| Auckland (picture from ) |  |
Auckland
Auckland
This map of Auckland shows some of the sights of interests and attractions to be found in and around the city of Auckland. Each pin on the Google map indicates a location within Auckland. At each place there is a 360 panorama showing you the place of interest and everything around it. Each panoramic iamge is accompanied by some local and travel information, providing a unique guide to Auckland. This guide will continue to grow as more panoramas are added to the map. As this is a Google map, you can switch between the street map and satellite image views, scroll around and zoom. Explore the delights of Auckland or add your own panoramic images to the collection.Auckland is the principle point of entry into New Zealand, with the busiest airport in the country. The city lies within Greater Auckland, about half way up North Island. Auckland is on the coast with the Hauraki Gulf of the Pacific Ocean to the east. Built on a narrow isthmus between the Manukau Harbour on the Tasman Sea and the Waitemata Harbour, Auckland is one of the few cities in the world to have harbours on two separate major bodies of water.
Auckland was settled by the Maori peoples in the 14C, when it was called Tāmaki-makau-rau. The remains of many native pā (fortified villages) can still be found on volcanic peaks in the area. When the Europeans arrived, they established Auckland as the capital of New Zealand. This privilege later moved to Wellington as it is nearer to South Island. Today the city has sprawled to cover much of the surrounding bays, and continues to grow. The public transport system is still pretty rudimentary, making it difficult for visitors without their own transport to explore areas outside of the popular tourist routes.
Auckland is known as the 'City of Sails', there are more sailing boats per capita here then anywhere else in the world, and the harbour is often full of yachts producing spectacular sights. Nearly 50% of the registered yachtsmen of New Zealand come from Auckland. There are numerous marinas, lined with restaurants and bars and Auckland has hosted the Americas Cup.
