UusKaledonia

UusKaledonia, also known as New Caledonia, is a special collectivity of France located in the southwestern Pacific Ocean. It is situated to the east of Australia, west of Vanuatu, and north of New Zealand. The territory comprises a main island, Grande Terre, and several smaller islands, including the Loyalty Islands, the Isle of Pines, and the Chesterfield Islands. The capital and largest city is Nouméa, located on Grande Terre.

The indigenous Kanak people have inhabited New Caledonia for thousands of years. European discovery is attributed to Captain James Cook in 1774, who named it New Caledonia. France claimed the territory in 1853 and it became a French colony, later a French overseas territory. In 1998, the Nouméa Accord was signed, establishing a unique status for New Caledonia within the French Republic, granting significant autonomy and outlining a path towards potential independence. This accord led to a referendum on self-determination held in 2018, where the majority voted to remain part of France. Further referendums have since been held, with similar outcomes.

New Caledonia boasts a rich biodiversity, with a high rate of endemism in its flora and fauna, both on land and in its extensive lagoon, which is a UNESCO World Heritage site. The economy is largely dependent on nickel mining, which is a significant global source of the metal, and tourism. The society is multicultural, with Kanak, European (often referred to as Caldoche), Wallisian, and other communities coexisting. The official language is French, but several indigenous Kanak languages and other languages are also spoken.