About New Zealand

Population: 4,475,000
Capital City: Wellington
National Language(s): English
Currency: New Zealand Dollar
Calling Code: +64

New Zealand is a country comprised of two adjacent islands in the South Pacific Ocean, southeast of mainland Australia. The country’s territory also encompasses some smaller nearby islands including Stewart Island, sometimes known by its original name Rakiura. The wider ‘Realm of New Zealand’ includes neighbouring South Pacific islands such as the Cook Islands and Tokelau, though some of the constituents are self governing. They are united through an arrangement in which the reigning monarch of New Zealand is head of state of all constituent countries. Formerly part of the British Empire, the monarch of New Zealand is in turn shared with the Commonwealth of Nations – an organization uniting many countries of the old Empire. New Zealand’s incumbent Queen is Elizabeth II.

Although the Queen is the recognised Head of State, in practice this is a largely ceremonial role. In effect the Queen appoints a Governor General to dissolve parliament prior to elections. The Governor also chairs a committee of elected ministers. All legislative powers are placed in the hands of a democratically elected parliament. Therefore New Zealand’s political system is essentially identical to that of the UK.

It is believed that New Zealand was first reached by Dutch ships in 1642. The Maori inhabitants of the island attacked the crew however, killing four members, and Maori New Zealanders retain their reputation for ferocity to this day. It wasn’t until James Cook’s voyage in 1769 that New Zealand was further explored. In 1840, British sovereignty was declared and in 1841 the land was recognised as a colony independent of New South Wales in Australia (with which it was previously grouped).

Through the 20th century New Zealand became increasingly independent and its population grew dramatically with the influx of European settlers. Around 80% of the country’s population today are of European descent (primarily British and Irish).

New Zealand fairs exceptionally well in international rankings, coming first in both the Global Peace Index and Corruption Perceptions Index. It is a prosperous country with high quality education and living standards.

The Maori population of New Zealand developed their distinctive culture over centuries before European settlement. The widely accepted viewpoint is that the Polynesian settlers arrived by canoe at some point in the 13th century.

Culture

One defining characteristic of New Zealand’s culture is its dramatic, sheer and diverse landscape. This untouched natural beauty made it the perfect backdrop for filming of the Lord of the Rings movies, and also the upcoming Hobbit movie. Mount Cook on the South Island is over 12,000 feet tall and is surrounded by a wilderness of forest and national park land.

New Zealand’s earliest known inhabitants are some of the most recent of any country in the world. This in part facilitated the evolution of highly unique and undisturbed flora and fauna. Whilst many species are now extinct (including the world’s largest bird of prey, the Haast’s eagle and the moa), New Zealand is home to dozens of endemic species.

New Zealanders are colloquially known as ‘Kiwis’ – a nickname derived from the flightless bird that inhabits the island.

New Zealand’s culture is heavily influenced by its colonial past and the British background of much of the population. Today the country has a distinctive yet western identity with music, art and food similar to that of Australia and the UK. The European influence has been merged with aspects of the Maori culture to weave a rich and unique national identity. Maori perform karakia (a type of prayer) and kapa haka (involving both song and dance).

Sport plays a big role in New Zealand and the country fields various competitive teams on the international stage. The rugby union team (the All Blacks) are arguably the strongest side in the world and are well known for their rendition of the haka before the start of matches. Cricket is also very popular in New Zealand with a successful national team dating back to 1832. New Zealand’s national soccer team (the All Whites) competed in the 2010 FIFA World Cup.

Safety and Special Considerations

Violent crime is rare but pickpocketing and thefts may target tourists. Keep your valuables in a safe place and remain weary leaving belongings in an unattended vehicle or hotel room.

If you plan to partake in extreme sports on your trip make sure you have comprehensive medical insurance that covers against sports accidents. Keep check of weather conditions and only use reputable companies.

It is illegal to carry many foods into New Zealand (including meat and dairy). Importing drugs is punishable by lengthy prison sentences.

New Zealand is in the most part highly tolerant of same sex relationships.

Entry Requirements

British citizens can enter New Zealand for up to 6 months without a visa assuming they do not intend to work during their stay. If you plan to enter employment you must acquire a visa for permission. US citizens are eligible to stay for 3 months but must also acquire a visa in order to work.

Respective embassies are located in London and Washington DC. Ensure your passport has a minimum of one month validity beyond the date of your departure.

Must See

Check out our recent New Zealand case study under ‘Tips and Features’ for an introduction to some of the country’s most breathtaking, must-visit locations!

