Page last updated on January 28, 2014

Introduction:
Background:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
Settled by both Britain and France during the first half of the 19th century, the island became a French possession in 1853. It served as a penal colony for four decades after 1864. Agitation for independence during the 1980s and early 1990s ended in the 1998 Noumea Accord, which over a period of 15 to 20 years will transfer an increasing amount of governing responsibility from France to New Caledonia. The agreement also commits France to conduct a referendum between 2014 and 2018 to decide whether New Caledonia should assume full sovereignty and independence.
Geography:
Location:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
Oceania, islands in the South Pacific Ocean, east of Australia
Geographic coordinates:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
21 30 S, 165 30 E
Map references:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
Oceania
Area:
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total: 18,575 sq km
country comparison to the world: 156
land: 18,275 sq km
water: 300 sq km
Area - comparative:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
slightly smaller than New Jersey
Land boundaries:
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0 km
Coastline:
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2,254 km
Maritime claims:
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territorial sea: 12 nm
exclusive economic zone: 200 nm
Climate:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
tropical; modified by southeast trade winds; hot, humid
Terrain:
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coastal plains with interior mountains
Elevation extremes:
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lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m
highest point: Mont Panie 1,628 m
Natural resources:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
nickel, chrome, iron, cobalt, manganese, silver, gold, lead, copper
Land use:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
arable land: 0.38%
permanent crops: 0.27%
other: 99.34% (2011)
Irrigated land:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
100 sq km (2003)
Natural hazards:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
cyclones, most frequent from November to March
volcanism: Matthew and Hunter Islands are historically active
Environment - current issues:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
erosion caused by mining exploitation and forest fires
Geography - note:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
consists of the main island of New Caledonia (one of the largest in the Pacific Ocean), the archipelago of Iles Loyaute, and numerous small, sparsely populated islands and atolls
People and Society:
Nationality:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
noun: New Caledonian(s)
adjective: New Caledonian
Ethnic groups:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
Melanesian 44.1%, European 34.1%, Wallisian & Futunian 9%, Tahitian 2.6%, Indonesian 2.5%, Vietnamese 1.4%, Ni-Vanuatu 1.1%, other 5.2% (1996 census)
Languages:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
French (official), 33 Melanesian-Polynesian dialects
Religions:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
Roman Catholic 60%, Protestant 30%, other 10%
Population:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
264,022 (July 2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 183
Age structure:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
0-14 years: 24% (male 32,390/female 30,996)
15-24 years: 17.1% (male 23,000/female 22,060)
25-54 years: 42.6% (male 56,533/female 55,907)
55-64 years: 8.1% (male 10,526/female 10,842)
65 years and over: 8.2% (male 9,732/female 12,036) (2013 est.)
population pyramid: "> Dependency ratios:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
total dependency ratio: 48.3 %
youth dependency ratio: 33.6 %
elderly dependency ratio: 14.7 %
potential support ratio: 6.8 (2013)
Median age:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
total: 30.7 years
male: 30.1 years
female: 31.3 years (2013 est.)
Population growth rate:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
1.45% (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 83
Birth rate:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
15.81 births/1,000 population (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 127
Death rate:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
5.39 deaths/1,000 population (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 177
Net migration rate:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
4.12 migrant(s)/1,000 population
country comparison to the world: 27
note: there has been steady emigration from Wallis and Futuna to New Caledonia (2013 est.)
Urbanization:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
urban population: 57% of total population (2010)
rate of urbanization: 1.4% annual rate of change (2010-15 est.)
Major urban areas - population:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
NOUMEA (capital) 144,000 (2009)
Sex ratio:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female
0-14 years: 1.05 male(s)/female
15-24 years: 1.04 male(s)/female
25-54 years: 1.01 male(s)/female
55-64 years: 0.98 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.81 male(s)/female
total population: 1 male(s)/female (2013 est.)
Infant mortality rate:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
total: 5.54 deaths/1,000 live births
country comparison to the world: 178
male: 6.54 deaths/1,000 live births
female: 4.49 deaths/1,000 live births (2013 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
total population: 77.13 years
country comparison to the world: 70
male: 73.08 years
female: 81.37 years (2013 est.)
