World Atlas: New Caledonia. On this page you can see the map, country flag and many detailed information about the people, history and economy of New Caledonia.
Here you can find online selected information about the geography, inhabitants, government, economy and history of New Caledonia. Included are selected statistics, an overview map and the detailed map of New Caledonia. But let's start with the flag of New Caledonia here:
New Caledonia - Overview:
What you should know about New Caledonia? Let's start with this: Settled by both Britain and France during the first half of the 19th century, the island became a French possession in 1853. It served as a penal colony for four decades after 1864. Agitation for independence during the 1980s and early 1990s ended in the 1998 Noumea Accord, which over the past 20 years has transfered an increasing amount of governing responsibility from France to New Caledonia. The agreement also commits France to conduct a referendum by November 2018 to decide whether New Caledonia should assume full sovereignty and independence.
Geography of New Caledonia
Where on the globe is New Caledonia? The location of this country is Oceania, islands in the South Pacific Ocean, east of Australia. Total area of New Caledonia is 18,575 sq km, of which 18,275 sq km is land. So this is quite a small country. How could we describe the terrain of the country? This way: coastal plains with interior mountains. The lowest point of New Caledonia is Pacific Ocean 0 m, the highest point Mont Panie 1,628 m. And the climate is tropical; modified by southeast trade winds; hot, humid.
Inhabitants of New Caledonia
Let's take a look how many people live in New Caledonia. The number is: 279,070 (July 2017 est.). So not so many people live here. Who lives here? Kanak 40.3%, European 29.2%, Wallisian, Futunian 8.7%, Tahitian 2%, Indonesian 1.6%, Vietnamese 1%, Ni-Vanuatu 0.9%, other 16.2% (2009 est.). What are the languages in New Caledonia? French (official), 33 Melanesian-Polynesian dialects. And the religions: Roman Catholic 60%, Protestant 30%, other 10%. How old are the people in average? 32 years. We have to add that this number is the median - so one half of the people is older than this, one half is younger. And what is their life expectancy (at birth)? This: 77.9 years. Where the people live in New Caledonia? Here: most of the populace lives in the southern part of the main island, in and around the capital of Noumea. The major urban areas of New Caledonia are: Noumea (capital) 181,000 (2014).
Government and Economy of New Caledonia
The capital of New Caledonia is Noumea and the government type parliamentary democracy (Territorial Congress); an overseas collectivity of France. Let's take a look at the administrative divisions - 3 provinces; Province Iles (Islands Province), Province Nord (North Province), and Province Sud (South Province). Regarding the economy of New Caledonia, important industrial products are nickel mining and smelting. Important agricultural products are vegetables; beef, venison, other livestock products; fish. The most important export commodities are ferronickels, nickel ore, fish and the most important export partners are China 30.4%, Japan 15.7%, South Korea 14.7%, France 5%, Belgium 4.5% (2016). The most important import commodities are machinery and equipment, fuels, chemicals, foodstuffs and the most important import partners are France 25.1%, Singapore 10.1%, China 9.8%, Australia 6.2%, Malaysia 5.9%, South Korea 5.8%, NZ 4.6%, US 4.3% (2016). How rich is New Caledonia and how rich are people in this country? The most important number here is GDP per capita (PPP): $31,100 (2015 est.). This means the living standards are good here. Let's add that this means Gross Domestic Product per person, which is recalculated with respect to the relative cost of local goods and services. And one more important number - population below poverty line: 17% (2008).