NEW CALEDONIA

Fr. Nouvelle Calédonie, internally self-governing territory of France (1995 est. pop. 185,000), land area 7,241 sq mi (18,760 sq km), South Pacific, c.700 mi (1,130 km) E of Australia. It comprises the island of New Caledonia, the Isle of Pines, the Loyalty Islands, Walpole Island, and the Huon, Chesterfield, and Belep groups. The capital is Nouméa on New Caledonia island. New Caledonia island, the largest island of the territory (6,223 sq mi/16,118 sq km), is mountainous and temperate in climate.

The island of New Caledonia is rich in mineral resources, especially nickel, chrome, iron, manganese, cobalt, gold, and silver. It is densely forested in some places, but almost all the kauri pine that was once an important export has been cut down. The principal industries are the mining and refining of nickel, iron mining, the production of coffee and copra, and shrimp farming. Tourism is also important. Cattle and poultry are raised, but many foodstuffs must still be imported. France, Japan, and Australia are the largest trading partners.

The population is about 45% Melanesian (Kanak) and 35% European (mostly French) with Polynesians in the outlying islands. French and several Melanesian and Polynesian dialects are spoken. About 60% of the population is Roman Catholic and 30% is Protestant. The government consists of a high commissioner appointed by France, an elected territorial congress, and a council. The territory is divided into three provinces, each with its own assembly.

Capt. James Cook sighted and named the main island in 1774; the French annexed it in 1853 and made it an overseas territory in 1946. Civil strife erupted in the 1980s as the Kanaks pushed for independence; the 1988 Matignon Accords between French and Melanesian delegations granted considerable autonomy to the islands and increased economic development aid from France. In 1998, New Caledonians approved a power-sharing agreement with France, and agreed to put off an independence referendum for 15–20 years. The territory became a French overseas country with full internal autonomy.

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