New Caledonia General Information Area: 18,575 sq km (7172 sq miles). Population: 209,222 (official estimate 2000). Population Density: 11.3 per sq km. Capital: Nouméa. Population: 76,293 (1996). GEOGRAPHY: New Caledonia is an island group approximately 1500km (930 miles) off the northeast coast of Australia. Mountains run the entire length of the main island. On the western side, the land is relatively flat and forested by gum trees. The east coast is more mountainous with beautiful seashores fringed by tropical plants. Crystalline serpentine rock covers more than half the island. About 48km (30 miles) southeastwards lies Ile des Pins (Kunie), an island famed for its caves and grottoes containing stalactites and stalagmites. The Loyalty Group lies to the east of New Caledonia, the main islands being Ouvéa, Lifou and Maré. The remaining islands are the Chesterfield Group, Hinter, Huon Group, Matthew and Walpole. Government: French Overseas Territory since 1957. Head of State: President Jacques Chirac, represented locally by High Commissioner Tierry Lataste since 1999. Language: French is the official language, but Polynesian and Melanesian are also spoken. English is also widely spoken. Religion: Vast Christian majority, with 59 per cent Roman Catholic. Time: GMT + 11 (GMT + 10 in summer). Electricity: 220 volts AC, 50Hz. European-style, two-pin plugs are in use. Communications:   Telephone IDD is available. Country code: 687. Outgoing international code: 00. There is a 24-hour service for international calls. International calls are bookable at the Post Office (0745-1115 and 1215-1530) or through hotels. Most hotels have direct dial facilities, but it is cheaper to make international calls through the operator (tel: 19). Mobile telephone GSM 900 network, operated by Mobilis (website: www.opt.nc). Roaming agreements exist (with some countries). Fax Available at most hotels and post offices. Internet ISPs include Offratel (website: www.offratel.nc). Public access is available in several Internet cafes and at ‘cyber points’ (computers available for public use in local businesses/ISPs). Post Airmail to Western Europe takes up to a week. The Post Office, located on rue Eugène Porcheron, is open Mon-Fri 0745-1115 and 1215-1530. Press Newspapers are published in French and include Les Nouvelles Calédoniennes (daily) and Télé 7 Jours (weekly). BBC World Service and Voice of America frequencies: From time to time these change. BBC (website: www.bbc.co.uk/worldservice): MHz 15.36 9.740 6.195 3.915 Voice of America (website: www.voa.gov): MHz 17.74 11.71 9.645 6.110 Passport/Visa   Passport Required? Visa Required? Return Ticket Required? British Yes No No Australian Yes No No Canadian Yes No No USA Yes No No OtherEU Yes No No Japanese Yes No No PASSPORTS: Passport valid for at least three months beyond length of stay required by all. VISAS: Required by all except the following for a period of up to one month for non-EU nationals and up to three months for EU nationals: (a) nationals of countries referred to in the chart above; (b) nationals of Andorra, Argentina, Bermuda, Bolivia, Brunei, Chile, Costa Rica, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Ecuador, El Salvador, Estonia, Guatemala, Honduras, Hungary, Iceland, Israel, Korea (Rep), Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Malaysia, Malta, Mexico, New Zealand, Nicaragua, Norway, Panama, Paraguay, Poland, San Marino, Singapore, Slovak Republic, Slovenia, Switzerland, Uruguay, Vatican City and Venezuela; (c) nationals of the following, provided their passport states ‘holder has right of abode in the UK’: Cayman Islands, Montserrat, St Helena, British Virgin Islands, Turks and Caicos Islands. Types of visa and cost: Short-stay: (1-30 days) £15-20. Transit: £5-8. Note: Payment of the visa fee is non-refundable and must be given when lodging an application regardless of whether a visa is granted. Validity: Short-stay visas are valid for six months from date of issue. Transit visas are valid for single or multiple entries of maximum five days per entry, including the day of arrival. Application to: French Consulate General, or consular section at Embassy (see Contact Addresses section for France). All applications must be made in person. Application requirements: (a) Valid passport. (b) One completed application form. (c) One passport-sized photo. (d) Fee to be paid in cash only. (e) Evidence of sufficient funds for stay. (f) Letter from employer, or proof of stay in country of residence. (g) Proof of address. For all those nationals whose visa is issued on the same day: (a)-(g) and, (h) Medical