South Canterbury facts for kids
South Canterbury is a special part of the Canterbury Region in the South Island of New Zealand. It stretches from the Rangitata River in the north to the Waitaki River in the south. The Waitaki River also forms the border with the Otago Region. To the east, you'll find the Pacific Ocean, and to the west, the tall peaks of the Southern Alps.
Even though its exact borders aren't officially set, the name "South Canterbury" is used by many groups. For example, there's the South Canterbury District Health Board and the South Canterbury rugby team. It's one of four main areas in Canterbury, along with Mid Canterbury, North Canterbury, and the city of Christchurch.
Exploring South Canterbury's Landscape
South Canterbury has many different types of land. You can find high mountains and slopes, especially around the beautiful lakes of Tekapo and Pukaki. These lakes were carved out by glaciers long ago. There's also the wide, open high country area known as the Mackenzie Country. As you move closer to the coast, you'll see rolling hills and the flat Canterbury Plains.
Main Industries and Activities
Farming sheep is a very important business in South Canterbury. Many people also visit the area for its stunning views, so tourism is a big part of the economy. In recent years, more and more dairy farms have appeared, just like in nearby Mid Canterbury. A large dairy factory, called Clandeboye Dairy Factory, is located north of Temuka.
Another major industry is making electricity from water, which is called hydroelectricity. This happens in the southern and western parts of South Canterbury, especially along the Waitaki River.
Towns and Population
The biggest town in South Canterbury is Timaru. It has about 28,800 people and is the second largest town in the entire Canterbury Region. Other towns in South Canterbury include Temuka, Geraldine, Waimate, Pleasant Point, Fairlie, Twizel, Glenavy and Saint Andrews. In 2013, about 55,623 people lived in South Canterbury. This was about 9% of all the people living in the Canterbury Region.
