New Zealand Flag

The Flag of New Zealand

New Zealand, is a sovereign island country in the southwestern Pacific Ocean. The country geographically comprises two main landmasses - North Island, South Island and around 600 smaller islands. New Zeland is situated 2000 kilometers east of Austrailia across the Tasman sea and around 1000 kilometers south of the Pacific Islands of New Caledonia, Fiji and Tonga. The country also has a distinct biodiversity of animal, fungal and plant life. There is also a mountain range called "The Southern Alps" which consists of high peaks (Lord of the rings was filmed there).

New Zealand was uninhabited by humans until the late 13th C, when it was settled by Polynesians, these settlers formed their own culture - Maori culture. In 1642, Dutch explorer Abel Tasman (Tazmania is named after him), became the first European to sight New Zealand. Later on, Captain James Cook explored the area and claimed it for Britain. Eventually, the British invaded and settled New Zealand, which led to hostilities between them and the Maori peoples. Eventually New Zealand became independent in 1947 and remains a part of the British Commonwealth today. New Zealand is a developed country and ranks very highly in quality of life, health, education, protection of civil liberties, and economic freedom. New Zealand itself is named after the Dutch province of Zeeland.

The flag of New Zealand, also known as the New Zealand Ensign, is based on the British maritime Blue Ensign - a blue field wit the Union Jack in the top right corner, augmented with four white-bordered red stars, representing the Southern Cross constellation.

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