Christchurch is a city in the region of Canterbury in the South Island of New Zealand which is oftentimes referred to as the most English city not being in England. It is also often called the Garden City because it has so many stunning gardens. The urban region has a population of just below 400 000, making it the second largest city in New Zealand after its rival, Auckland. The Avon River passes via the center of the city with many parks found alongside its banks with Hagley Park being a main characteristic of Christchurch. At the centre of Christchurch is Cathedral Square having the landmark Anglican cathedral which happens to be currently being repaired because of earthquake problems.
The farming and agricultural industry is the economic core of Christchurch and most of the first business there were set up to support this. Tourism is now also a considerable element for the local economic system, with the city marketing themselves being a portal to the South Island featuring its exceptional surroundings, skiing and also adventure tourism. Christchurch is also the hub for the Antarctic, with the city having a long reputation of engagement in Antarctic exploration. There is an International Antarctic Centre that gives both base amenities and a museum that has a visitors centre. The US Navy utilizes Christchurch Airport as the take-off stage for the primary supply path to its McMurdo and also Scott Bases that are in Antarctica.
There is some data that people first moved in the Christchurch location in approximately 1250. Settlement became popular early in 1840 following the purchase of land in what is currently Riccarton by the Weller family and a number of European settlers brought by Herriott and McGillivray set up themselves in what is now Christchurch, at the beginning of 1840. The Canterbury Association organised The First Four Ships to bring 792 of the Canterbury Pilgrims to Lyttelton Harbour. The ships were called were the Randolph, Charlotte Jane, Sir George Seymour, and Cressy. The Charlotte Jane got there first on 16 December 1850. The Canterbury Pilgrims desired to establish a city about a cathedral based on the city of Christ Church in Oxford, UK, hence the name of Christchurch.
Numerous serious incidents have molded Christchurch. Back in 1947, a fire occurred at Ballantyne's Department Store within the central area with 41 people being killed in a blaze that demolished a group of properties. It remains New Zealand's most severe fire disaster. Between September 2010 and January 2012 the city suffered a series of major earthquakes with the worst occuring on Tuesday 22 February 2011 when 185 individuals were killed and a huge number of structures collapsing or experiencing significant problems. After the earthquakes more than 1500 structures in the city have been taken down, resulting in a still continuing recuperation and restoring challenge. The city did experience some speedy growth after the earthquakes. On 15 March 2019, 51 individuals were murdered during two terrorist episodes in the Al Noor Mosque and Linwood Islamic Centre by a white supremacist that come in from from Australia. These terrorist attacks have been mentioned by the Prime Minister of NZ, Jacinda Ardern as being "One of New Zealand's darkest days".
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