New Caledonia
Island group in the South Pacific, a French overseas territory between Australia and the Fiji Islands; area 18,576 sq km/7,170 sq mi; population (2001 est) 204,900. The capital, largest city and chief port is Nouméa. The islands are surrounded by a barrier reef, and are the world's third-largest producer of nickel. Other industries include chrome, iron, chlorine, oxygen, and cement works; agricultural products include beef, pork, coffee, and maize; tourism is also an important industry. The currency used is the CFP franc. French is the official language, although English is widely spoken. 60% of the population are Roman Catholic, and 30% are Protestant.
History
New Caledonia was visited by Captain Cook in 1774 and became French in 1853. It has been a French Overseas Territory since 1958. There are pressures for independence, and in 1988 New Caledonia was divided into three autonomous provinces.
Government The French high commissioner is Yves Dassonville (from 2007), and the president is Harold Martin (from 2007). In 1998 voters approved a referendum on the Nouméa Accord, which provided for greater autonomy and a referendum on independence in 15–20 years' time. The capital, Nouméa, a sea port, is the headquarters of the Pacific Community, which together with Australia, France, New Zealand, the UK, and the USA, provides information, training, technical advice, and assistance to the 23 Pacific governments that are members. |
