Alexandra, New Zealand
Encyclopedia : A : AL : ALE : Alexandra, New Zealand
| Alexandra | ||
|---|---|---|
| Urban Area | Population | 5,920 (2006) |
| Territorial Authority |
Name | Central Otago District Council |
| Population | 16,950 (2006 est.) | |
| Extent |
Includes the towns of Alexandra Clyde, Cromwell, Roxburgh, and Ranfurly |
|
| Regional Council | Name | Otago |
The district is one of the farthest from a coastline in New Zealand and one of the few to experience a continental climate with severe winters and hot, dry summers.
At the time of the 2001 census, the permanent population was 4,407, a drop of 210 since 1996, and 23.5 per cent of the population (higher than the national average) was aged over 65.
The town was founded during the Central Otago goldrush in the 1860s, and was named after Alexandra of Denmark. It was known to miners of the day by several names: the "Lower Township", the "Junction Township", and "Manuherikia". (The "Upper Township" was Dunstan, now Clyde.)
Alexandra is the service centre for a significant stone-fruit industry, which is celebrated by a blossom festival in the town each spring. Grape production is another major industry in the Central Otago Wine Region.
Many orchards were destroyed in the 1980s as a result of construction, 10 km upriver, of the Clyde High Dam, which serves the country's largest hydroelectric power station.
The town is a popular holiday destination - during the holiday season the Otago Cricket team play many of their fixtures at Alexandra's Molyneux Park rather than at their home, base, Dunedin's Carisbrook ground.
See also
List of towns in New ZealandReferences
External links
- [Alexandra District Promotions website]
- [Half a dozen profiles of websites about the area]
- [Central Otago District Council]
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