insurance. (i) Return ticket. (j) Proof of accommodation during stay. Note: For spouses and children (under 21 years of age) of EU nationals: (a)-(g) and, (h) Original marriage certificate (spouse) and/or birth certificate (child) with a translation by a consular officer if not in English or French. Spouses and children of French nationals must also provide the Livret de Famille. Working days required: 24 hours for the following countries: Anguilla, Argentina, Benin, Brazil, British Virgin Islands, Burkina Faso, Cayman Islands, Central African Republic, Congo (Rep), Former Rep of Yugoslavia*, Israel, Mali, Mauritania, Montserrat, Morocco, Niger, South Africa*, St Helena, Turks and Caicos Islands, and Venezuela (these nationals should also note the additional requirements for obtaining a visa on the same day); two weeks for all other nationals. Note: * Visas will only be processed on the same day if the stay does not exceed one month. Temporary residence: If intending to work or stay for longer than three months, nationals should contact the long stay visa section of the Consulate General or Embassy (tel: (020) 7838 2048). Money Currency: French Pacific Franc (CFPFr). Notes are in denominations of CFPFr10,000, 5000, 1000 and 500. Coins are in denominations of CFPFr100, 50, 20, 10, 5, 2 and 1. New Caledonia is part of the French Monetary Area. Australian and New Zealand dollars are widely accepted in shops, hotels and restaurants. The French Pacific Franc is tied to the Euro. For further details on the Euro, see France section. Currency exchange: Exchange facilities are available at the airport and at main branches of banks, but may charge a steep commission. ATMs are available in Nouméa, but sometimes have a maximum weekly withdrawal limit. Credit & debit cards: American Express and Visa are widely accepted; MasterCard and Diners Club have more limited use. Check with your credit or debit card company for details of merchant acceptability and other services which may be available. Travellers cheques: To avoid additional exchange rate charges, travellers are advised to take travellers cheques in Euros. There is however a charge of CFPFr515 including tax for each transaction. Currency restrictions: Import and export restrictions for currency are the same as those for France. Exchange rate indicators The following figures are included as a guide to the movement of the French Pacific Franc against Sterling and the US Dollar: Date May ’02 Aug '02 Nov ’02 Feb ’03 £1.00= 189.64 183.45 188.09 175.37 $1.00= 130.13 120.62 118.94 110.14 Banking hours: Mon-Fri 0730-1545. Duty Free The following goods may be imported into New Caledonia without incurring customs duty: *1000 cigarettes or 250 cigars or 2kg of tobacco; 1 bottle of alcoholic beverage and 2 bottles of wine or champagne; a reasonable quantity of perfume for personal use. Note: *Travellers arriving from Australasia or Indonesia may import 200 cigarettes or 50 cigars or 400g of tobacco. Alcohol and perfume allowances are as above. Prohibited items: Plants, flowers, seeds and earth (except on import permit); meat and other animal products (except with prescribed sanitary certificate). Public Holidays Jan 1 2003 New Year’s Day. Apr 21 Easter Monday. May 1 Labour Day. May 8 1945 Victory Day. May 29 Ascension. Jun 9 Whit Monday. Jul 14 Bastille Day. Aug 15 Assumption. Sep 24 New Caledonia Day. Nov 1 All Saints’ Day. Nov 11 Armistice Day. Dec 25 Christmas Day. Jan 1 2004 New Year’s Day. Apr 12 Easter Monday. May 1 Labour Day. May 8 1945 Victory Day. May 20 Ascension. May 31 Whit Monday. Jul 14 Bastille Day. Aug 15 Assumption. Sep 24 New Caledonia Day. Nov 1 All Saints’ Day. Nov 11 Armistice Day. Dec 25 Christmas Day. Health   Special Precautions Certificate Required Yellow Fever No 1 Cholera No 2 Typhoid and Polio 3 N/A Malaria No N/A 1: A yellow fever vaccination certificate is required from travellers over one year of age arriving from infected areas. 2: Travellers arriving from infected areas do not require cholera vaccination and will not be given chemoprophylaxis. They are required, however, to fill out a form for use by the Health Service. 