New Caledonia

New Caledonia - Location and scenery

New Caledonia comprises a main island the "Grand Terre" and several smaller islands located in the southwest Pacific and is a collectivity that remains to France (the best kept secret). It has an extension of 18,575 km² with a population of 244,410. Nouméa is the capital and also the largest city.

The scenery of New Caledonia offers a endless variety, from sand beaches to spectacular mountain retreats. It is surrounded by a coral reef which is 1,600 km long and boasts the largest lagoon in the world which is 24,000 km² long.

Climate of New Caledonia

When speaking about New Caledonia's climate it can be divided into two different seasons: Between April and November is the dry cooler season with temperatures during the day ranging from 17 - 27 °C and the wet season during December to March with daily temperatures ranging 27 - 32 °C.

Population - The Melanesian Kanak

The largest ethnical group is the indigenous community, the Melanesian Kanak, representing about 44 % of the whole population. Other groups are formed predominantly by Europeans (mainly French). A minority come from Asia.

Although the official language is French there are about thirty indigenous languages.