The Western World Daily Readings on Geography Chapter 23 Pacific Realm Physical Geography II

CHAPTER 23 Pacific Realm Physical Geography II New Zealand Compared . by Bonce from Noun Propel Is New Zealand the Norway or Iceland ofthe Southern Hemisphere ?

New Zealand often is cited as one of the most beautiful countries in the world and deservedly so . Its physical landscape is diverse and stunningly beautiful . Compared to locations in the Northern Hemisphere , New Zealand probably is most like Norway or Iceland . Let examine the similarities and differences between New Zealand and its possible comparative regions in the north . 104

PACIFIC REALM PHYSICAL GEOGRAPHY II 105 In physical beauty , certainly the beaches and shorelines of New Zealand are noteworthy . As an island realm , obviously it has coastline . Comprised of two main islands , unimaginatively named North Island and South Island , New Zealand ranks in the world in length of coastline . Iceland , also an island realm , ranks 25 , but Norway , a mainland country while having many very small islands , ranks , trailing Canada by far . Mixed sand and gravel beaches are common in New Zealand , though some locations feature black sand beaches , economically valuable for gold and iron elements . Due to the ( the capital Wellington is at latitude ) presence , a number of beaches are available for swimming , though some beaches and some conditions can present dangerous tides and waves . In Iceland , lagoon ( at ) offers summer swimming with a water temperature of , but otherwise Iceland ocean shores present beautiful and varied settings of sand and rock , but not swimming . Southwestern Norway , for instance at Beach at , does see summer swimmers . Note that while the Atlantic Ocean warm Gulf Stream does pass between Iceland and Norway , bringing moderate temperatures with it , for these two countries their far northern latitudes Iceland ( at its capital ) and Norway ( at its capital ) inherently yield cold climates . In fact , Norway is the coldest ( average temperature ) country in the world , while Iceland ranks ( on that measure . Meanwhile , New Zealand averages . Photo by on Country Coastline Norway miles New Zealand miles Iceland miles For these three countries , often coastline also means fjords . Fjords are narrow paths of ocean water stretching and twisting inland where ages ago glacial retreats tore out the land . Fjords can present spectacular views of heights , water , and land . Fjords can be found in several countries Canada , USA ( Alaska ) Iceland , Chile but most famously are in Norway and New Zealand . In New Zealand , typically fjords are called sounds , as is Sound in the photograph below . For a look at the famed Track , watch this short video An interactive or media element has been excluded from this version text . You can view it online here ra ?

106 JOEL QUAM AND SCOTT CAMPBELL Direct Link to Trek Video by College of ( New Tab ) New Zealand southwestern side of South Island includes , where are fourteen of the country fjords are located . Both Doubtful Sound and Dusky Sound are the longest at 25 miles . While not numerous in New Zealand , the inherent beauty of fjords is picturesque . Sound is a popular tourist destination , actually the only one ofthe sounds accessible by road . Iceland fjords are more in number and length . Of the 109 fjords there , the farthest out to 37 miles . Norway truly is renowned for fjords , justifiably so , counting 1190 of these waterways , with extending an impressive 127 miles . As fjords were carved by glacial retreat from the Ice Age , it may not be surprising that glaciers remain in these countries ' Clearly , Iceland sounds like it should have glaciers and it does . However , New Zealand has many more glaciers , more than Norway as well yet , these tend to be very small , averaging acres in area . Norwegian and Icelandic glaciers are larger . As around the world , glaciers in these three countries are shrinking in size surface area and volume . NUMBER OF GLACIERS Sound Photo Workman on Country of Glaciers Largest Glacier ?

Iceland 269 3204 New Zealand 3144 39 Norway 1600 ( in ) 3248 Glaciers , large bodies of ice moving under its own weight by gravity and melting , often are associated with mountains that provide slopes and colder elevations . The mountains of North Island , but especially the Southern Alps of course on South Island , are the consequence of New Zealand location astraddle the line where the Australian tectonic plate meets the Pacific tectonic plate . The resulting subduction created high mountains and volcanoes in New Zealand . As pictured below , Mount Cook is New Zealand highest peak at 12 , 218 feet . The Southern Alps include a number of other peaks above feet . While Norway has numerous mountains as well , its location does not hit an active line between tectonic plates , thus its mountains do not reach as far skyward . extends the farthest up to 8100 feet . Iceland complicated geology , noted in its own essay , produced its peak of at 6952 feet .

PACIFIC REALM PHYSICAL GEOGRAPHY II Mount Cook Photo by Casey Homer on distinctive and beautiful coastlines . 107 In sum , New Zealand features higher mountains , more but small glaciers , fewer yet gorgeous fjords ( or sounds ) and warmer beaches than Norway and Iceland do . All three countries incorporate beautiful scenery into enticing location for tourist visits . New Zealand far distant location is a disadvantage compared to Norway and Iceland respective to America and Europe . Did You Know ?

The 17 of May is national day . In Norway and among those elsewhere who have Norwegian ancestry , the day is known as mai Seventeenth May . In in New Zealand , the day is celebrated as well . Being at similar latitudes as Norway and Iceland , Alaska is cold . As noted in the text above , like Norway and Iceland , Alaska has fjords . Misty Fjords National Monument and Fjords National Park are two regions established for the protection of these Pakistan has the most glaciers in the world . CITED AND ADDITIONAL BIBLIOGRAPHY Am , Kay . 2018 . Top Beaches in All About Iceland Blog . May , Terri . 2019 . Beaches in Norway to Swim and Surf . March 12 , I 626520 . Wikipedia Contributors . 2019 . List of Countries by Average Yearly Temperature . Wikipedia . Foundation . April ,