Christchurch is the largest city in New Zealand, located on the east coast of the South Island. It is the second most populous urban area in the country, with an estimated population of over 400, 000 people. Christchurch is known for its English heritage, as it was founded by the Church of England in 1848. The city is home to many cultural attractions, including the Canterbury Museum, the Christchurch Botanic Gardens, and the International Antarctic Centre.