New Caledonia

New Caledonia (Nouvelle Caledonie), possession France in Melanesia, occupying bunch of islands in a southwest part of Pacific ocean. Possession consists of large island New Caledonia (16,7  thousand sq. km) and smaller islands a total area 19  thousand km. The population of islands compounds 183  thousand persons (1994), from them melanezijtsy-kanaki - 74 thousand, Frenchmen - 55 thousand persons. Besides, in New Caledonia there live natives of the countries of Asia and Ocenia. An official language - French, inhabitants-nefrantsuzy speak on the native languages and the tongue-hybrid which has developed as a result of mixture of English, French and tongues of the people of Ocenia. 60 % of the population - roman catholics, besides them in New Caledonia live protenstants-Calvinists. Possession administrative centre - a city of Noumea with the population of 65 thousand persons. In the administrative attitude New Caledonia is divided into Northern, Southern provinces and a province of islands Luajote.

The mountainous landform, its climate 1628  m has Island New Caledonia. the Flora is presented by a light forest and vysokotravem, there are coniferous forests. Monthly average temperatures fluctuate from 17  °C in the winter to 32  °C in the summer.

Since 1946 New Caledonia has the status of overseas terrain of France. After samplings of 1985 on islands the new legislature - the Congress of terrain selected for six years has been formed. The executive power in provinces is carried out by selected assemblies. In the French parliament New Caledonia is presented by two deputies of National meeting and one senator.

Occupied melanezijtsami the island has been open by James Cook in 1774 and the name has gained from the ancient Roman name of Scotland (Caledonia). In 1853 France has declared the claims for New Caledonia, and in 1860 the island became the French colony. In 1864-1896 New Caledonia was used as a penal servitude place. In total from France to New Caledonia has arrived 49 thousand katorzhan, from them 4 thousand participants of the Commune of Paris. In 1879 revolt of radical inhabitants-kanakov against the French colonizers has been depressed. In days of the Second World War New Caledonia was used by the American armed forces as baseline in operations against Japanese. Now the aboriginals of islands headed by National socialist front of clearing kanakov (NSFOK) combat for independence of New Caledonia. This struggle becomes complicated availability in New Caledonia significant number of Frenchmen. Since 1989 the post of the French sovereign commissioner which carried out a direct control of New Caledonia is excellent. In 1998 the referendum of terrain self-determination should take place.

The Basis of economy of New Caledonia - the mining industry. On island the richest deposits of nickel, cobalt, chromium, iron ore, manganese are detected. In New Caledonia are concentrated 20 % of world's reserves of nickel. Export of nickel and nickel ore supplies three quarters of currency receipts of New Caledonia. Key positions in working out of stores of nickel belong to French company Le nickel. On New Caledonia the iron and steel industry factories, the alimentary factories, sawmills, furniture plants, factories on effecting of building timbers act. Agriculture - sphere where the indigenous population is occupied in the core. In New Caledonia the coconut palm, corn, a yams, vegetables and fruit are cultivated, fishing is conducted. But requirements of inhabitants of New Caledonia for the food are fulfilled with intrinsic effecting only on third. The basic port and the international airport of New Caledonia are in Noumea. The basic foreign trade partner - France. From other foreign trade partners the USA deposit Australia, Japan. In the capacity of monetary unit in New Caledonia the franc of the French offices in Pacific ocean (franc KFP) is used.