Hamilton is a city on the North Island of New Zealand. It is the seat and most populous city of the Waikato region, the country's fourth most populous city.
Hamilton was also awarded the title of the most beautiful large city in New Zealand. Initially an agricultural service centre, Hamilton now has a diverse economy and is the third fastest-growing urban area in New Zealand.
Hamilton Gardens is the region's most popular tourist attraction. Education and research and development play an essential part in Hamilton's economy. The city's three central post-secondary institutes; are the University of Waikato, Waikato Institute of Technology, and Te Wananga o Aotearoa.
Weather and Climatic Conditions in Hamilton
Hamilton's climate is oceanic, with highly moderated temperatures due to New Zealand's location surrounded by the ocean. As the largest inland city in the country, winters are fantastic, and mornings can feature the coldest temperatures of the North Island's leading centres. Nighttime temperatures are even cooler outside the city.
Likewise, summers can be some of the warmest in the country, with temperatures rising over 28 °C (82 °F) which can make temperatures feel much warmer or colder than they are. Ground frosts are expected, and snow is possible but rare. Typically summers are dry and winters wet. Fog is common during winter mornings, incredibly close to the Waikato River, which runs through the city centre. It is also one of the foggiest cities on earth.
Major attractions of Hamilton, New Zealand
Hamilton hosts several large-scale music festivals, including the Soundscape music festival, one of New Zealand's most prominent street parties.
A classical concert series features world-class musicians held throughout the year at the Gallagher Concert Chamber, organized by the University of Waikato Conservatorium of Music. Waikato Food and Wine Festival, Indigo Festival, the Great Pumpkin Festival at Hamilton Gardens, and Balloons over Waikato Hot Air Ballooning Festival are some festivals celebrated yearly in Hamilton.
The Base is New Zealand's second-largest shopping centre, with over 7.5 million visitors annually to the 190 stores. Other local attractions include Hamilton Zoo, the Waikato Museum, the Hamilton Astronomical Society Observatory, the Arts Post art gallery, and the Sky City casino.
