none (overseas territory of France); there are no first-order administrative divisions as defined by the US Government, but there are 3 provinces named Iles Loyaute, Nord, and Sud.
Population:
204,863 (July 2001 est.)
Currency:
Comptoirs Francais du Pacifique franc (XPF)
Languages:
French (official), 33 Melanesian-Polynesian dialects
Elevation:
highest point: Mont Panie 1,628 m
lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m
Natural hazards:
cyclones, most frequent from November to March
Climate:
tropical; modified by southeast trade winds; hot, humid
Agricultural:
vegetables; beef, deer, other livestock products.
Economy:
New Caledonia has more than 20% of the world's known nickel resources. In recent years, the economy has suffered because of depressed international demand for nickel, the principal source of export earnings. Only a negligible amount of the land is suitable for cultivation, and food accounts for about 20% of imports. In addition to nickel, the substantial financial support from France and tourism are keys to the health of the economy. The situation in 1998 was clouded by the spillover of financial problems in East Asia and by lower prices for nickel. Nickel prices jumped in 1999-2000, and large additions were made to capacity. French Government interests in the New Caledonian nickel industry are being transferred to local ownership.
Industry:
nickel mining and smelting
Ethnicgroups:
Melanesian 42.5%, European 37.1%, Wallisian 8.4%, Polynesian 3.8%, Indonesian 3.6%, Vietnamese 1.6%, other 3%
