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Location :
in the Pacific Islands (Coral Sea) including :
- « Grande-Terre » (400 km by 50 km)
- The 4 « îles Loyauté » to the East : Ouvéa,
Lifou, Tiga, Maré
- The Belep group of islands to the North-west, « île des Pins
» to the South and small islets.
The name of the island was given by James Cook in 1774 in memory of Scotland,
his Mother country.
Surname : « le Caillou »
Area : 18
575 km_
Population
: around 210 000 among which 38,8% living in Noumea
- South Province : 68 %
- North Province : 21%
- Islands Province : 11%
Climate :
Semi-Tropical
Time Zone
: GMT + 11 hours
Currency :
The Pacific Franc- CPF (100 Francs CPF = 5,50 French Francs)
Air & Sea
connections :
- 1 international airport (Tontouta, 52 km away from Noumea)
- Magenta Airport for domestic flights (airline company : Air Calédonie)
- 1 main port in Noumea Bay, and other ports for ore carriers
The 16 02 1999 Law defines its institutional organization
Government composition
: 1 President, 1 Vice-President
1 Territorial Congress
3 Provinces
Parishes :
33 - Districts : 57
New-Caledonia is characterized by a gap between the North and the South
:
- 2/3 of the population live in Noumea (on 10 % of the territory) and 3/4
of the companies are also located there
- The North essentially concentrates on fishing and agriculture
Nickel Industry represents 12,3% of the world production, which makes New
Caledonia the third largest world producer.
Agriculture
employs 28% of the population ; main productions are coffee and coprah.
Most of the production is consumed locally.
Fishing :
Several fishing methods are used. Almost all of the fishing production of
which 80% tuna fish is exported to Japan.
Aquaculture, which produces mainly shrimps, is developing.
The Industry
sector is represented by small and medium size industries accounting for 14%
of the GDP. Most of them deal with construction, Food and drink industries.
Local products are beer, cements, soaps, raw and refined oil.
Handicraft
accounts for 18% of the working population.
Building
trade represent 40% of the manpower, and metal, mechanic and electricity trade,
20%.
Tourism is
quite healthy.