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Top Places: Hamilton, Waitomo caves, Waikato River, Raglan and Hobbiton (LOTR).
Waikato
is the name of a region in the North Island of New Zealand. It refers to an
area around the city of Hamilton and extending along the banks of the Waikato
River. This area of New Zealand is one of the richest agricultural and
pastoral areas in the world and is characterized as a large fertile basin
through which the Waikato river flows, this river is the longest in New Zealand.
Hamilton is the largest city in the region and is also the largest inland city in New
Zealand. Overall Hamilton is the 4th largest city in the country with a population
of approximately 106,000 people. Hamilton is only 127 km south of Auckland.
While agriculture is the dominant industry in Hamilton, other sectors of industry
are catching up and providing more diverse business opportunities.
In
the west, the region is bounded by the Tasman Sea. The coastal region is largely
rough hill country, known locally as the Hakarimata Range. The coast is punctured
by three large natural harbours: Raglan Harbour, Aotea Harbour, and Kawhia
Harbour. The area around Raglan is noted for its volcanic black sand beaches,
and also for its fine surfing conditions. To the east of the coastal hills
lies the broad floodplain of the Waikato River. The region has a wet temperate
climate, and the land is largely rich farmland, although it also contains
undrained peat swamp. It is in the broad Waikato Plains that most of the region's
population resides, and the land is intensively farmed with both livestock
(mainly dairy cattle) and crops (such as maize). 
The
area around Cambridge has many thoroughbred stables. The north of the region
around Te Kauwhata produces some of New Zealand's best wines. Several shallow
lakes lie in this area, the largest of which is Lake Waikare. To the east,
the land rises towards the forested slopes of the Kaimai and Mamaku Ranges.
The upper reaches of the Waikato River are used for hydroelectricity, and
several large artificial lakes are found in the region's southeast.
Beneath
the rolling green hills of the Waikato lie the Waitomo Caves, which offers
visitors all kinds of exciting underground caving adventures. Another
area of interest to the the traveller is the small town of Raglan, which has
a world class surf break and is noted for its unusually long rides and is
part of surfing's world circuit.
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