New Caledonia Facts and Culture

What is New Caledonia famous for?

• Cultural Attributes: New Caledonia is an overseas territory of France. Melanesians are about 40 percent of the population with Europeans are just under... More

What is the capital of New Caledonia?

Capital	Noumea
Government Type	parliamentary democracy (Territorial Congress); an overseas collectivity of France
Currency	CFP Franc (XPF)
Total Area	7,172 Square Miles 18,575 Square Kilometers
Location	Oceania, islands in the South Pacific Ocean, east of Australia
Language	French (official), 33 Melanesian-Polynesian dialects
GDP - real growth rate	2.8%
GDP - per capita (PPP)	$38,800.00 (USD)

What is the population of New Caledonia?

Ethnic Groups	Melanesian 42.5%, European 37.1%, Wallisian 8.4%, Polynesian 3.8%, Indonesian 3.6%, Vietnamese 1.6%, other 3%
Nationality Noun	New Caledonian(s)
Population	290,009
Population Growth Rate	1.45%
Population in Major Urban Areas	NOUMEA (capital) 157,000
Urban Population	61.700000

What type of government does New Caledonia have?

Executive Branch	chief of state: President Emmanuel MACRON (since 14 May 2017); represented by High Commissioner Louise LEFRANC (since 6 February 2023) head of government: President of the Government Louis MAPOU (since 22 July 2021); Vice President Isabelle CHAMPMOREAU (since 22 July 2021) cabinet: Cabinet elected from and by the Territorial Congress elections/appointments: French president directly elected by absolute majority popular vote in 2 rounds if needed for a 5-year term (eligible for a second term); high commissioner appointed by the French president on the advice of the French Ministry of Interior; president of New Caledonia elected by Territorial Congress for a 5-year term (no term limits); election last held on 8 July 2021 (next to be held in 2026) election results: 2021: Louis MAPOU (PALIKA) elected president by Territorial Congress with 6 of 11 votes 2019: Thierry SANTA (The Republicans) elected president by Territorial Congress with 6 of 11 votes
Suffrage	18 years of age; universal
Citizenship	see France
National Holiday	Fete de la Federation, 14 July (1790); note - the local holiday is New Caledonia Day, 24 September (1853)
Constitution	history: 4 October 1958 (French Constitution with changes as reflected in the Noumea Accord of 5 May 1998) amendments: French constitution amendment procedures apply
Independence	none (overseas collectivity of France); note - in three independence referenda, on 4 November 2018, 4 October 2020, and 12 December 2021, the majority voted to reject independence in favor of maintaining the status quo; an 18-month transition period is now in place (ending 30 June 2023), during which a referendum on the new status of New Caledonia within France will take place

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What environmental issues does New Caledonia have?

Climate	tropical; modified by southeast trade winds; hot, humid
Environment - Current Issues	erosion caused by mining exploitation and forest fires
Terrain	coastal plains with interior mountains

How big is the New Caledonia economy?

Economic Overview	New Caledonia has 11% of the world's nickel reserves, representing the second largest reserves on the planet. Only a small amount of the land is suitable for cultivation, and food accounts for about 20% of imports. In addition to nickel, substantial financial support from France - equal to more than 15% of GDP - and tourism are keys to the health of the economy. With the gradual increase in the production of two new nickel plants in 2015, average production of metallurgical goods stood at a record level of 94 thousand tons. However, the sector is exposed to the high volatility of nickel prices, which have been in decline since 2016. In 2017, one of the three major mining firms on the island, Vale, put its operations up for sale, triggering concerns of layoffs ahead of the 2018 independence referendum.
Industries	nickel mining and smelting
Currency Name and Code	CFP Franc (XPF)
Export Partners	France 22.8%, Japan 21.2%, Spain 8.7%, Australia 7.6%, South Korea 6.3%, Italy 5.6%
Import Partners	France 39.6%, Australia 12.8%, Singapore 9.9%, New Zealand 5.1%, US 4.4%

What current events are happening in New Caledonia?
Source: Google News

What makes New Caledonia a unique country to travel to?

Country Description

New Caledonia is a French overseas territory located in the Southwest Pacific near Australia. It consists of the large island of New Caledonia, the Loyalty Islands, the Isle of Pines, and several smaller island groups. The capital is Noumea. New Caledonia's moderately developed economy is based on mining and, to a lesser degree, tourism. Tourist facilities can be found throughout New Caledonia, the Loyalty Islands, and the Isle of Pines. The French Government Tourism Office, which has a wide range of information available to travelers, can be contacted by telephone at (212) 838-7800.

Crime

The crime rate in New Caledonia is low; however, petty crime such as pick pocketing and purse-snatching does occur. Fights and assaults sometimes occur outside discotheques and bars, especially over weekends and holidays and at closing time.

Do not buy counterfeit and pirated goods, even if they are widely available. Not only are the bootlegs illegal in the United States, you may be breaking local law too.

The import or possession of counterfeit items is a crime in New Caledonia and even having any such items in your baggage on arrival can lead to their seizure and serious fines for the person involved.

Criminal Penalties

While you are traveling in New Caledonia, you are subject to its laws even if you are a U.S. citizen. Foreign laws and legal systems can be vastly different from our own. In New Caledonia, you may be taken in for questioning if you don’t have your passport with you, and driving under the influence could land you immediately in jail. There are also some things that might be legal in the country you visit, but still illegal in the United States, and you can be prosecuted under U.S. law if you buy pirated goods. Engaging in sexual conduct with children or using or disseminating child pornography in a foreign country is a crime prosecutable in the United States. If you break local laws in New Caledonia, your U.S. passport won’t help you avoid arrest or prosecution. It’s very important to know what’s legal and what’s not where you are going. While some countries will automatically notify the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate if a U.S. citizen is detained or arrested in a foreign country, that might not always be the case. To ensure that the United States is aware of your circumstances, request that the police and prison officials notify the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate as soon as you are arrested or detained overseas.

Medical Facilities and Health Information

Medical treatment on the main island is generally good but is more limited on the outer islands. The Centre Hospitalier Territorial in Noumea provides emergency and outpatient services, as does the smaller Centre Hospitalier Nord in Koumac in the northern part of the main island of New Caledonia and the Centre Hospitalier Est in Poindimie on the east coast of the main island. Doctors and hospitals often expect immediate cash payment for health services. Patients with more serious illnesses are often referred to Noumea, Australia, or France for treatment. In the event of a medical evacuation to Australia, you need to submit a referral from a doctor in New Caledonia, proof of acceptance by an Australian doctor, and proof of the patient's ability to pay for the medical treatment to Australian visa authorities to get a visa. Serious medical problems requiring hospitalization and/or medical evacuation to the United States can cost thousands of dollars.

Safety and Security

Marches highlighting labor or political issues take place in the greater Noumea area from time to time. Protests and demonstrations sometimes occur and can turn violent. You should avoid large public demonstrations at all times.

Traffic Safety and Road Conditions

In a foreign country, road conditions may differ significantly from those in the United States. The information below concerning New Caledonia is for general reference only and may not be accurate in each location or circumstance:

Roads are generally well maintained except in remote areas. Animals and unwary pedestrians walking in the road make night driving on unlit secondary roads hazardous.