Many sheep and no corruption: what you need to know before traveling to New Zealand

Beautiful in every sense, New Zealand is on the "must-see" list of thousands of people from all over the world. However, not everyone is aware of how unique this country is. Here are just a few facts that will change your attitude toward this country forever.

• The history of New Zealand began relatively recently in terms of the historical scale. The Maori tribes were the first to arrive on these islands in the 13th century.
• In total, the country has more than 700 islands of various sizes. However, most of them are uninhabited. Thus, people can only be found in 60 of them. By the way, some islands are forbidden to visit because they are considered unsafe for people.

• However, in most of New Zealand, there are no poisonous snakes, predatory animals, and not even mosquitoes. This is a great advantage for many tourists who love the outdoors but fear for their lives and health.
• By the way, one-third of the country's territory is occupied by national parks. Special authorities monitor their preservation and take their work extremely seriously. So at the entrance to protected areas, designated individuals treat visitors' shoes with a spray that kills bacteria.

• Overall, this country boasts a very high standard of living. It has long been recognized as one of the most peaceful and secure nations globally, with minimal corruption.
• The government takes significant measures to ensure that all its citizens have equal rights. For instance, New Zealand was among the first countries globally to legalize same-sex marriage, recognize sign language as an official language, and grant the right to vote to all adult citizens, irrespective of gender.
• New Zealand voluntarily abandoned nuclear energy in 1987, a decision unprecedented at the time. This means that there are no nuclear power plants in the country today, and entry is prohibited for nuclear-powered ships or ships with nuclear weapons. Numerous restrictions are imposed for the safety and well-being of the country's residents.

• Such an attitude towards citizens yields results. In New Zealand, you won't see homeless people. All residents receive decent salaries, and there are practically no unemployed individuals here. By the way, there are also no stray animals, as they are quickly captured and either given to families or taken to well-equipped shelters that are almost 100% funded by the state.
• Adopting a child here is also challenging. Couples have to wait years for this opportunity. The reason is that babies are almost never abandoned here, and orphanages simply do not exist.

• During your first visit to New Zealand, you will likely be surprised by the locals' unhurried way of life, which permeates all aspects. For example, completing paperwork quickly, securing a restaurant table for the same day, or getting a doctor's appointment within a week is nearly impossible. Interestingly, the word "urgent" also has a unique meaning here. If you see a job vacancy marked as such, the employee will be hired in about six months and not earlier. So, anyone who dislikes deadlines will likely appreciate the pace of life here.
• The beauty of New Zealand not only attracts tourists but also filmmakers. The iconic films "The Hobbit" and "The Lord of the Rings" were shot here. The state even has a minister dedicated to everything related to these films. In particular, this official ensures that Hobbiton, specially created as a film set, is not damaged and can continue to welcome visitors.

• The climate and geography of New Zealand, by the way, are the most diverse in the world. The country is home to many birds and animals, boasting more species of penguins than anywhere else on the planet. New Zealanders take great pride in their nature and actively protect it. For instance, burning bonfires is prohibited, so picnics must be held in specially designated areas, or visitors can bring a grill or portable barbecue.
• During your trip, you will likely encounter numerous sheep. Don't be surprised; there are ten times more of them than people here. They are bred in almost every village.

• And now, onto the less pleasant aspects. Up to 400 earthquakes occur in New Zealand every year. Most of them do not pose a threat, but occasionally, the tremors can be very strong.
• There are two major supervolcanoes in the country. If an eruption occurs, it could completely devastate this amazing country and release so much ash into the atmosphere that it would block sunlight for several years, potentially leading to catastrophic consequences for many species. Fortunately, this scenario has never occurred in history.

Earlier, OBOZREVATEL told you what surprises tourists in Italy.

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