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CHRISTCHURCH - NEW ZEALAND
Christchurch is a city on the east
coast of the South Island of New Zealand.
The city is named after the cathedral college of Christ
Church in the University of Oxford. Its Maori name is
Otautahi, from the Maori chief Tautahi who had a settlement
on the banks of the Avon River.
Geography
Christchurch is the main city in Canterbury, New Zealand. It lies at the
southern end of Pegasus Bay, in the middle of the east coast of the South
Island, between Banks Peninsula and the Canterbury Plains. The official "city"
is bounded, to the east by the Pacific Ocean coast and the estuary of the
Avon and Heathcote rivers, to the south and south-east by the volcanic
slopes of the Port Hills, and in the north by the Waimakariri River. The
urban area extends a little further.
The large number of public parks and many well developed residential gardens
with many trees throughout the city have given it the name of The Garden
City. Hagley Park and the Christchurch Botanic Gardens are located in the
centre of the city, with Hagley Park being a site for sports such as golf,
netball, and rugby, and for open air concerts by local bands and the
Christchurch Symphony Orchestra.
With much of the city being flat and only a few metres above sea level,
spectacular views can be obtained from almost any high building. At these
low elevations the city appears more like a forest with only a few buildings
visible, rather than a major city.
Climate
Christchurch has a temperate climate, with temperatures in January ranging
from an average minimum of 12°C to an average maximum of 21°C, and from 1°C
to 10°C in July. Summer temperatures are often moderated by a sea breeze
from the northeast. A notable feature of the weather is the nor'wester, a
hot föhn wind that is associated with increases in suicide and domestic
violence, and occasionally reaches gale force and causes widespread damage
to property. In winter, it is not uncommon for snow to fall.
On cold winter nights, the surrounding hills, clear skies, and frosty calm
conditions often combine to form a stable inversion layer above the city
that traps vehicle exhausts and smoke from domestic fires to cause smog.
While not as bad as smog in Los Angeles, California, Christchurch smog has
often been known to exceed World Health Organisation recommendations for air
pollution. The city has strict requirements for domestic home heating in
order to limit air pollution.
Demographics
On 6 March 2001, the area administered by the Christchurch City Council had
a population of 316,227, making it the second largest in New Zealand, and
the largest city in the South Island. The Christchurch Urban Area is the
third largest in the country, after Auckland and Wellington.
The population is expected to grow to approximately 358,000 by 2021.
Economy
Local economy was based on the agricultural produce of the Canterbury plains.
Early manufacturers processed agricultural produce, especially sheep and
dairy products, into finished products. The early presence of the University
of Canterbury and the heritage of the city's academic institutions working
in association local businesses has fostered a number of technology based
industries. The region now has a range of "new economy" sectors.
Tourism is also a significant factor of the local economy. The closeness of
the ski-fields and other attractions of the Southern Alps and hotels and an
airport that meets international standards make Christchurch a stopover
destination for many tourists.
History
Archeological evidence found in a cave at Redcliffs indicates that the
Christchurch area was first settled by moa-hunting tribes. Maori oral
history tells that humans began living in the area around 1000 AD. These
first inhabitants were followed by the Waitaha who are thought to have
migrated from the east coast of the North Island in the 16th century. This
migration was joined by the Ngati Mamoe and Ngai Tahu and continued until
about 1830.
Although there were European settlers from the 1830s, notably the Deans at
Riccarton, what are regarded as the First Four Ships were chartered by the
Canterbury Association, and arrived on December 16, 1850 bringing the first
English settlers to Lyttelton Harbour. The four ships were The Randolph, The
Charlotte Jane, Sir George Seymour, and Cressy.
Captain Thomas, the Canterbury Association's Chief Surveyor surveyed the
surrounding area. By December 1849 he had commissioned the construction of a
road from Port Cooper, later called Lyttelton, to Christchurch via Sumner.
However this proved more difficult than expected and road construction was
stopped while a steep foot and pack horse track was constructed over the
hill between the port and the Heathcote valley, where access to the site of
the proposed settlement could be gained. This track became known as the
Bridle Path, because the path was so steep that pack horses needed to be led
by the bridle.
Goods that were too heavy or bulky to be transported by pack horse over the
Bridle Path were shipped by small sailing vessels some eight miles by water
around the coast and up the estuary to Ferrymead. New Zealand's first public
railway line was opened from Ferrymead to Christchurch in 1863. Due to the
difficulties in travelling over the Port Hills and the dangers associated
with shipping navigating the Sumner bar, a railway tunnel was bored through
the Port Hills to Lyttelton, opening in 1867.
Christchurch became a city by Royal Charter on July 31, 1856, making it the
oldest city in New Zealand.
Christchurch was the seat of provincial administration for the province of
Canterbury.
A road tunnel was constructed between Lyttelton and Christchurch in the
early 1960s.
In 1974 Christchurch was host to the Commonwealth Games.
Antarctic Gateway
Christchurch has played a significant role in the history of Antarctic
exploration. Both Robert Falcon Scott and Ernest Shackleton used the port of
Lyttelton as the final departure point for expeditions, and there is a
statue of Scott (sculpted by his widow) in the central city. Christchurch
International Airport serves as the major base for the New Zealand and
Italian Antarctic programmes as well as the United States Antarctic Program.
The International Antarctic Centre provides both base facilities and a
museum and visitor centre.
Tourist Attractions
Deans Bush, the Botanic Gardens, and Hagley Park.
Canterbury Museum.
Ferrymead Historic Park.
International Antarctic Centre.
Christ's College, one of New Zealand's leading public schools.
Christ Church (the Anglican cathedral), the centre of the Church of England
settlement which grew into the city.
The Roman Catholic Basilica, which opened in 1905, is one of the most
beautiful churches in the Southern Hemisphere
Christchurch City Art Gallery (opened 2003).
Historic electric tram.
The Christchurch Arts Centre and site of "Ernest Rutherford's Den".
The Provincial Chambers.
The Timeball Station in Lyttelton.
The New Brighton Pier.
Heathcote Gondola.
The Summit Road along the top of the Port Hills and Godley Head Road
provides numerous spectacular views of the area and features the buildings
created as wayside rests, the Sign of the Takahe (now a function centre) and
Sign of the Kiwi.
Walkways include the Bridle Path and Whitewash Head, a bird sanctuary.
Colleges and universities
A number of tertiary education institutions have campuses in Christchurch,
or in the surrounding areas.
Christchurch College of Education
Christchurch Polytechnic Institute of Technology
Christchurch School of Medicine and Health Sciences (Otago University)
Lincoln University
Southern Institute of Technology
University of Canterbury
Transportation
Christchurch is served by Christchurch International Airport and by buses
(local and long-distance) and trains.
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