Aerial view of the stunning New Zealand landscape

Credit: Steve Taylor

About Australia

Population: 22,900,000
Capital City: Canberra
National Language(s): English
Currency: Australian Dollar
Calling Code: +61

Australia is a sprawling country covering nearly 3,000,000 sq miles. Situated in the Southern Hemisphere Australia is classified in the region of Oceania which encompasses dozens of small islands distributed across the tropical Pacific Ocean. Depending on the definition, Oceania is sometimes considered to extend north and west to include the Southeast Asian nations of Indonesia, Malaysia and the Philippines.

To the southeast lies New Zealand – a country whose culture and history is inextricably entwined with that of Australia itself, whilst due east is a series of individual territories including the Solomon Islands, Fiji and New Caledonia surrounded by the vast, blue Pacific!

The major city of Brisbane on Australia’s east coast sits over 11,500km of sheer blue from Los Angeles on the opposite side of the ocean. Northern Australia’s latitude is shared with nations in the hemisphere including Mozambique, Zimbabwe, Mauritius, Brazil and Chile, all of which have land sitting on the 20th parallel south!

Australia’s modern history dates back to 1606 when Dutch ships sighted the mainland at the area now known as Cape York Peninsula in the northernmost tip of the country. The Dutch travelled the northern and western coastlines and referred to the land as ‘New Holland’ though never made settlement. The British explorer and navigator James Cook sailed the east coast much later in 1770 where ultimately the Crown Colony of New South Wales would be formed by Great Britain.

The first fleet of ships embarked in May 1787 with approximately half those on board British convicts. By 1828 Britain had also claimed Western Australia whilst the European population grew. In 1901 the Commonwealth of Australia was born and further autonomy was gained in 1942 when a range of constitutional ties with the UK were ended. Today the country is highly prosperous and ranks highly for measures including quality of life, healthcare, education and freedom.

It is also worth note that before European settlement the indigenous peoples (Aboriginals and Torres Strait Islanders) had inhabited the land for an estimated 45,000 years! These natives are believed to have migrated from the Southeast Asian countries.

Culture

Australia’s culture is highly westernized but at the same time retains unique and distinctive characteristics. The country’s history, environment and aboriginal roots have all played a role in shaping today’s national identity.

Most Australians are descended from European settlers and immigration through the 20th century was particularly rapid with total population increasing five fold over that timeframe. The indigenous Australian population today is believed to represent around 2.3% of the total.

Around two thirds of Australians identify themselves as Christians, whilst non-Christian religions account for just 6% of the population.

Dating back to the first European settlement, Australia’s art has been strongly entwined with the country’s beautiful and vivid landscape. Early practitioners included Albert Namatjira and Arthur Boyd.

Australia has an active tradition of music, ballet and theatre and many of its performing arts companies receive public funding supported by the government. There is a symphony orchestra in each major city, the iconic national opera house, and the company Opera Australia brought to prominence by Dame Joan Sutherland. Popular genres in the country include classical, jazz, and pop.

Australian literature has also been influenced by themes such as the landscape and the nation’s colonial past. In 1973, Patrick White won the Nobel Prize for Literature, and to this day remains the only Australian to have collected the award.

Sport is heavily enshrined in the Australian culture, and the country fields many highly successful international teams and athletes. Particular strengths include cricket, hockey, rugby (union and league), cycling and swimming. Aussie rules football and soccer are also popular.

Safety and Special Considerations

A common sense approach should be applied to safety through precautions such as keeping personal belongings in a safe place. Also, take care when withdrawing cash and walking in popular tourist spots to avoid opportunistic burglary.

Parts of Australia are exceptionally remote so if travelling the outback you should do so with an experienced local guide and be sure to inform the authorities, hostel and friends of your plans.

There are dozens of dangerous animal species in Australia including sharks, crocodiles, snakes and spiders. See the government’s Wet Tropics website for the pertinent information.

Australia operates a no tolerance policy on the possession of drugs.

Tropical cyclones do occur, typically between November and April in northern and western regions. Monitoring local weather reports is sensible.

Entry Requirements

US and EU citizens must obtain a visa before entering Australia. It is advisable to obtain an eVisitor visa direct through the Department of Immigration & Citizenship.

Alternatively, a visa can be obtained through the Electronic Travel Authority.

Must See

Australia’s natural, unspoiled beauty and warm climate make it a magnet for tourists, particularly those from other English speaking countries. The Great Barrier Reef is one compelling draw – and little wonder, this is the biggest series of reefs anywhere in the world. Covering some 130,000 sq miles, off the northeast coast of Australia, a remarkable structure of 3,000 individual reefs is composed of billions of living organisms! The description sounds almost unbelievable but the reef is arguably the world’s greatest ecological wonder.

