↑ The South Island takes the definite article when used as a noun whereas maps, headings or tables and adjectival expressions use South Island. This pattern can be found in a number of other names, such as the United Kingdom, the Vatican and the Internet.Examples:
My mother lives in the South Island
The North Island is smaller in area than the South Island
I'm visiting the South Island
The major South Island peaks are all in the Southern Alps
Note also that places are said to be in the South Island rather than on the South Island.
