Christchurch

Christchurch is a city on the east coast of the South Island of New Zealand.

Geography

Christchurch is the main city in Canterbury, New Zealand. It lies at the southern end of Pegasus Bay, in the middle of the east coast of the South Island, between Banks Peninsula and the Canterbury Plains. The city is bounded to the east by the Pacific Ocean coast and the estuary of the Avon and Heathcote rivers, in the south and south-east by the volcanic slopes of the Port Hills, and in the north by the Waimakariri River. The urban area extends a little further.

Related Topics:
Canterbury, New Zealand - Pegasus Bay - South Island - Banks Peninsula - Canterbury Plains - Pacific Ocean - Avon - Heathcote - Port Hills - Waimakariri River

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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.

Related Topics:
Hagley Park - Christchurch Botanic Gardens - Golf - Netball - Rugby

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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.

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The centre of the city is Cathedral Square, directly in front of the Anglican cathedral, Christ Church.

Related Topics:
Cathedral Square - Christ Church

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List of Christchurch suburbs

Inner suburbs

(clockwise from city centre, starting due north)

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Mairehau; Shirley; Richmond; Avonside; Linwood; Woolston; Opawa; Waltham; Sydenham; Spreydon; Addington; Riccarton; Ilam; Burnside; Fendalton; Bryndwr; Merivale; Papanui; St Albans.

Related Topics:
Mairehau - Shirley - Richmond - Avonside - Linwood - Woolston - Opawa - Waltham - Sydenham - Spreydon - Addington - Riccarton - Ilam - Burnside - Fendalton - Bryndwr - Merivale - Papanui - St Albans

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Outer suburbs

(clockwise from city centre, starting due north)

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Burwood; Parklands; Waimairi Beach; Avondale; New Brighton; Bexley; Aranui; South Brighton; Southshore; Bromley; Redcliffs; Sumner; Ferrymead; Heathcote Valley; Huntsbury; Cashmere; Westmoreland; Hoon Hay; Halswell; Oaklands; Wigram; Sockburn; Hornby; Islington; Yaldhurst; Russley; Avonhead; Harewood; Bishopdale; Casebrook; Redwood; Belfast.

Related Topics:
Burwood - Parklands - Waimairi Beach - Avondale - New Brighton - Bexley - Aranui - South Brighton - Southshore - Bromley - Redcliffs - Sumner - Ferrymead - Heathcote Valley - Huntsbury - Cashmere - Westmoreland - Hoon Hay - Halswell - Oaklands - Wigram - Sockburn - Hornby - Islington - Yaldhurst - Russley - Avonhead - Harewood - Bishopdale - Casebrook - Redwood - Belfast

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Satellite towns

(clockwise from city centre, starting due north)

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Brooklands; Lyttelton; Tai Tapu; Lincoln; Prebbleton; Templeton; Rolleston; West Melton; Rangiora; Kaiapoi.

Related Topics:
Brooklands - Lyttelton - Tai Tapu - Lincoln - Prebbleton - Templeton - Rolleston - West Melton - Rangiora - Kaiapoi

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Climate

Christchurch has a temperate climate, with temperatures in January ranging from an average minimum of 15°C to an average maximum of 30°C, and from -5°C to 10°C in July. Summer temperatures are often moderated by a sea breeze from the northeast.

Related Topics:
Temperate - Climate - January - July - Sea breeze

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A notable feature of the weather is the Nor'wester, a hot föhn wind which occasionally reaches gale force and causes widespread damage to property. In winter, it is common for the temperature to fall below 0°C at night. Snow falls occur occasionally, on average once or twice a year.

Related Topics:
Nor'wester - Föhn wind - Gale

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On cold winter nights, the surrounding hills, clear skies, and frosty calm conditions often combine to form a stable inversion layer above the city that traps vehicle exhausts and smoke from domestic fires to cause smog. While not as bad as smog in Los Angeles, California, Christchurch smog has often been known to exceed World Health Organisation recommendations for air pollution. The city has strict requirements for domestic home heating in order to limit air pollution.

Related Topics:
Frost - Inversion layer - Smog - Los Angeles, California - World Health Organisation - Air pollution

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