3: Typhoid is reported. Food & drink: Mains water is normally chlorinated and generally regarded as safe to drink. Bottled water is available and is advised for the first few weeks of the stay. Milk is pasteurised and dairy products are safe for consumption. Local meat, poultry, seafood, fruit and vegetables are considered safe to eat. Other risks: Hepatitis A and C occur and hepatitis B is endemic. Dengue fever occurs. Immunisations against diphtheria and tuberculosis are sometimes advised. Health care: Nouméa has one public hospital, three private clinics and an adequate selection of chemists. Hotels can generally recommend an English-speaking doctor or dentist. Health insurance is advised. Travel - International AIR: New Caledonia’s national airline is Aircalin (Air Calédonie International) (SB). Other airlines serving New Caledonia include Air France, Air New Zealand, Air Vanuatu and Qantas. The Visit the South Pacific Pass is valid for many airlines operating in the South Pacific, including most of the larger ones, such as Air Caledonie, Air Marshall Islands, Air Nauru, Air Niugingi, Air Pacific, Air Vanuatu, Polynesian Airlines, Qantas, Royal Tongan Airlines and Solomon Airlines. Offering reductions of up to 40 per cent on normal airfares, this sector-based pass allows for flexible island-hopping between the destinations of the Cook Islands, Fiji, Nauru, New Caledonia, Samoa, Tahiti, Tonga, Vanuatu and the more remote Melanesian and Micronesian islands, together with major cities in Australia (Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane) and New Zealand (Chirstchurch, Wellington, Auckland). It is only available for people resident outside of the South Pacific. The journey must be started outside the South Pacific and only one stopover in Australia is allowed. A minimum of two sectors must be bought before departure (extra sectors can be purchased en route). There is a maximum of one pass per person, and passes must be used within six months of the first day of travel. Children under 12 years of age pay 75 per cent of the adult fare. For details and conditions, contact the South Pacific Tourist Organisation (see Contact Addresses section). Approximate flight times: From Nouméa to London is 26 hours, including stopovers, but this may increase to 30 hours, depending on the day of travel; to Los Angeles is 18 hours (via Tahiti); to Sydney is 2 hours 30 minutes. The Visit the South Pacific Pass is valid for a number of airlines operating in the South Pacific, including Air Caledonie, Air Marshall Islands, Air Nauru, Air Niugingi, Air Pacific, Air Vanuatu, Polynesian Airlines, Qantas, Royal Tongan Airlines and Solomon Airlines. Offering reductions of up to 50 per cent on normal airfares, this sector-based pass allows for flexible island-hopping between the destinations of the Cook Islands, Fiji, Nauru, New Caledonia, Samoa, Tahiti, Tonga, Vanuatu and the more remote Melanesian and Micronesian islands, together with major cities in Australia (Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane) and New Zealand (Wellington). The journey must be started outside the South Pacific and only one stopover in Australia is allowed. A minimum of two coupons must be bought before departure (a maximum of eight coupons can be purchased en route). For details and conditions, contact the South Pacific Tourism Organisation (see Contact Addresses section). International airports: Nouméa (NOU) (La Tontouta), 50km (31 miles) from the city (travel time – 45 minutes). Airport facilities include post office (0700-1100 and 1200-1600), bureau de change, duty-free shops (available for scheduled flights), bar, restaurant and car hire (Avis, Budget and Hertz). Taxi and coach services are available to the city. It is advisable to book transfers before arrival in New Caledonia. Departure tax: None. SEA: International port is Nouméa, served by shipping lines including CTC, P&O and Princess Cruises. Travel - Internal AIR: Domestic flights are run by Air Calédonie (TY), maintaining regular services from Nouméa to airfields on the island, and the other smaller islands. The principal local airport is Magenta Airport, 6km (4 miles) from Nouméa city centre. From here, Air Calédonie operates regular flights to Touho (east coast), Koné, Koumac, Belep (west coast), and to the neighbouring Ile des Pins and the Loyalty Islands: Maré, Ouvéa, Lifou and Tiga. The airport has been extended in order to increase capacity. Light aircraft and helicopters are available from Air Calédonie and other companies for charter; Aviazur operates air taxis. Approximate flight times: From Nouméa to Ile des Pins is 25 minutes; to Lifou is 50 minutes; to Maré is 50 minutes; to Ouvéa is 45 minutes; to Tiga is 45 minutes; to Koné is 35 minutes; to Touho is 1 hour 5 minutes; to Koumac is 1 hour 40 minutes and to Belep is 2 hours 35 minutes. SEA: An inter-island, high-speed catamaran ‘Betico’ runs regularly to Ile des Pins and Loyalty Islands from Grande Terre; for further details, contact Armement Loyaltien, Quai des Caboteurs, Centre ville, BP 