Located on the North Island of New Zealand, Auckland is the largest city in the country. As of 2006, the census indicated the city had a population of 404,658. A large number of people also live in the metropolitan area surrounding Auckland, and as of 2007, the combined city/metropolitan population was estimated at 1,329,900, which is over a quarter of the New Zealand's entire population.

The central area of Auckland occupies a narrow isthmus, less than 1.2 miles (2 kilometers) wide at its narrowest point, that lies betwen Manukau Harbour on the Tasman Sea, and Waitemata Harbour on the Pacific Ocean. Consequently, the city one of only a handful in the world to have harbors on two separate bodies of water. Both of these harbors are partially crossed by bridges - the most spectacular of these bridges is Auckland Harbour Bridge which crosses Waitemata Harbour, just to the West of the Auckland Central Business District.

The tallest and most recognizable building in Auckland is the Sky Tower. This is an observation and telecommunications tower located in the city's business district. The tower, which attracts approximately 600,000 visitors each year, stands 1,066 feet (328 meters) tall, making it the tallest free standing structure in the Southern hemisphere. Visitors who go up the tower can enjoy two restaurant levels (one with revolving seating), one cafe level, and two observation decks, one of which has some glass sections in the floor. If that's not enough of a thrill, you can try the "SkyJump" from the observation deck - this is a 624 foot (192 meter) cable-guided "jump" from the observation deck, which is sort of intermediate between a bungee jump and a base jump.

By S. Tanna. First published at http://www.travelguide2newzealand.com/c1_cities_auckland.php

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