Few countries enjoy New Zealand's sterling, well-deserved reputation for endlessly beautiful scenery and comfortable infrastructure. Easy to get around in, deeply welcoming in a down home way, it offers the contrasts beloved of eager travelers, from looks at traditional and modern Maori culture to world-class cuisine.

• TOTAL AREA: 268,680 sq km

• LAND AREA: 268,021 sq km

• WATER AREA: 659 sq. km

• POPULATION: 4,076,140

• RELIGIONS: Anglican 14.9%, Roman Catholic 12.4%, Presbyterian 10.9%, Methodist 2.9%, Pentecostal 1.7%, Baptist 1.3%, other Christian 9.4%, other 3.3%, unspecified 17.2%, none 26%

• LANGUAGES: English (official), Maori (official)

• GOVERNMENT TYPE: Parliamentary Democracy

• CAPITAL CITY: Wellington

• OFFICIAL CURRENCY: New Zealand dollar (NZD)

• TIME ZONE: GMT/UTC +12