2217-98845, Nouméa Cedex (tel: 260 100; fax: 289 897). Boats can be hired or chartered to visit smaller islands. ROAD: The road network consists of 5000km (3125 miles) of paved and unpaved roads. Traffic drives on the right. Petrol costs the same at all petrol stations. Bus: Buses are available throughout the island. There are regular services in Nouméa which run every 15-30 minutes from 0500-1900. Two new tourist services were introduced in March 2001. The Green Line travels between Kuendu Beach, the city centre and other beach resorts. The Blue Line travels to Tjibaou Cultural Centre. A tourist day pass can be bought for CFPfr600 which allows the visitor unlimited travel on the buses for one day. Taxi: Charges are for time and distance. There is a surcharge after 1900 and on Sundays. Car hire: Avis, Budget, Hertz, Europcar, Rentacar, AB Location and local companies all have representatives in the capital. Bicycle hire: Bicycles, motorcycles and motorscooters may also be hired. Documentation: International Driving Permit is required. Drivers must be aged 21 or over (in some cases, 25 or over). TRAVEL TIMES: The following chart gives approximate travel times (in hours and minutes) from Nouméa to other major localities/villages in New Caledonia. Air Road Bourail - 2.10 Hienghene - 5.10 Koné 0.35 3.30 Poindimie - 4.10 Thio - 2.00 Tontouta - 0.45 Touhó 1.05 4.40 Accommodation There is a very good selection of accommodation available with hotels, country inns and rural lodgings. HOTELS: Hotels are mostly small and intimate. Prices range from moderate to expensive. Modern 3- and 5-star hotels have been built or fully renovated at Anse Vata and there is also new bungalow-style accommodation in remoter parts of the main island and in the outer islands. For further information, contact Association des Hôtels de Nouvelle Calédonie, c/o Kuendu Beach Hotel, BP 404, Nouméa (tel: 243 000; fax: 276 033; e-mail: kuendubeach@lagoon.nc); or Association of International Hotel Chains (ACHI), c/o Le Meridien Hotel, PO Box 1915, Nouméa (tel: 265 000; fax: 265 100; e-mail: gm.noumea@meridien.nc). TRADITIONAL HOMESTAYS: Visitors interested in experiencing the traditional way of life can arrange to stay in Melanesian-style bungalows or huts. Home-cooked meals may be booked in advance. Payment is usually made in cash as credit cards are not accepted. For further information, contact the tourist board (see Contact Addresses section). FARM HOLIDAYS: These are regulated by the Chamber of Agriculture. For further information, contact Chambre d’Agriculture de Nouvelle Calédonie, Antenne de Bourail, BP 847-98870 Bourail (tel: 442 358; e-mail: canc-cd@canl.nc; website: www.bienvenue-a-la-ferme.com). CAMPING: Major camping sites are in the rural lodging area. Most sites include washrooms, toilets, barbecue facilities and mini-supermarkets. Permission should be sought from landowners before setting up camp. YOUTH HOSTELS: Situated in Nouméa is a hostel with dormitories and communal facilities at reasonable rates. Non-YHA members are also accommodated. For more information, contact the Association des Auberges de Jeunesse de Nouvelle Calédonie, 51 bis rue Pasteur Marcel Ariege, BP 767, 98845 Nouméa (tel: 275 879; fax: 254 817). Grande Terre NOUMÉA: The capital, near the southeastern tip of Grande Terre, overlooks one of the world’s largest sheltered natural harbours. Nouméa is a busy little city with a population composed of many racial groups: French, Melanesian and Polynesian amongst others. The main square, the Place des Cocotiers, has recently undergone extensive restoration. Minibuses and Le Petit Train are probably the best ways of seeing the city and its suburbs. The centre of the network is the bus depot on the Baie de la Moselle. Attractions in the city include St Joseph’s Cathedral, museums, the market, many old colonial houses and the Aquarium, one of the world’s leading centres of marine scientific research. Nearby, the South Pacific Commission Building houses a collection of native handicrafts from all over the South Seas. The New Caledonia Museum is open Tuesday to Saturday, and also contains many local handicrafts and ornaments. The new Museum of Maritime History (whose exhibits include artefacts from numerous local wrecks) is situated by the port in Nouméa. The Tjibaou Cultural Centre in Nouméa is a new venue for concerts, plays and exhibitions celebrating indigenous cultural traditions. Excursions: Approximately 4km (2.5 miles) from the city centre is the Botanical Park, home to over 700 species of animals. Also near Nouméa is the Amedée Lighthouse, constructed in