Marlborough Sounds

The Marlborough Sounds are an extensive network of waterways and peninsulas. They are located at the northeastern tip of New Zealand's South Island and are administratively complete for the Marlborough region. You are one of the tourist and infrastructure important centers of Pacific State dar.

Formation

Although the Marlborough Sounds are usually referred to as fjord -like and marketed, they were not formed by glaciers. In reality, they were formed when earth moving the ground throughout the area absenkten slowly and the water thus was able to penetrate into the low-lying valleys. Today only the higher elevations rise from the sea. This form is commonly called a coast Ria.

The Maori mythology explains the origin of the peninsulas on bildlichere way: So shall the legendary Polynesian discoverers of New Zealand, Kupe, who once fought against a giant octopus. He is said to have stretched his hand towards the South Island, so that they support him. His fingers left deep furrows in the earth, which were filled with water and now form the arms of the sea.

Geography

The whole area covers about 4000 km ² including the numerous arms of the sea, islands and peninsulas. They are bounded by the Tasman Bay to the west and Cloudy Bay in the southeast. The land areas are covered mostly by endemic rainforest and very sparsely populated. At the bays there are secluded, sandy beaches. The largest bays are the Queen Charlotte Sound, Pelorus Sound and Kenepuru the sound. Two islands include the entire area a: In the southeastern region, Arapawa Iceland is located in the northwest and the eighth largest island of New Zealand, D' Urville Iceland.

Population

In the main town of the area in Picton, and yet it is the most important port in the region. The 2001 just over 3,000 inhabitants counting village located at the southern end of the Queen Charlotte Sounds and forms the northern terminus of the New Zealand railway and road network in the South Island. The little east of Picton Waikawa alternate location, the second most important settlement in the area dar. Near the place is the Waikawa Marina, one of the largest marinas in New Zealand. Overall, the two towns tourism centers, which are starting points for a variety of sports. A third largest town is the end point of Havelock Pelorus Sound with about 500 inhabitants. Many of the numerous, sometimes very small settlements in the Marlborough Sounds are accessible only by boat and from the air.

Economy and infrastructure

All passenger and car ferries from Wellington on the North Island run into the harbor of the busy junction of Picton. On their journey the ships pass through after the Cook road all the Queen Charlotte Sound.

The two main pillars of the regional economy are tourism and agriculture in the form of aquaculture, so the fish and shrimp farming. While lively waterway tourism boosts and more people are attracted to the unique area, destroy it provoked stern waves, the fish farms sustainable. That's why 2006 speed limits along the entire length of Queen Charlotte Sounds were introduced. Thus, because even fast catamarans have no significant time advantage compared to more conventional ships, the operator of the Lynx fast ferry had to stop the operation.

For the tourists various water sports such as sailing and kayaking are very popular ride, while hikers prefer the Queen Charlotte Track.