World Country Guide

General Information

Area
18,575 sq km (7172 sq miles).

Population
220,000 (official estimate 2000).

Population Density
10.6 per sq km.

Capital
Nouma. Population: 196,836 (1996).

Geography
New Caledonia consists of the Mainland, the Isle of Pines to the south of the Mainland, the Loyalty Islands to the east of the Mainland (Mar, Lifou, Tiga and Ouva), the Belep Archipelago in the northwest, and numerous islands and islets (Huon & Surprise, Christfield, Walpole, Beautmps-Beaupr, Astrolabe and the Bellona reef); a total surface area of 19,000 sq km (16,372 for the Mainland alone, which is 400km long). The Mainland is divided by a range of mountains (Chine Centrale), the highest points of which are Mount Panc in the north (1629m) and Mount Humboldt in the south (1618m). Various species of trees can be found here. This unusual relief divides the Grande Terre/Mainland into the East coast (humid and open to trade winds; fertile and exotic with lush tropical vegetation) from the West coast (dry and temperate; filled with niaouli trees, cattle and beautiful beaches).

Government
French Overseas Territory since 1957. Head of State: President Jacques Chirac, represented locally by High Commissioner Daniel Constantin since 2002.

Language
French is the official language, but there are approximately 30 different Melanesian languages. English and Japanese are also widely spoken.

Religion
Vast Christian majority, with 59 per cent Roman Catholic.

Time
GMT + 11 (GMT + 10 in summer).

Electricity
220 volts AC, 50Hz. European-style, two-pin plugs are in use.

Communications

Telephone
IDD is available. Country code: 687. Outgoing international code: 00. There is a 24-hour service for international calls. International calls are bookable at the post office (0745-1115 and 1215-1530) or through hotels. Most hotels have direct dial facilities.

Mobile telephone
GSM 900 network, operated by Mobilis (website: www.opt.nc). Roaming agreements exist (with some countries).

Fax
Available at most hotels and post offices.

Internet
ISPs include Offratel (website: www.offratel.nc). Public access is available in several Internet cafes and at ‘cyber points’ (computers available for public use in local businesses/ISPs).

Post
Airmail to Western Europe takes up to one week. The post office, located on rue Eugne Porcheron, is open Mon-Fri 0745-1115 and 1215-1530.

Press
Newspapers are published in French and include Les Nouvelles Caldoniennes (daily) and L'Hebdo, Les Infos and Tl 7 Jours (weekly).

Radio
BBC World Service (website: www.bbc.co.uk/worldservice) and Voice of America (website: www.voa.gov) can be received. From time to time the frequencies change and the most up-to-date can be found online.