Paris during the reign of Napoleon III and shipped to New Caledonia in pieces. It is located in a coral reef 18km (11 miles) from the capital. The lagoon, which is the biggest in the world, offers good opportunities for swimming and scuba diving. East of the capital is Mont-Dore, a mountain surrounded by magnificent coastal scenery. On the way, stops can be made at the Melanesian village of St Louis, and the Plum Lookout for a spectacular view across the surrounding reef. THE WEST COAST: Some 170km (105 miles) from Nouméa is Bourail, where there are many elaborate and beautiful caves and rock formations shaped by the Pacific breakers. Further north is the ancient site of Koné, where decorated pottery dating back to the tenth century BC has been discovered. From the town of Koumac, a new road has been constructed which loops round the top of the island. The scenery consists of pure white sand beaches and offshore atolls, backed by dense rainforest. THE EAST COAST: The new road takes one to Hienghéne, which has a lagoon surrounded by 120m-high (400ft) black cliffs. Poindimié, the main town of the east coast, is further south. Nearby is Touho, overlooked by a 500m (1640ft) peak. The region is dotted with churches and Melanesian villages, forests, coconut palms and beautiful beaches. At the southern point of this coast is Yaté, a village surrounded by lakes, waterfalls and rich wooded countryside. The Blue River Provincial Park is well worth a visit. Day trips are available from the capital. Outlying Islands ILE DES PINS: Discovered and named the Isle of Pines by Captain Cook in 1774, Ile des Pins lies some 70km (45 miles) off the southeast coast of Grande Terre. This exceedingly beautiful island has many white sand beaches and turquoise lagoons and is lush with rainforests, pines, orchids and ferns. Archaeological excavations have revealed settlements 4000 years old. The island was also briefly used as a convict settlement during the 19th century following the Paris Commune. The ruins of the jail can still be seen amongst the dense vegetation. There are many rural lodges, a luxury hotel and a more modest hotel. Both hotels are situated on or near beaches. Day trips are available from Nouméa to the Ile des Pins. THE LOYALTY ISLANDS: This archipelago lies 100km (60 miles) off the east coast of New Caledonia, and is widely regarded as being superb for scuba diving and spear-fishing. Maré Island, the furthest south, has an area of 650 sq km (250 sq miles). Most of the population lives in the village of Tadine. Lifou Island, the largest of the three with an area of 1150 sq km (445 sq miles), has over 7000 inhabitants. The main village is Chépénétié. Ouvéa Island is 130 sq km (50 sq miles), but is rarely more than 3 or 4km (2 or 2.5 miles) wide. The lagoon is rich in fish. Almost all of the population lives in Fayaoué. There is accommodation on all these islands in the form of either hotels, motels or family lodgings. Sport & Activities Watersports: Snorkelling and diving are very popular. The New Caledonian authorities have created marine reserves on several islets to protect marine fauna and flora. There are also sunken shipwrecks, which act as artificial reefs. Some of the best dive sites include the Amédée Lighthouse Reserve (including shark feeding), Escapade Island (around Ilôt Maître), La Dieppoise (shipwreck of a Royal Navy patrol ship sunk in 1988), the Prony Needle, the Ténia Horn (near Boulouparis), the Fault (near Poé), the Hienghene Reef and Lifou Island. There are many PADI-approved diving centres on the mainland and the outlying islands, all offering beginners’ courses, training and certification. Night dives and photo dives are also available. For a list of diving centres, contact New Caledonia Tourism (see Contact Addresses section). The Bay of Anse Vata and Côte Blanche, both in Nouméa, are the favourite locations for windsurfing. International competitions such as the Trophée des Alizés attract some of the world’s top competitors. Fishing is one of the locals’ favourite pastimes, which visitors can participate in by accompanying them on fishing expeditions to catch tuna, marlin or snapper. Chartered fishing boats can also be hired, particularly on Turtle Island, where special facilities are available. The coral barrier reef off the shore of Nouméa is excellent for underwater spearfishing. The main location for freshwater fishing is Yaté Lake, which is open from January to October. Whale watching: From July to September, humpback whales can be spotted during the mating season in the bays of the southern lagoon and Lifou. Excursions are