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New Caledonia flag

New Caledonia

Nouvelle-Caledonie

Capital:Noumea
Population:229,993
Currency:CFP Franc (XPF)
Language:French (official), 33 Melanesian-Polynesian dialects
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Quick Look Factsheet

A multi-page overview of New Caledonia.

New Caledonia Factsheet

Customs and Culture

About the People

New Caledonia is an overseas territory of France. Melanesians are about 40 percent of the population with Europeans are just under 40 percent. Nickel mining has help raise the standard of living in New Caledonia but it has also scared the countryside. Farmers raise their own food and sell small amounts of coffee and copra (dried meat, or kernel, of the coconut) for export.

Cultural Attributes

New Caledonia is an overseas territory of France. Melanesians are about 40 percent of the population with Europeans are just under 40 percent. Nickel mining has help raise the standard of living in New Caledonia but it has also scared the countryside. Farmers raise their own food and sell small amounts of coffee and copra (dried meat, or kernel, of the coconut) for export.

Kone

Land of Nickel and Melanesian Roots

Noumea

Holidays

  • Bastille Day

    7/14

    Other

Dates of Interest

  • July 14th

How do people in New Caledonia make a living?

New Caledonia's economy combines nickel mining with small-scale farming, where farmers raise their own food and sell modest amounts of coffee and copra for export.

Good to know

  • Nickel mining has raised the standard of living but has scarred the countryside
  • Copra is the dried meat, or kernel, of the coconut

What should travelers know before visiting New Caledonia?

New Caledonia is an overseas territory of France with a population that is about 40 percent Melanesian and just under 40 percent European.

Good to know

  • Expect a French overseas territory with strong Melanesian and European populations

Last updated: 2026-07-12 · Sources: CountryReports

Photos of New Caledonia

Travel and Tourism

Travel Alert Status
Level 1: Exercise Normal Precautions
Currency
Comptoirs Francais du Pacifique franc (XPF); note - may adopt the euro in 2003
Time Difference
UTC+11 (16 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time)
Climate
tropical; modified by southeast trade winds; hot, humid
Airports
25
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History

Historical Eras

  1. Kanak Settlement

    3000 BCE – 1774

    Melanesian peoples, ancestors of the Kanak, settled New Caledonia approximately 3,000 years ago, developing complex chieftaincy systems, agricultural terracing, and rich ceremonial traditions. Their society was organized around clans and customary land rights that remain culturally significant today. This era represents millennia of autonomous indigenous civilization prior to any European contact.

  2. Early Contact

    1774 – 1853

    Captain James Cook became the first European to sight New Caledonia in 1774, naming it for its resemblance to Scotland. The early 19th century brought British and American whalers, followed by Catholic and Protestant missionaries whose arrival profoundly disrupted Kanak culture — suppressing local practices, imposing Western dress, and introducing new customs such as cricket. France and Britain both established a presence during this period.

  3. French Annexation

    1853 – 1864

    France formally annexed New Caledonia in 1853 under Napoleon III, asserting sovereignty over the main island and its dependencies. The colonial administration displaced Kanak communities from their lands, relocating them onto restricted reserves to make way for European settlers and later economic exploitation. This foundational colonial act set the conditions for a century of indigenous marginalization.

  4. Penal Colony Era

    1864 – 1897

    For over three decades New Caledonia served as France's primary penal colony in the Pacific, receiving tens of thousands of convicts and political deportees, including Communards exiled after the 1871 Paris Commune. The convict labor economy shaped early European settlement patterns across the island. The closure of the penal colony in 1897 marked a transition toward a settler-colonial and resource-extraction economy centered on nickel mining.

  5. Overseas Territory

    1897 – 1985

    New Caledonia was formally designated a French Overseas Territory in 1946, granting its population French citizenship. The postwar decades saw rapid expansion of the nickel industry, a large influx of metropolitan French and other immigrant populations, and the continued political and economic marginalization of the Kanak majority. Kanak political consciousness grew steadily through the 1970s, laying the groundwork for open confrontation.