Total fertility rate:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
2.02 children born/woman (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 126
Drinking water source:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
improved:
unimproved:
Sanitation facility access:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
improved:
unimproved:
HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
NA
HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
NA
HIV/AIDS - deaths:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
NA
Education expenditures:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
NA
Literacy:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
definition: age 15 and over can read and write
total population: 96.2%
male: 96.8%
female: 95.5% (1996 census)
Government:
Country name:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
conventional long form: Territory of New Caledonia and Dependencies
conventional short form: New Caledonia
local long form: Territoire des Nouvelle-Caledonie et Dependances
local short form: Nouvelle-Caledonie
Dependency status:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
territorial collectivity (or a sui generis collectivity) of France since 1998
Government type:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
parliamentary representative democracy
Capital:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
name: Noumea
geographic coordinates: 22 16 S, 166 27 E
time difference: UTC+11 (16 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time)
Administrative divisions:
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none (overseas territory of France); there are no first-order administrative divisions as defined by the US Government, but there are three provinces named Province des Iles, Province Nord, and Province Sud
Independence:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
none (overseas territory of France); note - a referendum on independence was held in 1998 but did not pass; a new referendum is scheduled to take place between 2014 and 2018
National holiday:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
Fete de la Federation, 14 July (1789); note - the local holiday is New Caledonia Day, 24 September (1853)
Constitution:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
4 October 1958 (French Constitution with changes as reflected in Noumea Accord of 5 May 1998) (2013)
Legal system:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
civil law system based on French law; the 1988 Matignon Accords (signed in the Matignon Hotel) set up a ten-year period of development during which the Kanak community received substantial autonomy but agreed not to raise the independece issue
Suffrage:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
18 years of age; universal
Executive branch:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
chief of state: President Francois HOLLANDE (since 15 May 2012); represented by High Commissioner Jean-Jacques BROT (since 2 February 2013)
head of government: President of the Government Harold MARTIN (since 3 March 2011); note - since 3 March 2011, three different governments of Harold MARTIN have collapsed over the choice of a flag that will be used while it is being decolonized; President Harold MARTIN is head of a caretaker government
cabinet: Cabinet consisting of 11 members elected from and by the Territorial Congress
(For more information visit the World Leaders website )
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
elections: French president elected by popular vote for a five-year term; high commissioner appointed by the French president on the advice of the French Ministry of Interior; president of the government elected by the members of the Territorial Congress for a five-year term (no term limits); note - last election held on 10 June 2011 (next to be held in June 2016)
Legislative branch:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
unicameral Territorial Congress or Congres du territoire (54 seats; members belong to the three Provincial Assemblies, or Assemblees Provinciales, elected by popular vote to serve five-year terms)
elections: last held on 9 May 2009 (next to be held on 10 May 2014)
election results: percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - UMP 13, Caledonia Together 10, UC 8, UNI 8, AE 6, FLNKS 3, Labor Party 3, other 3
note: the Customary Senate is the assembly of the various traditional councils of the Kanaks, the indigenous population, which rules on laws affecting the indigenous population; New Caledonia holds two seats in the French Senate; elections last held on 21 September 2008 (next to be held not later than September 2014); results - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - UMP 2; New Caledonia also elects two seats to the French National Assembly; elections last held on 17 June 2012 (next to be held by June 2017); results - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - UMP 2
Judicial branch:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
highest court(s): Court of Appeal in Noumea or Cour d'Appel (the highest local judicial court; organized into civil, commercial, social, and pre-trial investigation chambers; number of judges NA); Conseil d'Etat (the highest local administrative court; number of judges NA)
judge selection and term of office: NA
subordinate courts: Courts of First Instance include: civil, juvenile, commercial, labor, police, criminal, Assizes, and also a pre-trial investigation chamber; Joint Commerce Tribunal; administrative courts
Political parties and leaders:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
Caledonia Together [Philippe GOMES]
Political pressure groups and leaders:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
NA
International organization participation:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
PIF (associate member), SPC, UPU, WFTU (NGOs)
Diplomatic representation in the US:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
none (overseas territory of France)
Diplomatic representation from the US:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
none (overseas territory of France)
Flag description:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
the flag of France is used
National symbol(s):
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
kagu bird
National anthem:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
name: "Soyons unis, devenons freres" (Let Us Be United, Let Us Become Brothers)
lyrics/music: Chorale Melodia (a local choir)
note: adopted 2008; the anthem contains a mixture of lyrics in both French and Nengone (an indigenous language); as a self-governing territory of France, in addition to the local anthem, "La Marseillaise" is official (see France)
Economy:
Economy - overview:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
New Caledonia has about 25% of the world's known nickel reserves. Only a small amount of the land is suitable for cultivation, and food accounts for about 20% of imports. In addition to nickel, substantial financial support from France - equal to more than 15% of GDP - and tourism are keys to the health of the economy; during 2009-10, France sent more development assistance to New Caledonia than to any of its other overseas territories. Substantial new investment in the nickel industry, combined with the recovery of global nickel prices, brightens the economic outlook for the next several years.
GDP (purchasing power parity):
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
$9.28 billion (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 154
GDP (official exchange rate):
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
$9.28 billion (2008 est.)
GDP - real growth rate:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
0.6% (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 169
GDP - per capita (PPP):
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
$37,700 (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 30
GDP - composition, by end use:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
household consumption: 65.5%
government consumption: 28%
investment in fixed capital: 28.2%
investment in inventories: 0%
exports of goods and services: 26.8%
imports of goods and services: -48.5%
GDP - composition, by sector of origin:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
agriculture: 2.1%
industry: 28.3%
services: 69.6% (2012 est.)
