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Christchurch is a city on the east coast of the South Island of New Zealand.
The city is named after the cathedral college of Christ Church in the University of Oxford. Its Maori name is Otautahi, from the Maori chief Tautahi who had a settlement on the banks of the Avon River.
| Christchurch | ||
|---|---|---|
| Urban Area | Population | 358,000 |
| Extent | the city, Kaiapoi, Prebbleton, Lyttelton & Diamond Harbour |
|
| Territorial Authority |
Name | Christchurch City |
| Population | 338,800 | |
| Extent | Waimakariri River to the
Templeton |
|
| See also | Waimakariri District
Selwyn District |
|
| Regional Council | Name | Canterbury |
Christchurch is the main city in Canterbury, New Zealand. It lies at the southern end of Pegasus BayPegasus Bay is on the east coast of the South Island of New Zealand. The bay has a sandy beach and runs from Banks Peninsula to the Waipara River mouth. The city of Christchurch is at the southern end of the bay. The Pegasus was the name of the sailing sh, in the middle of the east coast of the South Island, between Banks Peninsula and the Canterbury PlainsThe Canterbury Plains is an area bounded by the foothills of the Southern Alps and the east coast of the South Island of New Zealand. They are centered aound the city of Christchurch in the Canterbury region. Their northern extremes are at the foot of the. The official "city" is bounded, to the east by the Pacific OceanFor other meanings of pacific see pacific (disambiguation). The Pacific Ocean (from the Spanish Pacifico meaning peaceful is the world's largest body of water. It encompasses a third of the Earth's surface, having an area of 179. 7 million km² (69. 4 mill coast and the estuary of the Avon and HeathcoteThe Heathcote River lies within the city boundaries of Christchurch, New Zealand. It drains into an estuary which it shares with the Avon River before draining into Pegasus Bay. Canterbury, New Zealand New Zealand rivers. rivers, to the south and south-east by the volcanic slopes of the Port HillsThe Port Hills are a range of hills running approximately east-west, between the port of Lyttelton and the city of Christchurch in Canterbury, New Zealand. The Port Hills are the northern rim of an ancient volcanic cone, one of two from which Banks Penins, and in the north by the Waimakariri River. The urban area extends a little further.
The large number of public parks and many well developed residential gardens with many trees throughout the city have given it the name of The Garden City. Hagley Park and the Christchurch Botanic Gardens are located in the centre of the city, with Hagley Park being a site for sports such as golf, netball, and rugby, and for open air concerts by local bands and the Christchurch Symphony Orchestra .
With much of the city being flat and only a few metres above sea level, spectacular views can be obtained from almost any high building. At these low elevations the city appears more like a forest with only a few buildings visible, rather than a major city.
The centre of the city, at least in public perception,is Cathedral Square, directly in front of the Anglican cathedral, Christ Church.