The reef is home to dozens of diverse yet beautiful species including various kinds of whales, dolphins and turtles. A staggering 1,500 confirmed varieties of fish live on the reef, whilst over 200 species of bird visit and nest. Scuba diving on the Great Barrier Reef is something everyone should do in a lifetime!

The Sydney Opera House is one of the most striking, vast and beautiful pieces of design and architecture in modern history. Observing it from the outside alone is a treat but it shouldn’t be forgotten that it also stages the highest calibre of the performing arts! Drop in to enjoy an opera, theatre production or ballet and saviour one of the finest UNESCO World Heritage Sites on the planet.

Other noteworthy feats of architecture in Sydney include the Sydney Harbour Bridge, the Sydney Tower and the ANZ Stadium.

If you’re looking to delve deep into Australia’s Aboriginal roots you simply must take a tour of Uluru (Ayers Rock) in Central Australia. Revered by the native tribes, this UNESCO World Heritage Site is a striking example of Australia’s natural beauty. Access costs 25 AUD, for which you’ll receive a 3 day pass to soak up the surrounding nature and history. Whilst in this region be sure to check out Kings Canyon too!

UNESCO World Heritage Site – The Royal Exhibition Building

Credit: Brian

About Turkey

Population: 77,800,000
Capital City: Ankara
Official Language(s): Turkish and Kurdish
Currency: Turkish Lira
Calling Code: +90

The geographical terrain of Turkey would appeal to any tourist for contrary to the projection of its landscape as dry and dusty it is endowed with large lush agricultural valleys, rambling rivers, magnificent hills and plains laden with brightly lit flowers. It has a coastline close to 8500 kms making it one of the most attractive beach tourist destinations. It lays equi-distance between east and west of the world, for which reason it is called as a country that lies at the heart of east /west divide of the world. Its borders are adjacent to Greece, Bulgaria, Georgia, Armenia, Iran and Iraq and are covered by Black sea, the Mediterranean and The Aegean. The Black Sea Mountains are situated in the north and the Tarus Mountains surround the south from where Tigris and Euphrates rivers rise. The biblical mountain known as the Noah’s Ark has an astounding height of 5137 meters. Asia Minor constituting 97% of the country forms a long and wide peninsula comprising 1650km (1025 miles) from east to the west and 650 km (400 miles) from North to the South.

Culture

Historians start with the invasion of Turks into Anatolia dating back to 11C and keeping this as the beginning point it is synonymous with the culture and civilisation of nomadic Turks. It was followed by the rise of the Ottoman Turks, who asserted their supremacy by the end of 13C and reached its peak by the end of 16C from then onwards it declined. A multitude of factors as corruption, nepotism and the misrule of Sultans pulled down the Ottoman Empire. In the early 1900 the Young Turks finally dethroned Abdulhamit but although his replacement in Mehmet was only name sake, yet the country during their era (1908-18) saw a rapid development in agriculture, industry and other sectors. There was a change in the religious mind-set and the attitude towards women. It became secular and women were emancipated. Modern Turkey emerged after 1923 but was characterized by several coups. Two names who always would dominate the history of Turkey are Alexander the Great and Kemal Ataturk. The former was the greatest military leader the world has ever known, and the later one was the foremost reformer of modern Turkey.

Naturally, one would find the influence Anatolian civilisation in Turkey’s culture. Folk music is part and parcel of such a culture but what is more unique about it is that people create their own music, which is not written, but passed from one to another. Each region follows its own tradition in the type of costumes, use of instruments and the method of dancing. Each occasion is characterized a form of dancing suiting it. It is different for weddings, harvest or welcoming the guest. Horon, Kasik Oyunu and Kilic are the famously known ones which you should ask witness and participate.

Safety and Special Considerations

For visiting coastal resorts in the summer, light and casual clothing would suffice. If you would be in Black Sea Coasts, also, carrying a rain coat would become handy. For staying in inland Turkey and higher altitudes, prior to the onset of winter you would have to carry sweaters but after the onset you need woolen clothing and coat. If you are going to be in a coastal region or Istanbul during the winter, you would have to pack yourself with lighter warm clothes but do not forget to take a rain coat.

During a visit to religion palaces as a mosque, it is imperative for the women to take and wear a head scarf. Archeological and historical sites you would look smarter with sunglasses and hats, especially if you are there during the summer.

Otherwise, street crime is less but totally not devoid of it. Tourist should take care of their personal belongings and valuable as pick pocketing or deceptive money luring activities are common. Accepting food from a stranger could land you into the risk of getting mugged. Coastal areas seem to be more vulnerable to these crimes.