Agriculture - products:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
vegetables; beef, deer, other livestock products; fish
Industries:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
nickel mining and smelting
Industrial production growth rate:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
7% (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 35
Labor force:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
106,400 (2010)
country comparison to the world: 183
Labor force - by occupation:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
agriculture: 20%
industry: 20%
services: 60% (2002)
Unemployment rate:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
17.1% (2004)
country comparison to the world: 152
Population below poverty line:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
NA%
Household income or consumption by percentage share:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
lowest 10%: NA%
highest 10%: NA%
Budget:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
revenues: $996 million
expenditures: $1.072 billion (2001 est.)
Budget surplus (+) or deficit (-):
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
NA% of GDP
Fiscal year:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
calendar year
Inflation rate (consumer prices):
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
1.7% (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 35
Market value of publicly traded shares:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
$NA
Exports:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
$1.321 billion (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 150
Exports - commodities:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
ferronickels, nickel ore, fish
Exports - partners:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
Japan 17.2%, France 16.3%, South Korea 12.3%, China 9.6%, Australia 8.4%, Belgium 4.9% (2012)
Imports:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
$3.245 billion (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 143
Imports - commodities:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
machinery and equipment, fuels, chemicals, foodstuffs
Imports - partners:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
France 33.5%, Singapore 22.5%, Australia 11.7%, NZ 5.1% (2012)
Debt - external:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
$79 million (1998 est.)
country comparison to the world: 192
Exchange rates:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
Comptoirs Francais du Pacifique francs (XPF) per US dollar -
Energy:
Electricity - production:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
1.978 billion kWh (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 135
Electricity - consumption:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
1.84 billion kWh (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 140
Electricity - exports:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
0 kWh (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 108
Electricity - imports:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
0 kWh (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 110
Electricity - installed generating capacity:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
499,000 kW (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 138
Electricity - from fossil fuels:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
76.8% of total installed capacity (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 95
Electricity - from nuclear fuels:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
0% of total installed capacity (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 146
Electricity - from hydroelectric plants:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
15.6% of total installed capacity (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 98
Electricity - from other renewable sources:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
7.6% of total installed capacity (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 30
Crude oil - production:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
0 bbl/day (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 197
Crude oil - exports:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
0 bbl/day (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 160
Crude oil - imports:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
0 bbl/day (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 100
Crude oil - proved reserves:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
0 bbl (1 January 2013 es)
country comparison to the world: 168
Refined petroleum products - production:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
0 bbl/day (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 210
Refined petroleum products - consumption:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
13,640 bbl/day (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 148
Refined petroleum products - exports:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
116.9 bbl/day (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 119
Refined petroleum products - imports:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
14,670 bbl/day (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 120
Natural gas - production:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
0 cu m (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 171
Natural gas - consumption:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
0 cu m (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 176
Natural gas - exports:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
0 cu m (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 152
Natural gas - imports:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
0 cu m (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 102
Natural gas - proved reserves:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
0 cu m (1 January 2013 es)
country comparison to the world: 174
Carbon dioxide emissions from consumption of energy:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
3.026 million Mt (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 140
Communications:
Telephones - main lines in use:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
80,000 (2012)
country comparison to the world: 151
Telephones - mobile cellular:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
231,000 (2012)
country comparison to the world: 178
Telephone system:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
general assessment: a submarine cable network connection between New Caledonia and Australia, completed in 2007, increased network capacity and improved high-speed connectivity and access to international networks
domestic: combined fixed-line and mobile-cellular telephone subscribership exceeds 100 per 100 persons
international: country code - 687; satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Pacific Ocean) (2010)
Broadcast media:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
the publicly owned French Overseas Network (RFO), which operates in France's overseas departments and territories, broadcasts over the RFO Nouvelle Caledonie TV and radio stations; a small number of privately owned radio stations also broadcast (2008)
Internet country code:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
.nc
Internet hosts:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
34,231 (2012)
country comparison to the world: 104
Internet users:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
85,000 (2009)
country comparison to the world: 165
Transportation:
Airports:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
25 (2013)
country comparison to the world: 128
Airports - with paved runways:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
total: 12
over 3,047 m: 1
914 to 1,523 m: 10
under 914 m: 1 (2013)
Airports - with unpaved runways:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
total: 13
914 to 1,523 m: 5
under 914 m:
Heliports:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
8 (2013)
Roadways:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
total: 5,622 km (2006)
country comparison to the world: 151
Merchant marine:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
registered in other countries: 3 (France 3) (2010)
country comparison to the world: 135
Ports and terminals:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
major seaport(s): Noumea
Military:
Military branches:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
no regular military forces; French military, police, and gendarmerie (2012)
Manpower available for military service:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
males age 16-49: 68,219 (2010 est.)
Manpower fit for military service:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
males age 16-49: 56,233
females age 16-49: 55,983 (2010 est.)
Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
male: 2,272
female: 2,167 (2010 est.)
Military - note:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
defense is the responsibility of France