The website already has comprehensive guides to the people, land, culture, history and identity of 12 regions of New Zealand.
Otago's guide was the 13th and used photos - many supplied by the Otago Daily Times - clickable maps, sounds, interactive activities, video clips and text to describe the region, website editor Jock Phillips said.
Work on the website began in 2003 and nine regions were still to be covered. By the time it is completed in 2013, it will have more than 3 million words, 30,000 images and 1000 film clips.
Text for the Otago directory was written by Malcolm McKinnon, who has worked as a historian since 1976 for Victoria University, the historical branch of the Department of Internal Affairs, the Alexander Turnbull Library and the Ministry for Culture and Heritage.
Dr Phillips said the website was being produced by a team in the Ministry for Culture and Heritage to be used as a resource for schools.
Te Ara Encyclopedia of New Zealand is the world's first national encyclopedia produced specifically for the internet. The Otago places entry was launched on its website at a function at the Dunedin Public Art Gallery yesterday.