Entry Requirements

It varies from country to a country but for whomever a visa is needed to enter Turkey it is necessary to file the application in person and at least 30 days in advance from the date you intend entering the country. Passports should have a minimum validity of 90 days when the Visa application is made.

Must See

In general, Turkey is a destination you can visit and enjoy in any part of the year. Since each one may have a particular area of interest the following tips would be helpful. Destinations to be visited could be chosen from Istanbul, Mammaries, Antalya, Ankara, Izmir, and Cappadocia.

Lovers of beach would find April to June and September to October the best periods in a year for during these months the shores of Aegean and Mediterranean are ideal for sunbathing. Though the sun may be shining bright yet the heat would not cause discomfort. Those who like sightseeing roughly the same months would suit them for during this period Central Anatolia is a lot cooler. Easter Anatolia’s weather would be conducive in May, June, September and early October.

In case you are planning to visit during the rest of months, be ready for doing your sightseeing under heavy rains.

Whatever may be the time of your visit, you would not have a dull moment for there are a variety of activities, as Blue Voyage, Hot Springs and Spas, Yachting, Rafting, etc. that would keep you engaged and absorbed.

A view over historic Turkey

Credit: Greenwich

About Albania

Population: 3,164,000
Capital City: Tirana
Official Language(s): Albanian
Currency: Albanian Lek
Calling Code: +355

Albania is a Balkan country located in South Eastern Europe. A former Communist state since 1992 it has moved towards its current democratic political system and free market economy. Albania’s beautiful shoreline merges the boundaries of both the Ionian and Adriatic Seas. With a land area of around 11,000 sq miles, the country neighbours Montenegro to the north, Kosovo to the northeast, Macedonia to the east and Greece to the south. Just across the Adriatic Sea lies Italy – only 150km apart, it is possible to take a ferry from Brindisi, Italy to Vlore in a journey taking approximately 4.5 hours across the Strait of Otranto.

Today, Albania is an emerging democratic country with membership of NATO and the United Nations. In 2009 the country made formal its candidacy for European Union membership and in November of that year the European Commission began to assess Albania’s preparation for negotiations to take place.

Known inhabitation of the land that makes up today’s Albania dates back millennia to the Illyrian people. Ancient relics of the country’s long history exist today, including the remains of Butrint, an ancient Greek settlement and UNESCO World Heritage Site in southern Albania.

Albania gained its independence from the Ottoman Empire in 1912 after centuries of Turkish control. After the Second World War Albania was politically aligned with the Soviet Union and became a strict Communist state lasting right up until the 1990s.

Climate

Coastal Albania has a Mediterranean climate with mild winters and warm summers. The climate inland is affected by the more mountainous terrain and is therefore typically cooler in the winter. The average temperature difference between North and South is as much as 5 degrees Celsius across the year.

Culture

A large majority of the population is ethnically Albanian. Small minorities include pockets of Greeks, Serbs and Bulgarians. There is very little data regarding the religion of Albanians and respective estimates suggest differing percentages of Muslims, Christians and atheists. However, the country is generally regarded to be predominantly Muslim.

Irrespective of their religious affiliation, Albanians are often considered to place a high importance on hospitality, generosity and loyalty. Folk music is especially popular within the country and often follows themes of patriotism and history.

The Albanian language is classified as Indo-European.

Safety and Special Considerations

The political climate in the wider Balkans region remains tense but the area is largely peaceful. The disputed territory of Kosovo is primarily Albanian but the border in the northeast should be avoided due to poor roads and infrastructure. Unexploded mines likely still exist in this region.

The rest of the country is generally safe public security is good. Organised crime and violence are a problem in some parts of Tirana and so caution should be exercised at all times. Overall, however, security is excellent in the capital city and Albanians are hospitable to visitors.

Albania’s roads (particularly in rural regions) are in a bad state of repair and large quantities of motorists have an aggressive style of driving. Care should be taken at all times to drive safely and avoid hostility.

Entry Requirements

Those from America and the EU do not require a visa to enter Albania. If you plan to stay longer than 90 days in any given 180 day period you must apply for a Residency Permit at a police station.

A passport with a minimum of six months validity is required for entry and exit.

Must See

• Saranda in the south has beautiful clear waters and white, sandy beaches.
• Durres on the Adriatic coastline has lovely architecture and beaches.
• Tirana is a large, bustling, westernized city. It is home to many cultural and architectural sights, as well as great restaurants and clubs.
• The city of Kruje is worth a visit if only to look around the Skanderbeg Museum and castle.
• If you enjoy climbing and mountainous regions, Korca is the place for you.

 

Church in Pogradec, Albania

Credit: Michael Sujka