On the West coast, the largest glaciers are the Fox and the Franz Josef glaciers. The largest lake is Lake Taupo, and the river with the greatest flow is the Clutha. The climate is generally dry and hot in summer, with cool to cold winters further south of the country. February is the hottest month, August the coolest. Most of the remaining forested areas are protected.
Agriculture is the principal economy of New Zealand.
When Great Britain joined the EEC in 1973, New Zealand was forced to diversify into other fields such as horticulture, viticulture, forestry and fishing. A large trade market has been established with the Asian countries. In 1984 New Zealand lifted its agricultural subsidies, and has since become one of the least regulated markets. Since the air travel boom in the 70's, New Zealand has become easily accessible to overseas visitors, producing a change of lifestyle, mentality and culture. Communities of Polynesians, Italians, Dutch, French, Greek, North American, as well as the Asian countries of Japan, Hong Kong, Taiwan, Cambodia, China and India, just to name a few, have introduced ethnic diversity to New Zealand.