organised from Nouméa and from the south of the mainland to spot them. The whales may also be seen during scuba diving trips. Boat trips: Excursions in Melanesian outrigger canoes are organised at the Isle of Pines. Several operators offer trips to the coral reefs in glass-bottomed boats from which visitors can observe the marine life. Reservations can be made from gîtes or hotels on the islands. Sailing boats can be chartered with or without a skipper. Kayaks or canoes can be rented to explore New Caledonia’s network of rivers, streams and lakes. Hiking: Arrangements can be made in the capital for trips into the interior. Botanical excursions through the forest of Mount Koghi (with French- or English-speaking guides) are also available. Horseriding: Excursions are organised from Nouméa, La Foa, Bourail, Dumbea and Koné villages. These vary from simple rides to major expeditions to the local bush (which involve crossing the mountain range, mustering cattle and camping in the mountains). Advance booking is essential. Golf: New Caledonia has three 18-hole golf courses plus driving ranges and putting greens. Private lessons, hire of equipment and restaurants are available at the Tina Golf Club, Dumbéa Golf Club and Ouenghi Golf Club. Social Profile Food & Drink: The choice of eating places and food on New Caledonia is excellent; costs vary from moderate to expensive. Gourmet restaurants and bistros serve French, Italian, Spanish, Indonesian, African and Chinese cooking. Dishes include Pacific spiny lobsters, prawns, crabs or mangrove oysters and salads of raw fish (marinated in lime juice). An island speciality is bougna: roast pig, fish or chicken wrapped in banana leaves and cooked on hot stones covered with sand. First-class delicatessens and grocers in Nouméa and at Anse Vata Beach provide a wide choice of picnic fare. There is a good selection of French wine available. Nightlife: There are plenty of discos and also two casinos, situated in the Anse Vata area. Nightclubs in Nouméa are lively with both European and local floorshows. There are also several cinemas, which show French films. Shopping: In Nouméa, boutiques sell fashionable French clothes, mainly casual but sometimes haute couture. Other purchases include luxury French goods such as perfume, jewellery and footwear, and silk scarves, sandals and handbags from Italy can also be found. Duty-free items are also sold. Local items include curios made of shells, coral, woodcarving, ceramics, hand-painted materials and aloha shirts. Discounts may be obtained in duty-free shops. Shopping hours: Mon-Fri 0730-1100 and 1400-1800, Sat 0730-1100. Special Events: For a full list of events, contact New Caledonia Tourism (see Contact Addresses section). The following is a selection of events occurring annually: Mar The Festival of the Yam. Apr Nouméa International Fair; Nouméa Carnival. May Avocado Fair, Nece; La Regate des Touques, Noumea; Pacific Tempo, Noumea (music festival). Jun Music Festival. Jul 14 Bastille Day Festivities and Fireworks. Aug/Sep Bourail Fair (country fair with rodeo, cattle, horses etc). Oct/Nov Sound and Light Show, Fort Tremba, La Foa. Dec Christmas Celebrations. Dec 31 Fireworks. Social Conventions: There is a casual atmosphere, and local traditions still prevail alongside European customs. Casual wear is the norm, but smart restaurants require a more formal style of dress. Long trousers are required for men at night in restaurants and casinos. Tipping: There is absolutely no tipping. Business Profile Economy: The mainstays of the country’s economy are mining, tourism and, to a lesser degree, agriculture and fishing. The agricultural sector produces cereals, fruit and vegetables, as well as copra and coffee for export. The fishing industry trawls primarily for shrimp and tuna, the bulk of which is sold to Japan. A small light-industrial sector has grown up in the last two decades, producing building materials, furniture and processed foods, largely for domestic consumption. In the mining sector, New Caledonia is the world’s largest producer of nickel after Canada and the USA, and has about one fifth of the world’s known deposits; this generates 90 per cent of the country’s export revenue. There are also deposits of cobalt, iron, manganese, lead and zinc. Tourism is the major service industry and remains the most dynamic sector in terms of economic development. Subventions from France are essential to the territory’s economic well-being. New Caledonia is an Associate Member of the EU. France is the largest trading partner, accounting for approximately half of all imports and