  6. Independence Struggle & Autonomy

    1985 – present

    The Front de Libération Nationale Kanak Socialiste (FLNKS), led by Jean-Marie Tjibaou, launched an organized independence movement beginning in 1985, demanding the creation of an independent state of Kanaky. Violent unrest culminated in the 1988 Ouvéa hostage crisis, prompting the Matignon Accords (1988) and later the Nouméa Accord (1998), which established a framework for progressive autonomy. New Caledonia remains on the UN decolonization list, with three independence referendums held between 2018 and 2021.

Overview

Catholic and Protestant missionaries first arrived in the 19th century. They had a profound effect on indigenous culture. They insisted people should wear clothes to cover themselves and introduced cricket and tea. They eradicated many local practices and traditions. Settled by France during the first half of the 19th century, the island was made a French possession in 1853. It served as a penal colony for four decades after 1864. To this day New Caledonia remains on the UN list of territories to be decolonised. Agitation by the Front de Liberation Nationale Kanak Socialiste (FLNKS) for independence began in 1985. The FLNKS (led by the late Jean Marie Tjibaou, assassinated in 1989) advocated the creation of an independent state of ’Kanaky’. The troubles culminated in 1988 with a bloody hostage taking in Ouvéa. The unrest led to agreement on increased autonomy in the Matignon Accords of 1988 and the Nouméa Accord of 1998.

Timeline of Key Events

  1. 1698

    New Caledonia was discovered by Captain Cook.

    New Caledonia was discovered by Captain Cook.

  2. 1840

    Arrival of British, American whalers.

    Arrival of British, American whalers.

  3. 1864 – 1897

    New Caledonia served as a penal colony.

    New Caledonia served as a penal colony.

  4. 1946

    New Caledonia proclaimed French Overseas Territory.

    New Caledonia proclaimed French Overseas Territory.

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Interesting Facts

  • New Caledonia served as a penal colony for four decades after 1864.

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Geography and Environment

Terrain
coastal plains with interior mountains
Climate
tropical; modified by southeast trade winds; hot, humid
Natural Hazards
cyclones, most frequent from November to March
Current Environmental Issues
erosion caused by mining exploitation and forest fires
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People & Demographics

Religion

Languages Spoken

French (official), 33 Melanesian-Polynesian dialects

  • French
  • Melanesian-Polynesian

Population

Population
229,993
Population in Major Urban Areas
NOUMEA (capital) 157,000
Nationality Noun
New Caledonian(s)
Ethnic Groups
Melanesian 42.5%, European 37.1%, Wallisian 8.4%, Polynesian 3.8%, Indonesian 3.6%, Vietnamese 1.6%, other 3%

Education

Literacy Definition
age 15 and over can read and write
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Government & Politics

Country Identity

Country Name
NewCaledonia
Full Country Name
Territory of New Caledonia and Dependencies
Local - Long
Territoire des Nouvelle-Caledonie et Dependances
Local - Short
Nouvelle-Caledonie

Government Structure

Government Type
NA
Legal System
the 1988 Matignon Accords grant substantial autonomy to the islands; formerly under French law
Executive Branch
chief of state: President of France Emmanuel MACRON (since 14 May 2017), represented by High Commissioner Louis LE FRANC (since 21 July 2021) head of government: President of the Government Louis MAPOU (since 8 July 2021) cabinet: Consultative Committee consists of members chosen from leading figures on the island to advise the High Commissioner; the Government of New Caledonia is a collegial body of 11 members elected by the Congress elections: French president elected by popular vote for a five-year term; high commissioner appointed by the French president on the advice of the French Ministry of Interior; president of the government elected by the members of the Territorial Congress; Louis MAPOU, leader of the Kanak and Socialist National Liberation Front (FLNKS), was elected president of the government in July 2021, becoming the first indigenous Kanak to hold the position
Legislative Branch
unicameral Territorial Congress or Congres Territorial (54 seats; members belong to the three Provincial Assemblies or Assemblees Provinciales elected by popular vote to serve five-year terms) elections: last held 9 May 2004 (next to be held NA 2009) election results: percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party - RPCR-UMP 16, AE 16, UNI-FLNKS 8, UC 7, FN 4, others 3 note: New Caledonia currently holds 1 seat in the French Senate; between 2004 and 2010 New Caledonia will gain a second seat in the French Senate; elections last held 24 September 2001 (next to be held not later than September 2007); results - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - UMP 1; New Caledonia also elects 2 seats to the French National Assembly; elections last held 9 and 16 June 2002 (next to be held by June 2007); results - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - UMP 2
Judicial Branch
Court of Appeal or Cour d'Appel; County Courts; Joint Commerce Tribunal Court; Children's Court
Suffrage
18 years of age; universal
Constitution
28 September 1958 (French Constitution)
Independence
none (overseas territory of France); note - a referendum on independence was held in 1998 but did not pass; a new referendum is scheduled for 2014
National Holiday
Bastille Day, 14 July (1789)

