If there is a truly heavenly spot on Earth, it is probably located in New Caledonia. At least that's what those who have been here are saying. And it's hard to argue with this - magnificent beaches, snow-white yachts swaying on azure waves. In addition, serene calm always reigns here, not interrupted by various events that periodically shake the world political arena.
Amazing facts about New Caledonia
Even though New Caledonia is located in the Pacific Ocean, de jure, it is considered an overseas department of France. And, like other former French colonies that never gained independence, this country primarily exists thanks to the financial support of the metropolis. It is not so easy for the French to move here to live because they will not receive any social benefits here. The French authorities decided to cut off the flow of their citizens who wanted to wallow on New Caledonian beaches, do nothing and live on welfare.
1. New Caledonia is located in the southwestern part of the Pacific Ocean, in Melanesia.
2. This country is one large island in the Pacific Ocean, including a relatively small island group.
3. New Caledonia is a particular administrative-territorial entity of France.
4. About a quarter of the New Caledonian population are Europeans, primarily French.
5. New Caledonia consists of the leading and most significant island, Grande Ter, and several other smaller islands.
6. The total area of the New Caledonia archipelago is 19,060 km². This can be compared to the size of Wales.
7. The famous navigator James Cook first discovered these islands for Europeans.
8. Therefore, the island got its name in honor of Caledonia, an area located in Scotland, which was the birthplace of Captain Cook.
9. From the nearest giant neighbor, Australia, New Caledonia is separated by 1200 kilometers.
10 ... According to scientists, New Caledonia separated from Australia about 66 million years ago.
11. Then, for 16 million years, the archipelago drifted in a northeasterly direction until it reached its current position about 50 million years ago.
12. The first people appeared here about 3.5 thousand years ago. After the discovery of this archipelago by Cook, British whalers and sandalwood traders soon began to appear there.
13. The influx of foreigners brought trade and many diseases that the indigenous population first encountered. Leprosy, smallpox and dysentery led to the mass extinction of the indigenous people.
14. As trade in this place expanded, so did the number of missions, which further eradicated local customs and traditions.
15. The French arrived on the island's territory in 1843 under the pretext of protecting the indigenous population and made it their colony in 1853.
16. But the French needed New Caledonia only to counteract British influence in this region.
17. New Caledonia was a French colony from 1853 until the end of the 1980s.
18. In 1988, the Matignon Accords were signed, according to which the archipelago gained independence but remained under the strong influence of France.
19. The former colonialist retained his powers in defense, currency, public order, justice, and foreign affairs.
20. Despite the new status, New Caledonia depends on France. More than 50% of this country's income is subsidies from France.
21. Europeans first settled in New Caledonia when France established a colony there. In the 19th century, the French sent former prisoners there and gave them land there to farm and build houses.
22. Now, out of 278,500 people in New Caledonia, about 30% have French roots.
23. Of the entire population of the whole country - a little more than a quarter of a million people, about a hundred thousand live in the capital city of Noumea.
24. And about 40% of the local population are Kanaks, representatives of one of the peoples of Melanesia. However, their culture practically disappeared under the influence of France. Even the purely Kanak villages here are more like European than Pacific settlements.
25. In 2018, a referendum was organized on the independence of New Caledonia from France, resulting in the overwhelming majority of voters opposing independence.
26. The local currency is called the French Pacific franc. In addition to New Caledonia, this currency is circulated on the Wallis, Futuna Islands, and French Polynesia.
27. French traditions are decisive here. This manifests itself in architecture, local food, and croissants. But this does not surprise anyone since New Caledonia is an overseas possession of France.
28. Not surprisingly, the official language of New Caledonia is French.
29. Although the locals speak 30 Melanesian and Polynesian languages and dialects.
30. Of course, most of the population speaks French. New Caledonia. But Indonesian, Vietnamese, Tahitian, Welsh, and Chinese are among the archipelago's 30 most widely spoken languages .
31. Since most of the country's population is fluent in two languages, French and one of the 30 most common languages.
32. But most people here do not speak English. Tourists must learn French if they desire to feel comfortable while relaxing in New Caledonia.
