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New Caledonia

General Information about New Caledonia

New Caledonia is a French overseas territory that is comprised of the main island of Grand Terre, the Loyalty Islands and many other smaller islands and atolls. New Caledonia is located in the South Pacific to the east of Australia and has a population of almost 222,000 people. The official language spoken in New Caledonia is French. A total of 33 Melanesian-Polynesian dialects are also spoken throughout New Caledonia and English and Japanese are widely spoken in Noumea, but not elsewhere. 60% of the New Caledonian population are Roman Catholic. There is also a significant Protestant following. Noumea is the capital and largest city of New Caledonia and is situated in the south of the main island Grand Terre. Noumea has a population of over 91,300 people. Noumea and it's surrounding areas are home to the majority of the New Caledonian population.

The Parc Provincial de la Rivière Bleue situated at the western end of the Lac de Yaté dam is a protected reserve that is home to many species of bird including the cagou, New Caledonia's national bird. Here there is also a drowned forest with tree skeletons and many trails throughout the park. Another popular places to visit in New Caledonia is the Grotte de la Reine Hortense, the most visited cave of the nation. The cave has many stalactites hanging from the roof and a wild tropical garden. It is believed that the wife of a local cheif, Queen Hortense, hid here in 1855.

New Caledonia Photo Gallery

Noumea at Night	Night time Noumea	Docked at Noumea	Docking at Noumea
Noumea City	Noumea Harbour	Band at Noumea	Noumea Band

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Climate

Find Out About The Climate In New Caledonia

New Caledonia experiences a subtropical climate which is hot and humid but is tempered by the south east trade winds. If your planning a trip to New Caledonia then the best months to visit are from September through to December. The days are a pleasant 23-27 degrees with minimal rainfall. If your planning a trip in July or August then be prepared for some cool and windy weather with temperatures ranging between 17 and 22 degrees. The wet season begins in February and lasts until April with most of the rainfall falling in the mountainous regions. Cyclones do occur in New Caledonia particularly between November and March.

Geography

Geographical Information On New Caledonia

New Caledonia was originally settled by Britain and France with France taking control in 1853 and remains a collectivity of France today. Set in the South Pacific Ocean just east of Australia, New Caledonia has a total area of 19,060 square kilometres which includes 485 square kilometres of water. New Caledonia has an extensive coastline of over 2,254 kilometres. Also a part of New Caledonia are several smaller islands including the Belep archipelago, the Grande Terre, the Loyalty Islands, Bellona Reefs, Isle of Pines and the Chesterfield Islands. Grande Terre is the largest island with a total of 16,372 square kilometres. Also found on Grande Terre island is the highest point of New Caledonia known as Mount Panie which rises to over 1,628 metres and can be located in the range of Chaine Centrale. Most of the terrain of New Caledonia is coastal plains with mountains in the interior. Grande Terre is more mountainous than the other islands and has an extensive range that runs the entire length of the island.

Economy

Learn About The Economy Of New Caledonia

The agricultural industry of New Caledonia only accounts for five percent of the economy due to only a small percentage of the land be arable. Because of this New Caledonia is forced to import over 20 percent of its food supplies. New Caledonia has approximately 25 percent of the world's known nickel resources, but due to high demand exports of this industry has diminished significantly. In 1997 the service industry of New Caledonia reported a contribution to over 65 percent of the economy while the industry sector sat on just 30 percent. New Caledonia mainly exports ferro nickels, nickel ore and fish. New Caledonia also receives financial support from France with as much as $880 million as an annual subsidy. The official currency of New Caledonia is the Comptoirs Francais du Pacifique Franc.

Apartments in New Caledonia

Hotels in New Caledonia

Must Explore would like to wish you an enjoyable stay in New Caledonia.

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