Auckland Islands archipelago ( English Auckland Islands ) - a volcanic archipelago in the Pacific Ocean , located south of New Zealand .
| Auckland Archipelago | |
|---|---|
| English Auckland islands | |
 Auckland Archipelago - a view from space | |
| Specifications | |
| Number of islands | eight |
| Largest island | Auckland |
| total area | 625.6 km² |
| Highest point | more than 600 m |
| Population | 0 pax (2012) |
| Location | |
| Water area | Pacific Ocean |
| A country |
|
| Region | Outer islands |
This group of islands is considered the New Zealand Outer Islands and is the territory of New Zealand, however, it is not considered part of any region or county, but is directly controlled by a special body - English. Area Outside Territorial Authority .
Auckland Islands - UNESCO World Heritage Site [1] [2] .
Content
Geography
The area of the islands is 625.6 km² . Height - more than 600 meters above sea level . The archipelago consists of one large island of the same name , the island of Adams , as well as small islands and rocks :
- Auckland Island - ( ), 510 km²
- Adams Island - ( ), 97.3 km²
- Enderby Island - ( )
- Disappointment Island - ( )
- Ewing Island - ( )
- Rose Island - ( )
- Dundas Island - ( )
- Green Island
Flora and Fauna
Flora
The plant world is represented by subantarctic crooked forests (due to strong winds ) and is covered with grass .
Fauna
The fauna is represented mainly by marine species: New Zealand sea lion , sea elephant , fur seal ; penguins and other seabirds are widespread.
In the XIX – XX centuries, a number of mammalian species were introduced from the outside. In the 1990s, environmentalists in one way or another destroyed cows, sheep, goats, dogs, possums and rabbits. However, there were wild cats and pigs. The last rabbits and mice were poisoned in 1993 on Enderby Island. It is curious that the rats did not manage to breed here, although they are almost everywhere present on other islands in these latitudes.
A marine reserve has been established on the islands.
History
There is some evidence that Polynesian sailors were the first people to visit these islands. On the island of Enderby (the northern part of the archipelago), archaeologists found traces of a Polynesian settlement dating from about the 13th - 14th centuries. This is the southernmost Polynesian settlement ever found by scientists.
It is assumed that for Europeans the archipelago was discovered in 1806 by Abraham Bristow .
Population
The islands do not have permanent residents, but are often visited by scientific expeditions. In 1942 - 1945, a polar station operated on the main island. In the 19th century , several unsuccessful attempts were made to organize settlements, which were severely hindered by the harsh climate .
Notes
- ↑ World Heritage. Object 877
- ↑ Subantarctic islands of the site also include the Snares Islands, Bounty Islands, Antipodes Islands and Campbell Islands
Literature
- Auckland // Nicholas - Olonki. - M .: Soviet Encyclopedia, 1954. - P. 601. - ( Great Soviet Encyclopedia : [in 51 vols.] / Ch. Ed. B. A. Vvedensky ; 1949-1958, vol. 30).