Hienghène NORTHERN PROVINCE
Poindimié Muéo
Bourail Thio SOUTHERN PROVINCE Noumea ÎLE DES PINS LOYALTY ISLANDS PROVINCE
Diverse cultural blend
New Caledonia is only two hours from Brisbane and less than three hours from Sydney. The Loyalty Islands, comprising Lifou, Maré, Ouvéa, are then just a short flight from the cosmopolitan capital of Nouméa. Here you will enjoy a wonderful international experience, with a unique combination of French finesse and Melanesian culture.
Capital and major centres Nouméa, New Caledonia's only city, offers a touch of the French Riviera in the South Pacific. The colourful waterfronts are lined with a variety bars, cafes, restaurants and nightclubs.
Tontouta International airport is around
45 minutes north and Magenta Domestic airport is just a few minutes drive from the city centre.
The mainland, known as 'Grande Terre', is the main island of New Caledonia and offers a diverse range of scenery, sights and activities. South and east of the mainland lie the Isle of Pines and the Loyalty Islands.
180 www.paradisesonline.com The people
The population is approximately 231,000 and the official language is French. There are about 30 different Melanesian languages, but English is widely spoken, particularly in the tourist industry.
History In 1774 Captain James Cook arrived in New Caledonia and eighteen years later Frenchman Bruny d'Entrecasteaux, while searching for the missing navigator La Perouse, stopped at Balade and the Isle of Pines. In 1957 New Caledonia became a French Overseas Territory.
Nature
The animal life consists of many species, some of which are not found elsewhere. The cagou (a flightless bird which is New Caledonia's symbol), the green pigeon, the crested parrot and the flying fox are in abundance.
New Caledonia boasts the world's largest lagoon and second largest coral reef, which is now on the World Heritage List. It is the third largest archipelago in