Capital City

Capital Name
Noumea
Capital - geographic coordinate
22 16 S, 166 27 E
Capital Time Difference
UTC+11 (16 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time)

established in 1854 as Port-de-France, the settlement was renamed Noumea in 1866, in order to avoid any confusion with Fort-de-France in Martinique; the New Caledonian language of Ndrumbea (also spelled Ndumbea, Dubea, and Drubea) spoken in the area gave its name to the capital city, Noumea, as well as to the neighboring town (suburb) of Dumbea

Military

Branches: no regular military forces; French military, police, and gendarmerie

Embassy / Diplomatic Mission

There is no U.S. Embassy or diplomatic post in New Caledonia. The U.S. Embassy in Fiji provides assistance for U.S. citizens in New Caledonia.

U.S. Embassy Suva

158 Princes Road, Suva, Fiji

(679) 331-4466

Emergency after-hours telephone: (679) 772-8049

Facsimile: (679) 330-2267

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Economy

New Caledonia holds approximately 20-30% of the world's known nickel resources, making mining the cornerstone of its economy. Only a small portion of the land is suitable for cultivation, and food accounts for roughly 20% of imports. Beyond nickel, substantial financial support from France—equivalent to about 15% of GDP—and tourism remain vital to economic stability. However, the territory has faced significant challenges in recent years, including a global downturn in nickel prices that has pushed several major nickel processing operations into financial distress, prompting emergency intervention from the French government. Civil unrest in 2024, sparked by disputes over voting rights and independence, caused considerable damage to infrastructure and businesses, further straining the economy and tourism sector. The medium-term outlook depends heavily on the restructuring of the nickel industry, restoration of political stability, and continued French financial support.

Snapshot

Currency Name and Code
CFP Franc (XPF)

Banknotes

New Caledonia Money - Front
New Caledonia Money - Front
New Caledonia Money - Back
New Caledonia Money - Back

Budget & Public Finance

Fiscal Year
calendar year
Annual Budget
$836,500,000 (USD)
External Debt
$79,000,000 (USD)
Economic Aid
$880,000,000 (USD)

Labor, Industry & Trade

Labor Force by Occupation
agriculture 7%; industry 23%; services 70%
Industries
nickel mining and smelting
Agriculture Products
vegetables; beef, deer, other livestock products
Export Commodities
ferronickels, nickel ore, fish
Export Partners
France 22.8%, Japan 21.2%, Spain 8.7%, Australia 7.6%, South Korea 6.3%, Italy 5.6%
Import Commodities
machinery and equipment, fuels, chemicals, foodstuffs
Import Partners
France 39.6%, Australia 12.8%, Singapore 9.9%, New Zealand 5.1%, US 4.4%

Energy

Oil Production
0 bbl/day
Oil Consumption
10,000 bbl/day
Oil Reserves
0 bbl/day
Natural Gas Production
0 cu m
Natural Gas Consumption
0 cu m
Natural Gas Imports
0 cu m
Natural Gas Exports
0 cu m
Natural Gas Reserves
0 cu m

