Tower was the tallest structure in the Southern Hemisphere when it opened
Auckland is known for its great cultural diversity as home to the largest Polynesian population of any city in the world, and for its mild climate and stunning scenery blending the sea, dormant volcanoes, and nearby rainforests.
