Christchurch, New Zealand

Christchurch is one of the largest cities and an important urban center located on the eastern part of the South Island of New Zealand, in the Southern Hemisphere. The city is one of the largest in the South Island. It is situated on the shores of the South Pacific Ocean. The total area of Christchurch city slightly exceeds 550 square miles, and the city is the capital of the Canterbury region. Christchurch is bordered by Pegasus Bay in the north and by the Waimakariri River along the northern part of the municipal area. The distance from Christchurch to the large cities of the country is the following: Wellington is situated about 190 miles northeast of the city, Auckland is located about 470 miles northeast of the city, and Dunedin can be found about 225 miles south of Christchurch. The northernmost settlement of the country, Cape Reinga, is situated about 930 miles away from the city. 

The city's elevation is estimated to be about 70 feet, and the area where Christchurch is located is slightly hilly and very green. The southern neighborhoods of the municipal area of the city are located much higher, as there is a small elevated area of low mountains there. The city is surrounded by large towns such as Kaiapoi, West Melton, Rolleston, Prebbleton, Springston, Lincoln, Tai Tapu, Governors Bay, Charteris Bay, Lyttelton, and a few others. The main neighborhoods within the municipal area include districts such as Belfast, Redwood, Bishopdale, Avonhead, Hei Hei, Hornby, Wigram, Riccarton and Upper Riccarton, Halswell, Spreydon, Addington, Sydenham, Woolston, New Brighton, Aranui, and many more. The very central part of the city mainly includes the downtown area and the large natural park, the Christchurch Botanic Gardens, located in the western part of the city center.