The other ports

Auckland, New Zealand

Population: 1,600,000

Official languages: English, Maori

Weather: Marine West Coast, average temperature range 50 to 86

Government: Parliamentary democracy

History: Auckland, New Zealand's largest city, contains 14 extinct volcanoes and is the site of an old fort that provides fine views of the harbor.

Tidbit: Auckland is called the City of Sails because it has more than 120,000 boats in the water.

Sao Sebastiao, Brazil

Population: 40,000

Official language: Portuguese

Weather: Humid subtropical, average temperature range 50 to 86

Government: Federal republic

History: Sao Sebastiao is 361 years old, with a city center full of 17th century buildings, many of them constructed with indigenous materials such as seashells.

Tidbit: Sao Sebastiao plays host to thousands of revelers every year at its Mardi Gras.

Fort Lauderdale, Fla.

Population: 149,377

Official language: English

Weather: Humid Subtropical, average temperature range 55 to 86

History: Fort Lauderdale boasts 27,000 hotels and motels, many of which date back to the early part of this century.

Tidbit: Fort Lauderdale is known as the Venice of America because of canals that wind through the heart of the city.

La Rochelle, France

Population: 73,744

Weather: Marine West Coast, average temperature range 40 to 70

Official language: French

Government: Republic

History: La Rochelle, which dates back to the 12th century, is still guarded by turreted towers dating from the 14th to 16th $H centuries.

Tidbit: La Rochelle is home to the Port de Minimes, the biggest marina in Europe, with 3,500 berths.

Pub Date: 9/21/97

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