33. Most citizens of New Caledonia identify themselves as Catholics.
34. Almost 97% of the local population is literate, which is a high rate for countries in Oceania.
35. Education in New Caledonia is free and compulsory for children between 6 and 16. Primary education lasts five years. Secondary education is divided into two cycles: the first last four years, and the second - is three years.
36. If Caledonian citizens wished to obtain a higher education, they did not have to travel abroad. There are five higher educational institutions in the country.
37. Education in New Caledonia is based on the French curriculum provided by French and French-trained teachers.
38. The national flag of New Caledonia is a rectangular panel with three stripes: blue, red, and green. The blue stripe symbolizes the sky and the ocean. Red is the blood that the patriots shed in the fight for freedom. The red color also represents collectivism. Green is the color of ancestors.
39. Besides the three stripes, the flag has a yellow circle with a spire inside. The ring symbolizes the sun. It became the national flag in July 2010. Before that, it was used as a regional flag, France's national flag.
40. The Kanaks, the indigenous people of the archipelago, have long cultivated yams, Talos (potato-like roots), bananas, and sweet potatoes. Until recently, these products were the main ones in their diet. Also, bats were used as Kanaka meat. Now, these products are leaving their table, replaced by rice (instead of yams and that), frozen foods, beef, pork, and lamb.
41. Noumea, the capital of New Caledonia, was built by French colonists and was practically the only major city. About 90% of the population lives in the money, which does not have indigenous roots.
42. The climate here is tropical. There are two seasons: hot and humid and dry and cool. Hot and humid last from November to March. The average temperature is kept within 27-30 degrees Celsius. And the dry and cool season lasts from June to August when the average air temperature reaches 20-23 degrees Celsius.
43. Here in the central mountain range, the highest peaks are Mont Panier (height 1629 meters), located in the north, and Mont Humboldt (elevation 1618 meters), located in the southeast.
44. Despite the compact size of the country's main island, about 3,000 different plant species grow on it.
45. And forests cover about 15% of all New Caledonia.
46. Large tracts of forest have been preserved in the vicinity of Jensen. Severe rocks, framed by picturesque waterfalls, break through the green cover.
47. Near Yengen, there is “the most picturesque cliff in the country” - the “black rocks” Linderalik and Mount Pani. In the town itself, it is worth getting acquainted with the Goa-Ma-Bwarhat Cultural Center - a venue for folklore performances.
48. New Caledonia is a unique oasis of Pacific flora and fauna. The archipelago is surrounded by the most significant 1600 km reef barrier in Oceania, forming a relatively closed ecosystem.
49. For 300 million years, the islands were completely isolated from the rest of the world; this explains the vast number of endemics, especially in the plant world - about 2,500 unique plants make New Caledonia the "first botanical garden" of the entire South Pacific region.
50. The pride of the Caledonian flora is Amborella Trihopoda, the "mother of flowers" on our planet.
51. The animal world here is not very diverse. Only a few species of bats lived in New Caledonia even before the advent of Europeans, deer, and wild pigs, and there are no other mammals. Also, there are no poisonous snakes or frogs.
52. Several species of scorpions and centipedes can be found on the country's territory. It is also curious that many geckos live on the local islands.
53. And up to 100 species of birds are found here, and in New Caledonia, there are 22 species of birds that live only in this region and are not found anywhere else in the world.
54. Although New Caledonia receives a lot of money from France and tourists, the main contribution to the budget is the extraction of nickel, the rich deposits here. Nickel mining in the archipelago began in 1894.
55. Nickel is New Caledonia's main export commodity. According to preliminary estimates, about 25% of its world reserves are in New Caledonia.
56. Horse racing is popular in New Caledonia, as is women's cricket.
57. The visa regime here is quite strict. For example, even holders of French passports must come to terms with the fact that their stay on the island is limited.
58. Salaries here are much higher than in other Pacific countries. Prices, by the way, too.
59. New Caledonia is a hospitable country with gourmet food under palm trees, white sand, chic resorts, and bungalows. If there is a truly heavenly spot on Earth, it is probably located in New Caledonia. At least that's what those who have been here are saying.
60. magnificent beaches and snow-white yachts are swaying on the azure waves. In addition, serene calm always reigns here, not interrupted by various events that periodically shake the world political arena.
