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Mitre Peak (New Zealand)
Encyclopedia
Mitre Peak is an iconic mountain in the South Island
of New Zealand
. It is one of the most photographed peaks in the country.
The distinctive shape of the peak in southern New Zealand gives the mountain its name, after the mitre
headwear of Christian bishops. It was named by a survey crew from the HMS Acheron.
Part of the reason for its iconic status is its location. Close to the shore of Milford Sound
, in the Fiordland National Park
in the southwestern South Island, it is a stunning sight. Rising to 1,692 metres (ie just over a mile) from the water of the sound (more technically a fjord), it is actually a closely grouped set of five peaks, although from most easily accessible viewpoints it appears as a single point.
South Island
The South Island is the larger of the two major islands of New Zealand, the other being the more populous North Island. It is bordered to the north by Cook Strait, to the west by the Tasman Sea, to the south and east by the Pacific Ocean...
of New Zealand
New Zealand
New Zealand is an island country in the south-western Pacific Ocean comprising two main landmasses and numerous smaller islands. The country is situated some east of Australia across the Tasman Sea, and roughly south of the Pacific island nations of New Caledonia, Fiji, and Tonga...
. It is one of the most photographed peaks in the country.
The distinctive shape of the peak in southern New Zealand gives the mountain its name, after the mitre
Mitre
The mitre , also spelled miter, is a type of headwear now known as the traditional, ceremonial head-dress of bishops and certain abbots in the Roman Catholic Church, as well as in the Anglican Communion, some Lutheran churches, and also bishops and certain other clergy in the Eastern Orthodox...
headwear of Christian bishops. It was named by a survey crew from the HMS Acheron.
Part of the reason for its iconic status is its location. Close to the shore of Milford Sound
Milford Sound
Milford Sound is a fjord in the south west of New Zealand's South Island, within Fiordland National Park, Piopiotahi Marine Reserve, and the Te Wahipounamu World Heritage site...
, in the Fiordland National Park
Fiordland National Park
Fiordland National Park occupies the southwest corner of the South Island of New Zealand. It is the largest of the 14 national parks in New Zealand, with an area of 12,500 km², and a major part of the Te Wahipounamu World Heritage site...
in the southwestern South Island, it is a stunning sight. Rising to 1,692 metres (ie just over a mile) from the water of the sound (more technically a fjord), it is actually a closely grouped set of five peaks, although from most easily accessible viewpoints it appears as a single point.