# South Island

> one of the two main New Zealand islands

**Wikidata**: [Q120755](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q120755)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/South_Island)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/south-island

## Summary

The South Island, also known as Te Waipounamu in Māori, is one of the two main islands of New Zealand, located in the southwest Pacific Ocean. It is the larger of the two main islands, covering a significant portion of New Zealand's total land area, and is known for its diverse landscapes, including mountains, forests, and fjords. The South Island is part of the country of New Zealand, which is a sovereign state and Commonwealth realm with a parliamentary monarchy form of government.

## Key Facts

- **Official Name**: South Island (Te Waipounamu in Māori)
- **Aliases**: The Mainland, Southern Island, Te Waipounamu
- **Population**: 1,115,800 (as of the provided data)
- **Coordinates**: Latitude -43.6°, Longitude 170.4°
- **Country**: New Zealand
- **Part of**: Zealandia, a mostly submerged mass of continental crust containing New Zealand and New Caledonia
- **Highest Point**: Aoraki / Mount Cook (3,724 metres), located in the Southern Alps
- **Lowest Point**: Taieri Plain (-2 metres)
- **Contains**: Mount Brewster, a mountain in the Southern Alps
- **Related Event**: 1929 Murchison earthquake, which occurred in the South Island
- **Sitelink Count**: 97
- **Wikipedia Title**: South Island
- **Wikidata Description**: One of the two main New Zealand islands

## FAQs

**What is the South Island?**
The South Island is one of the two main islands of New Zealand, located in the southwest Pacific Ocean. It is known for its diverse landscapes, including mountains, forests, and fjords, and is part of the country of New Zealand.

**What is the population of the South Island?**
As of the provided data, the population of the South Island is approximately 1,115,800.

**What are the coordinates of the South Island?**
The South Island is located at latitude -43.6° and longitude 170.4°.

**What is the highest point on the South Island?**
The highest point on the South Island is Aoraki / Mount Cook, which stands at 3,724 metres and is located in the Southern Alps.

**What is the lowest point on the South Island?**
The lowest point on the South Island is the Taieri Plain, which is -2 metres below sea level.

**What is Zealandia?**
Zealandia is a mostly submerged mass of continental crust that contains New Zealand and New Caledonia. The South Island is part of Zealandia.

**What is Mount Brewster?**
Mount Brewster is a mountain located in the Southern Alps on the South Island of New Zealand.

**What was the 1929 Murchison earthquake?**
The 1929 Murchison earthquake was a significant seismic event that occurred in the South Island of New Zealand.

## Why It Matters

The South Island is a crucial part of New Zealand, contributing significantly to the country's natural beauty, cultural heritage, and economic activities. Its diverse landscapes, including the Southern Alps and fjords, make it a major tourist destination and a vital part of New Zealand's identity. The island's unique geography and ecosystems support a variety of flora and fauna, some of which are endemic to the region. Additionally, the South Island plays a significant role in New Zealand's agricultural and tourism industries, contributing to the country's economy and global reputation.

## Notable For

- **Diverse Landscapes**: Home to a variety of landscapes, including mountains, forests, lakes, beaches, and fjords.
- **Highest Point in New Zealand**: Aoraki / Mount Cook, the highest peak in New Zealand, is located on the South Island.
- **Unique Wildlife**: The South Island is home to unique and endemic species, contributing to New Zealand's biodiversity.
- **Tourism Hub**: Known for its stunning natural beauty, the South Island is a major tourist destination, attracting visitors from around the world.
- **Cultural Heritage**: The South Island has a rich Māori cultural heritage, with Te Waipounamu being the Māori name for the island.
- **Geological Significance**: Part of Zealandia, a mostly submerged mass of continental crust, making it geologically significant.
- **Historical Events**: The site of significant historical events, such as the 1929 Murchison earthquake.

## Body

### Geography and Environment

The South Island is one of the two main islands of New Zealand, located in the southwest Pacific Ocean. It is the larger of the two main islands, covering a significant portion of New Zealand's total land area of 268,021 square kilometres. The island is known for its diverse landscapes, which include mountains, forests, lakes, beaches, and fjords. The highest point on the South Island is Aoraki / Mount Cook, which stands at 3,724 metres and is located in the Southern Alps. The lowest point is the Taieri Plain, which is -2 metres below sea level.

The South Island is part of Zealandia, a mostly submerged mass of continental crust that contains New Zealand and New Caledonia. This geological feature makes the South Island significant in terms of its geology and natural history. The island's coordinates are latitude -43.6° and longitude 170.4°, placing it entirely in the Southern Hemisphere.

### Population and Demographics

As of the provided data, the population of the South Island is approximately 1,115,800. This population contributes to the overall population of New Zealand, which is estimated to be around 5,307,800 as of 2024. The South Island's population is diverse, with a mix of ethnic groups, including European New Zealanders, Māori, Asian New Zealanders, and Pacific Islanders.

### Cultural Heritage

The South Island has a rich Māori cultural heritage, with Te Waipounamu being the Māori name for the island. The Māori language and traditions are an integral part of the island's cultural identity. The South Island is also known for its unique wildlife, including endemic species that contribute to New Zealand's biodiversity.

### Tourism and Economy

The South Island is a major tourist destination, known for its stunning natural beauty and diverse landscapes. The island's tourism industry plays a significant role in New Zealand's economy, attracting visitors from around the world. The South Island is also home to important agricultural activities, contributing to the country's economy and global reputation.

### Historical Events

The South Island has been the site of significant historical events, such as the 1929 Murchison earthquake. This earthquake was a major seismic event that occurred in the South Island, highlighting the island's geological activity and significance.

### Related Entities

The South Island is part of the country of New Zealand, which is a sovereign state and Commonwealth realm with a parliamentary monarchy form of government. The island is also related to other entities, such as Mount Brewster, a mountain located in the Southern Alps on the South Island. Additionally, the South Island is part of Zealandia, a mostly submerged mass of continental crust that contains New Zealand and New Caledonia.

### Administrative Divisions

The South Island is divided into several regions, which are part of New Zealand's administrative divisions. These regions include Canterbury, Otago, Southland, Tasman, Nelson, Marlborough, and West Coast. Each region has its own administrative structure and contributes to the overall governance and development of the South Island.

## References

1. archINFORM
2. Virtual International Authority File
3. [Source](https://github.com/JohnMarkOckerbloom/ftl/blob/master/data/wikimap)
4. MusicBrainz
5. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
6. [Source](https://gazette.govt.nz/notice/id/2013-ln6727)
7. GeoNames
8. Quora
9. [archINFORM](https://www.archinform.net/service/wd_aiort.php)
10. National Library of Israel Names and Subjects Authority File
11. KBpedia