New Caledonia Information
Information for New Caledonia
Map of New Caledonia
New Caledonia, is a French overseas Territory of France located in the sub-region of Melanesia in the southwest Pacific. New Caledonia is divided politically into three provinces: Province Nord, Province Sud and Province des Iles. Each Province is administered by an elected President, the Provinces are administratively autonomous and they are placed under the control of the Congress. The applicable law is French law administered by a representative of the French government, the High Commissioner of the Republic. Apart from the presence of the French army, there is also the French navy, there are other forms of paramilitary forces in New Caledonia, the Gendarmes (men in arms) have jurisdiction in townships and villages outside of Noumea, they do not have jurisdiction in Noumea which is under the care of the National Police. Both in townships and Noumea there is also another Police, the Municipal Police, with a uniform similar to the National Police but unarmed, its role being mainly to control the traffic. New Caledonia comprises a main island, Grand Terre (mainland) the Loyalty Islands and several smaller islands. It has approximately a land area of 18,575.5 square kilometres (7,172 sq mi). The population was estimated in January 2009 to be 249,000. New Caledonia is located -21.5; 165.5 in the southwest Pacific Ocean, approximately 1,428 kilometers (887 mi) east of Australia and 1,924 kilometers (1,195 mi) northwest of New Zealand. The island nation of Vanuatu lies to the northeast.
The capital and largest city of the territory is Nouméa. The major languages spoken are French which is the official language, Melanesian and Polynesian English is also widely spoken. The currency is the CFP franc (XPF).
Discovered by James Cook in September 4, 1774, New Caledonia has been a French colony since 1853. It became a French Overseas Territory in 1946.
The mainstays of the country’s economy are mining, tourism and, to a lesser degree, agriculture and fishing. The agricultural sector produces cereals, fruit and vegetables, as well as copra and coffee for export. The fishing industry trawls primarily for shrimp which has been farmed for the past 20 years, and tuna - the bulk of which is sold to Japan. In the mining sector, New Caledonia is the world’s largest producer of nickel after Canada and the USA, and has about one-quarter of the world’s known deposits; this generates 90% of the country’s export revenue. There are also deposits of cobalt, iron, manganese, lead and zinc.
Noumea
Noumea is the capital city of New Caledonia. It is situated on a peninsula in the south of New Caledonia’s main island, Grande Terreand is home to majority of the islands populations. The city lies on a protected deepwater harbour which serves as the chief port for New Caledonia. The population in 2009 was almost 96 000. Noumea is the most “westernised” city in the Pacific Islands region.
New Caledonia Mines
Koniambo Nickel Mine
Koniambo is located near the North Province capital on Kone in New Caledonia, a overseas department of France in the South Pacific. Koniambo has a mine life in excess of 25 years. Open pit mining methods will be used to mine the nickel ore – saprolite. Hydraulic excavators, bulldozers and haul trucks represent an important part of the mining equipment.
Vale Inco New Caledonia Mine
Goro Nickel Mine is located SE of Noumea in New Caledonia, and is one of the largest mining projects under construction anywhere in the world. Goro primarily produces nickel and is also active in Cobalt. The mine on the Goro plateau will be open cast.
Kouaoua Mining Centre
The Kouaoua mining center is located on New Caledonia’s east coast, 140km north of Noumea, the mines are about 10kms from the coast. Mining silicate ore.
Tiebaghi Mining Centre
The Tiebaaghi mining centre is located on New Caledonia’s west coast 400kms north of Noumea. Mining chromium, cobalt and nickel ores.
Thio
Thio is located on New Caledonia’s east coast, in South Province, 120km form Noumea. Mining began there at the very start of the nickel industry in 1880 and has carried on ever since. Mining silicated ore.
Kuto Bay New Caledonia
Doniambo Smelter
The Doniambo Smelter is located in the harbour of Noumea giving direct access to ore- carriers and freighters. It is the largest ferro-nickel producer in the world.
Map of Oceania
Climate
The climate of the islands is tropical. There are two main seasons, a dry season and a warm and wet season. The dry months are from April to November with daily temperature ranges from 17 -27degrees celsius. During the wet season December to March the temperature can reach 32 degrees Celsius.
Economy
New Caledonian soils contain a considerable wealth of industrially critical elements and minerals, including about one-quarter of the worlds nickel resources. Mining is a significant industry that greatly benefits the territories economy. New Caledonia has about 25% of the worlds known nickel resources.
St. Maurice Monument at Isle of Pines, New Caledonia
Religion
The majority is Roman Catholic 60% and Protestantism 30%. There is also a Muslim Mosque and Buddhist community.
Languages
French is the official language of New Caledonia, basic English can be understood
Rue de la Somme
Driving in New Caledonia
Driving in New Caledonia is on the right hand side and roads are tarsealed and although signs are in French, navigation is easy. Most of the roads are sealed from the north to the south as well as across the range. There are also numerous dirt roads that lead to the mines and it may be necessary to use a 4 wheel drive for these.
There is also a regular bus service operation on the main island with small boats and regular domestic air services operating from the mainland to the outer islands.
Central Queensland Site Services
Overseas Recruitment helping
People who want to Live and work in
New Caledonia
