New Zealand (Māori: Aotearoa) is an island nation and sovereign monarchy located in Polynesia (or Australasia) in Oceania. New Zealand consists of the North Island, the South Island, and over 600 smaller islands. The total land area of New Zealand is 268,000 km². New Zealand is separated from Australia by the Tasman Sea by about 2,000 km and is more than 1,000 km south of Pacific island nations such as New Caledonia, Fiji, and Tonga. Geographically, it is located at 174 degrees East and 41 degrees South. Due to its geographical isolation, New Zealand was one of the last lands to be settled by humans. During this long period of isolation, a unique biodiversity developed in New Zealand. The country's diverse terrain and high peaks were often formed by volcanic eruptions and tectonic uplift. The capital of New Zealand is Wellington, and the most populous city is Auckland.