Fiordland - Definition

Fiordland is situated on the south-western corner of the South Island of New Zealand. Most of it is covered by the Fiordland National Park, which has an area of 12,120 square kilometres, making it the largest national park in New Zealand and one of the largest in the world.

The name "Fiordland" comes from the now common variant of the Norwegian word "fjord". Fiordland features a number of fiords, of which Milford Sound is the best known.

Situated within Fiordland are Browne Falls and Sutherland Falls, which rank among the tallest waterfalls in the world. Tourist boats poke their bows into one of the Milford Sound waterfalls.

Lake Te Anau and the Te Anau township are on the eastern fringe. Administration of the area was as "The County of Fiord" for part of the 20th Century until it was absorbed into Wallace County. Since 1989 it has been in Southland District.