Communications

Telephone System
general assessment: a submarine cable network connection between New Caledonia and Australia, completed in 2007, increased network capacity and improved high-speed connectivity and access to international networks domestic: combined fixed-line and mobile-cellular telephone subscribership exceeds 100 per 100 persons international: country code - 687; satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Pacific Ocean)
Internet Country Code
.nc

News & Weather

Current Weather

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Climate Overview

tropical; modified by southeast trade winds; hot, humid

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the population of New Caledonia?
The population of New Caledonia is approximately 229,993.
How do people in New Caledonia make a living?
New Caledonia's economy combines nickel mining with small-scale farming, where farmers raise their own food and sell modest amounts of coffee and copra for export. Nickel mining has raised the standard of living but has scarred the countryside Copra is the dried meat, or kernel, of the coconut
What should travelers know before visiting New Caledonia?
New Caledonia is an overseas territory of France with a population that is about 40 percent Melanesian and just under 40 percent European. Expect a French overseas territory with strong Melanesian and European populations
What is the capital of New Caledonia?
Nouméa is the capital and largest city of New Caledonia, situated on a natural harbor on the southwestern coast of the main island, Grande Terre. As the political, economic, and cultural hub of the territory, Nouméa is home to the territorial government and the majority of the population. The city reflects the territory's dual heritage, blending French colonial architecture with Melanesian cultural influences, and serves as the primary port for the nickel-export industry.
Where is New Caledonia located?
New Caledonia is located in Oceania, in the southwestern Pacific Ocean, roughly 1,500 kilometers (about 930 miles) east of Australia. The territory consists of the main island of Grande Terre and several smaller island groups, including the Loyalty Islands, the Belep archipelago, and the Isle of Pines. It is an overseas collectivity of France, giving it a unique political status distinct from both fully independent Pacific nations and mainland French departments.
What are the ocean and sea borders of New Caledonia?
New Caledonia is an island territory surrounded entirely by the Pacific Ocean, with the Coral Sea lying to the west and south. The main island, Grande Terre, is enclosed by one of the world's largest coral reef lagoons, a UNESCO World Heritage Site recognized for its exceptional marine biodiversity. This lagoon system separates the islands from the open ocean and plays a central role in local fishing, ecology, and tourism.
What is the predominant religion in New Caledonia?
Roman Catholicism is the dominant religion in New Caledonia, practiced by approximately 60 percent of the population. Protestantism accounts for around 30 percent of adherents, reflecting the influence of early missionary activity from both French Catholic orders and British Protestant missions during the nineteenth century. The remaining 10 percent of the population follows other religious traditions. Christian churches continue to play a significant role in community life, particularly among the indigenous Kanak Melanesian population.
What currency is used in New Caledonia?
The official currency of New Caledonia is the CFP Franc, with the ISO code XPF. The CFP Franc is also used in French Polynesia and Wallis and Futuna, and it is pegged at a fixed rate to the euro, reflecting New Caledonia's close financial and political ties to France. The currency's stability has contributed to a relatively high standard of living by Pacific regional standards, supported significantly by revenues from the nickel-mining industry.
What language is spoken in New Caledonia?
French is the sole official language of New Caledonia and is used in government, education, and media. Alongside French, the population speaks approximately 33 Melanesian and Polynesian dialects, most notably Kanak languages such as Drehu, Nengone, and Ajië. These indigenous languages are central to Kanak cultural identity and are recognized under territorial law, though French remains the common lingua franca among the territory's ethnically diverse population of Europeans, Melanesians, and other Pacific Islander communities.
What is New Caledonia known for?
New Caledonia is best known internationally for its vast reserves of nickel, which rank among the largest in the world and form the backbone of the territory's export economy. The territory's UNESCO-listed coral reef lagoon is celebrated for its extraordinary marine biodiversity and draws divers and naturalists from across the globe. Culturally, the indigenous Kanak people are renowned for their distinctive wood-carving traditions and ceremonial architecture, including the tall-roofed grande case. The territory also has a notable colonial and penal history, having served as a French penal colony for four decades following 1864.

Last reviewed 2026

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