New Caledonia is situated in the south western Pacific, just north of the tropic of Capricorn, and is the most southern of the Melanesian nations. Grand Terre is by far the largest island, being 400km long and just 50km wide, and unlike all other islands in the Pacific, it was once joined to Australia and broke away about 140 million years ago.

Highlights	Facts
sophisticated Noumea Town cove beaches and limestone cliffs of Mare and Lifou traditional kanak villages and culture isles des Pins tropical mountains of Amoa	land mass: 7,245 sq. miles population: 200,000 tourists: 100,000 total islands: 12 # of hotels (approx.): 35 language: French, Kanak temp 0C : Jan 28 ; Jun 22 currency: CFP100 = US$0.65

Tourism is centred around the charming port town of Noumea on the southern end of the island, with its french style boulevards and cafes, plush shopping and fine restaurants. The northern part of Grand Terre is mountainous with gorgeous tropical rain forest and a more traditional village system and culture.

For those looking for beaches, the Iles des Pins about 50km to the southeast of Noumea has sublime beaches whilst retaining its rich traditional village system. The Loyalty islands, notably Lifou and Mare, also have lovely beaches with limestone cliffs and good scuba diving.

New Caledonia Tour Companies

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Recommended Websites: Useful South Pacific Islands Websites South Pacific Resorts ; Cook Island Resorts ; Hawaii Resorts ; Samoa Resorts ; Fiji Resorts ; Tonga Resorts ; Tahiti Resorts