New Zealand is a small country, mostly know as the land of fascinating nature, kiwifruit, and rugby. But there are so many other interesting things about this mystical country that are just as important. Here are a few fascinating things about New Zealand that you probably didn’t know.
More Sheep Than People
One of the most interesting facts about New Zealand is that humans make up just 5% of its population—the rest are animals. New Zealand has a small population of 4.47 million, and there are six times more sheep than people living on this island.
Land of the Long White Cloud
The official Maori name for New Zealand is “Aotearoa”, which translates as “land of the long white cloud”. The name is most likely inspired by Maori traditional stories and mythology.
Three Official Languages
Even though English is the most widely spoken language, New Zealand has two more official languages—Māori and New Zealand Sign Language. This is the only country in the world where Māori language is spoken, and it became an official language in 1987.
Pioneers In Women′s Rights
New Zealand was the first country in the world to give women the right to vote, back in 1883, long before any other country in the world.