Introduction
Background
The Lapita, skilled navigators, first settled in New Caledonia around 1600 B.C. British explorers arrived in 1774, and in 1853, France annexed New Caledonia. During World War II, New Caledonia became an important base for Allied troops. In 1953, French citizenship was granted to all inhabitants.
Geography
Area
total : 18,575 sq km
land: 18,275 sq km
water: 300 sq km
Climate
tropical; modified by southeast trade winds; hot, humid
Natural resources
nickel, chrome, iron, cobalt, manganese, silver, gold, lead, copper
People and Society
Population
total: 304,167
Ethnic groups
Kanak 39.1%, European 27.1%, Wallisian, Futunian 8.2%, Tahitian 2.1%, Indonesian 1.4%, Ni-Vanuatu 1%, Vietnamese 0.9%, other 17.7%, unspecified 2.5% (2014 est.)
Languages
French (official), 33 Melanesian-Polynesian dialects
Religions
Christian 85.2%, Muslim 2.8%, other 1.6%, unaffiliated 10.4% (2020 est.)
Population growth rate
1.14% (2024 est.)
Government
Government type
parliamentary democracy (Territorial Congress); an overseas collectivity of France
Capital
name: Noumea
Executive branch
chief of state: President Emmanuel MACRON (since 14 May 2017); represented by High Commissioner Louise LEFRANC (since 6 February 2023)
head of government: President of the Government Louis MAPOU (since 22 July 2021)
Legislative branch
summary: unicameral Territorial Congress (54 seats)
Economy
Economic overview
upper-middle-income French Pacific territorial economy; enormous nickel reserves; ongoing French independence negotiations; large Chinese nickel exporter; luxury eco-tourism destination; large French aid recipient; high cost-of-living; lingering wealth disparities
Real GDP (purchasing power parity)
$10.266 billion (2021 est.)
$11.11 billion (2017 est.)
$10.89 billion (2016 est.)
Real GDP per capita
$35,700 (2021 est.)
$31,100 (2015 est.)
$32,100 (2014 est.)
Exports
$1.92 billion (2021 est.)
$1.8 billion (2020 est.)
$1.79 billion (2019 est.)
Exports - partners
China 62%, South Korea 14%, Japan 12%, Taiwan 2%, Spain 2% (2022)
Exports - commodities
iron alloys, nickel ore, nickel, aircraft, essential oils (2022)
Imports
$2.26 billion (2021 est.)
$2.1 billion (2020 est.)
$2.48 billion (2019 est.)
Imports - partners
France 30%, Australia 22%, Singapore 13%, China 6%, Malaysia 6% (2022)
Imports - commodities
refined petroleum, coal, cars, packaged medicine, trucks (2022)
Page last updated: Tuesday, October 15, 2024
