Auckland Island

Auckland Iceland ( māori: Motu Maha ) is the largest island belonging to New Zealand archipelago of Aucklandinseln, officially called the Auckland Islands. The main island it bears the same name as the island group, which was named in 1806 by Captain Abraham Bristow at their discovery in honor of William Eden, 1st Baron Auckland Auckland Lord 's.

Geography

Auckland Iceland is located about 465 km south of the South Island of New Zealand in the southern Pacific Ocean. With 510 km ², it is by far the largest island of the archipelago represents the island has in its north - south extent a length of 40 km and measures at its widest point about 12 km.

The very rugged and mountainous island is marked by steep cliffs of basalt on the west coast, which can rise up to 365 m, and numerous fjords and bays on the east coast. The highest elevation of 659 m can be found with the Peak Cavern approximately in the middle of the island. The westernmost point of Iceland Auckland, Cape Lovitt, is also the westernmost point of New Zealand. At Port Ross, a fjord in the north- east of the island, is the historical settlement of Hardwicke. She was the center of a settlement attempt by British immigrants in 1850, which, however, was abandoned after only 2 years and 9 months. South of Auckland Iceland, separated by the Strait Carnley Harbour, is Adams Iceland, northeast of Enderby her Iceland, the third largest island of the archipelago. The fourth largest island, Disappointment Iceland, is located just 4 km to the west.

Flora and Fauna

Auckland Iceland is known for a feral pig breed, the Auckland Iceland Pigs. They were brought in 1807 by the first Wal- robes and hunters on the island, feral and lived some one hundred years largely undisturbed on the island. Since they inflicted heavy damage to the indigenous flora and fauna, it was decided their elimination in 1999 by the New Zealand Department of Conservation. Only 17 pigs survived and were applied to give the race on the New Zealand mainland spent. Because of the many entrained species are the endemic birds of Aucklandinseln, such as the Aucklandente (Anas aucklandica ), not on the main island before. The sheltered bays in the east of the island are home to the South Island - iron wood ( Metrosideros umbellata ), which forms the southernmost forests of New Zealand here.