Zealand
Five southernmost groups of New Zealand outlying islands, collectively a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Zealand is the largest and most populous island within Denmark proper, covering an area of 7,031 square kilometers. As of early 2020, its population stood at 2,319,705, which accounted for 40 percent of the country’s total population. It ranks as the 13th-largest island in Europe by area and the fourth most populous. The island is connected to Sprogø and Funen via the Great Belt Fixed Link, and to the island of Amager through several bridges in Copenhagen. Through Amager and the Øresund Bridge, Zealand is also linked to Scania in Sweden. To the south, the Storstrøm Bridge and the Farø Bridges connect it to Falster and, beyond that, to Lolland; a future Fehmarnbelt Tunnel, currently under construction, will connect Lolland to the German island of Fehmarn, which itself has a connection to mainland Europe. Copenhagen, Denmark’s capital, is situated mostly on Zealand’s eastern shore and partly on Amager, with a population between 1.3 and 1.4 million in 2020. Other notable cities include Roskilde, Hillerød, Næstved, Helsingør, Slagelse, Køge, Holbæk, and Kalundborg. Administratively, the island is split between two regions: the Capital Region, which includes the Copenhagen metropolitan area and North Zealand, and the Zealand Region, which covers the larger, more rural part. Historically, tribal Danes originated from Zealand and Scania, speaking an early form of North Germanic, while Jutes had previously settled much of Jutland and nearby islands before migrating to Great Britain. Valdemar’s Zealandic Law, a civil code from the 13th century, was one of the early attempts to unify laws across Danish settlements. Ringsted and Roskilde were early political and religious centers, later supplanted by Copenhagen. Religious sites before the Reformation included Sorø Abbey and Esrom Abbey. Helsingør grew in importance after the construction of Kronborg Castle and the introduction of Sound Dues. Much of North Zealand was crown-owned from the late 16th century, used as a royal hunting domain, while manors dominated the economy elsewhere. Early industrial centers outside Copenhagen included Mølleåen’s watermills, the Kronborg Arms Factory, Frederick’s Works at Frederiksværk, and the Køng Textile Factory. The first railways, built by Det Sjællandske Jernbaneselskab, opened between Copenhagen and Roskilde in 1847. In Norse mythology, the goddess Gefjun created Zealand by carvi
- country
- New Zealand
- regions
- Antipodes Islands, Auckland Islands, Bounty Islands, Campbell Islands, Snares Is
Lore & Background
These islands were uninhabited at the time of European discovery, nonetheless, there is evidence of Māori and/or Polynesian visits to some of the island groups, and some were still known to Māori at the time of European contact. On the Antipodes Islands (Moutere Mahue), claims of a pottery shard found here in 1886 are contested. On the Auckland Islands (Motu Maha/Maungahuka), traces of Polynesian settlement, possibly dating to the 13th century, have been found by archaeologists on Enderby Island. This is the most southerly settlement by Polynesians yet known. The Snares Islands (Tini Heke) were already known to the Māori, who called one of the larger islands Te Taniwha ("The sea-monster"). They are visible from near Stewart Island in good conditions. European exploration took place in the 19th century, often involving exploiting the natural resources of the area for sealing and whaling etc. Some shipwrecks took place in the region, with crews being forced to live off the land. Hardwicke on Auckland Island represents one of the few serious attempts by Europeans to set up a settlement in the islands, subsequently abandoned. Until 1995, scientific research staff were stationed permanently at a meteorological station on Campbell Island. Since then, the islands have been uninhabited, though they are periodically visited by researchers and tourists. Protection of reserves was strengthened in 2014, becoming the largest natural sanctuary in the nation.
Reader's Guide
The New Zealand Subantarctic Islands consist of five groups: Antipodes Islands (Antipodes Island, Bollons Island, the Windward Islands, Orde Lees Island, Leeward Island, South Islet); Auckland Islands (Auckland Island, Adams Island, Disappointment Island, Enderby Island, Ewing Island, Rose Island); Bounty Islands (Moutere Hauriri) (Main Group, Centre Group, and Eastern Group islets); Campbell Islands (Campbell Island / Motu Ihupuku, Dent Island, Folly Island, Jacquemart Island); and Snares Islands / Tini Heke (Alert Stack, Broughton Island, High Island, North East Island, Western Chain islets). New Zealand also has territorial claims, held in abeyance under the Antarctic Treaty System, over several islands close to the Antarctic mainland, including: Ross Island and the rest of the Ross Archipelago; Balleny Islands: Young Island, Buckle Island, Sturge Island, plus several smaller islets; Roosevelt Island; Scott Island and Haggits Pillar. Of these, Ross Island is inhabited by the scientific staff of several research stations, notably at McMurdo Sound and Scott Base. Ecologically, the Antipodes, Auckland, Bounty and Campbell Islands are collectively designated the Antipodean Islands in the World Geographical Scheme for Recording Plant Distributions. The Snares Islands / Tini Heke are included with the South Island in New Zealand South under the scheme.
Did You Know?
- The Auckland Islands contain the most southerly settlement by Polynesians yet known, with traces dating possibly to the 13th century on Enderby Island.
- The Snares Islands were already known to Māori, who called one of the larger islands Te Taniwha ('The sea-monster').
- Until 1995, scientific research staff were stationed permanently at a meteorological station on Campbell Island.
- Protection of reserves was strengthened in 2014, becoming the largest natural sanctuary in New Zealand.
- The Antipodes, Auckland, Bounty and Campbell Islands are collectively designated the Antipodean Islands in the World Geographical Scheme for Recording Plant Distributions.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Zealand?
Zealand, called Sjælland in Danish, is Denmark's biggest and most heavily inhabited island. It sits in the Baltic Sea and has Copenhagen perched along its eastern shoreline.
What are Zealand's powers/role?
Zealand packs roughly 2.3 million residents into about 7,000 square kilometres, making it the demographic engine of the entire country. It is split between the Capital Region and the Zealand Region, and it anchors Denmark's government, commerce, and culture through Copenhagen.
How does Zealand's story end?
Zealand is a living, inhabited landmass rather than a character with a plot arc, so it has no narrative conclusion. Its standing is locked in as Europe's 13th-largest island by area and its 4th most populous, a position it has held for centuries.
Why is Zealand important?
Nearly 40% of all Danes call Zealand home, and the nation's capital, parliament, and major cultural institutions are all based there. Losing the island would mean losing Denmark's political and economic core in a single stroke.
More in Islands 1-24
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