south island

English - English

Definition of south island in English English dictionary: the larger but less populous of two main islands of New Zealand; separated from North Island by Cook Strait; One of the two major islands making up New Zealand. Also known as the mainland; An island of New Zealand southwest of North Island, from which it is separated by Cook Strait. It is the larger but less populous of the country's two principal islands. one of the two main islands of New Zealand, whose main towns are Christchurch and Dunedin. It is important for sheep farming and the growing of wheat. Island (pop., 2001 prelim.: 942,213), larger and southernmost of the two principal islands of New Zealand. Separated from the North Island by Cook Strait, it has an area of 58,676 sq mi (151,971 sq km). Mountains, including the Southern Alps, occupy almost three-quarters of the island. Its main cities are Christchurch and Dunedin. Fiordland National Park in the southwest contains numerous coastal fjords and high lakes; southern portion of New Zealand