New Zealand is an island nation in the southwestern Pacific Ocean, consisting of two main landmasses—the North Island (Te Ika-a-Māui) and the South Island (Te Waipounamu)—and over 700 smaller islands. Wellington is the capital and the southernmost capital of a sovereign state. New Zealand is part of Zealandia, a submerged continent that broke away from Gondwana. The geography is varied: the North Island is known for its volcanic activity and geothermal areas like Rotorua, while the South Island is dominated by the Southern Alps, which include Aoraki/Mount Cook. Because of its remote location, New Zealand developed a distinct biodiversity of animal, fungal, and plant life, most notably flightless birds like the Kiwi. The country has a temperate maritime climate. It was one of the last lands to be settled by humans, with Polynesians arriving between 1200 and 1300 AD, developing the distinct Māori culture.