Interesting facts about New Caledonia Is a great opportunity to learn more about France. It is a large island in the Pacific Ocean, which also includes a group of relatively small islands. In 2018, a referendum was organized on the independence of New Caledonia from France, as a result of which the overwhelming majority of the voters opposed independence.
So, here are the most interesting facts about New Caledonia.
- New Caledonia is a special administrative-territorial entity of the French Republic.
- New Caledonia is home to approximately 275,000 people.
- Did you know that the famous traveler James Cook is considered the discoverer of these islands (see interesting facts about Cook)?
- The French Pacific franc is the currency of New Caledonia.
- Mount Panye is the highest point in New Caledonia at 1,628 m.
- Despite the modest size of the main island, about 3,000 plant species grow on its territory.
- The first settlements began to form here about 3.5 millennia ago.
- In the 19th century, the French government exiled various criminals to New Caledonia.
- An interesting fact is that a large number of geckos live on the local islands.
- The island owes its name to Caledonia, an area in Scotland, where James Cook was born.
- The official language of New Caledonia is French. At the same time, local residents speak more than 30 Melanesian and Polynesian languages.
- Most New Caledonian citizens consider themselves Catholics.
- New Caledonia is rich in nickel reserves. About 25% of the world's reserves of this ore are concentrated in the local subsoil.
- More than 40% of the islanders are under the age of 20.
- There are 22 bird species in New Caledonia (see interesting facts about birds), which are found only in this region.
- Education in New Caledonia is based on the French curriculum and is delivered by both French teachers and teachers trained in French.
- Horse racing is popular in New Caledonia, as well as women's cricket competition.
- The average age of the islanders is 77.7 years.
