Wellington, the capital of New Zealand, holds the title of the world's windiest city by average wind speed. Its location at the edge of the Cook Strait—the narrow gap between the North and South Islands—creates a powerful 'wind tunnel' effect. The city sits directly in the path of the 'Roaring Forties,' a belt of strong westerly winds that circle the Southern Hemisphere. On average, Wellington experiences winds exceeding 60 km/h (37 mph) for about 173 days a year, with gusts often reaching over 140 km/h during storms. This meteorological phenomenon has shaped the city's character; residents are famously stoic about the weather, and umbrellas are often considered useless. Beyond the wind, Wellington is the southernmost capital of a sovereign state and is a major hub for the global film industry, nicknamed 'Wellywood' due to the presence of Weta Workshop and Sir Peter Jackson's production facilities. The city is built into steep hills surrounding a stunning deep-water harbor, much of which is reclaimed land from historical earthquakes.