Auckland was first settled by Maori tribes around 1350. By the time European settlers arrived in 1840, it was almost deserted. Today, Auckland is New Zealand's largest and fastest growing city. Snuggled between two coasts, Auckland has many harbors and is said to have the most pleasure boats per person of any city in the world. The Sky Tower (pictured to the left) is the city's most distinctive landmark. At 1,076 feet tall, the tower is the tallest building in the southern hemisphere! (JOCHEM D. WIJNANDS—GETTY IMAGES)