<p><img src="images/newcaledoniaflag.png" alt="" width="130" height="65" /></p>
<p>New Caledonia is located in the southwest Pacific Ocean, part of the Melanesian sub-region. The island is a special collectivity of France. Its land mass is 18,576 square kilometers, with a population of 268,767. The Kanak people are the natives of New Caledonia make up 40.3% of the population. Noumea is the capital of the territory; it is also the largest city.  The latitude and longitude of New Caledonia is 21 degrees 30’S/ 165 degrees 30’E.</p>
<p>The official language of New Caledonia is French. There are about 40 regional languages such as: Drehu, Nengone, Paici, Ajie, and Xaracuu. New Caledonia experiences tropical climate, with humid seasons from November to March, and cooler seasons from June to August. The island is vulnerable to cyclones and tropical depressions from December to April.</p>
<p>New Caledonia has the richest diverse in birds and plants. These biodiversity is due to Grande Terre’s central mountain range, creating variety in niches, landforms, and micro-climates. Thus, New Caledonia is home to many endemic species.</p>
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<p><strong><em>HISTORY</em></strong></p>
<p>The first settlers of New Caledonia can be traced back to the Lapita period, which were skilled navigators and agriculturists.</p>
<p>Captain James Cook was the first explorer to sight the island, in the 18<sup>th</sup> century. The British explorer named it New Caledonia as it reminded him of Scotland. In the 1840’s there frequent voyages to New Caledonia, due to sandalwood in the island. Blackbirding was also a form trade in the island.</p>
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<p><strong><em>RELIGION</em></strong></p>
<p>Roman Catholic is the main denomination in New Caledonia, affiliating 50% of the population. Other Christian denominations include: the Free Evangelical Church, Evangelical Church in New Caledonia and the Loyalty Islands, etc. There are also Muslims, Baha’i Faith followers.</p>
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<p><strong><em>ECONOMY</em></strong></p>
<p>Financial aid from France contributes about 20% of GDP. Tourism in New Caledonia is underdeveloped, thus, has low significance as compared to other Pacific countries. Most of the land is unsuitable for agriculture, hence takes up 20% of imports. The manufacturing sector contributes to the economy in a low scale.</p>
<p>New Caledonia is rich in nickel resource, with its soil containing 25% of the world.</p>
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<p><strong><em>CULTURE</em></strong></p>
<p>Wood carving and basketry are crafts that are important to New Caledonian culture.</p>
<p>                                 <img src="images/bascketrynewcal.jpg" alt="" width="282" height="166" />                   <img src="images/woodcarvingnewcaledonia.jpg" alt="" width="175" height="254" /></p>
<p><strong><em>SPORTS</em></strong></p>
<p>Football, Horse racing, women’s cricket, Rugby league, synchronized swimming, cycling, and Handball are popular sports played in New Caledonia.</p>
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