exports, followed by Australia, Germany, Japan and the USA. Business: Appointments should be made. Businesspeople generally work long hours and take long lunch breaks, but business lunches are rare as most businessmen go home at lunchtime. Prices should be quoted in Euros or French Pacific Francs. The best time to visit is May to October. Office hours: Mon-Fri 0730-1130 and 1330-1730, Sat 0730-1130. Commercial Information: The following organisation can offer advice: Chambre de Commerce et d’Industrie, BP M3, 15 rue de Verdun, 98849 Nouméa Cédex (tel: 243 100; fax: 243 131; e-mail: cci@cci.nc; website: www.cci.nc). Conferences/Conventions: Conferences and conventions take place at major hotels such as Le Meridien, the Nouvata Parkroyal Hotel and the Surf Novotel Hotel as well as at the Chamber of Commerce (for address, see above), all situated in Nouméa. Climate Warm, subtropical climate. The cool season is from June to September and the hottest period from October to May. The main rains are between January and March. The seasons are less defined on the east coast than the west. Climate is tempered by trade winds. Required clothing: Tropical lightweights, with jackets and sweatshirts for evenings. History and Government History: Discovered by Europeans in 1766, New Caledonia has been a French colony since 1853. It became a French Overseas Territory in 1946. From time to time, attempts have been made by the indigenous population to free themselves from French rule. The most serious of these was the Kanak Revolt of 1878, which was only subdued after a guerrilla campaign lasting for more than a year. In recent years, intermittent conflicts have flared up between the Melanesians and the French, reflecting the widely differing attitudes that exist towards the various plans for self-government. The majority of Kanaks (Melanesians) now support the Front de Liberation Nationale Kanak et Socialiste (National Kanak Socialist Liberation Front, FLNKS) created in 1984 and led, until his assassination in 1989, by the charismatic Jean-Marie Tjibaou. The Front is the largest party backing independence, which remains the overriding political issue in the territory. The French-descended settlers (caldoches) mostly back the Gaullist centre-right party, Rassemblement pour une Caledonie dans la France (Rally for Caledonia in France, RPCR), which is strongly anti-separatist. Both sides have adopted an uncompromising position on independence. In France itself, the traditional consensus between Gaullists and Socialists on colonial matters has broken down as regards New Caledonia, although both parties recognise the strategic importance of the island for nuclear testing. Tjibaou is thought to have been killed along with his deputy by former FLNKS militants, because of his acceptance of the Matignon Accord. This agreement – strongly opposed by hard-liners in both camps – had been negotiated by Tjibaou, RCPR leader Jacques Lafleur and then French Prime Minister Michel Rocard, in 1988. It allowed for the division of New Caledonia into three distinct regions, each of which would elect a Provincial Assembly to handle internal administration, until the holding of a national referendum, not later than the end of 1998, to decide the issue of independence once and for all. If a vote in favour was returned, New Caledonia might expect to become independent around 2015/2020. The Accord also allowed for the training of Kanaks (largely excluded from official posts) in public administration, a programme of economic development and various institutional reforms. The referendum was held in November 1998 and produced a vote of 70 per cent in favour of independence. However, since then, the two main parties and the French government have been engaged in a complex and often devious political struggle, which has persuaded many Kanaks that Paris had no intention of allowing the colony to become independent. Moreover, during the 1990s, New Caledonia’s economic difficulties led to a growth of labour unrest and the assumption by local trade unions of the major role in the campaign to reform New Caledonia’s social and economic system and achieve independence. The present government, elected in May 1999, is an uneasy alliance of the RCPR (the largest party), FLNKS representatives and a handful of others. Government: Following administrative reforms introduced after the Matignon Accord, New Caledonia is governed by three Regional Assemblies: Southern Region (32 members), Northern Region (15 members), and Loyalty Islands (seven members). Together these form a Territorial Congress, headed by the High Commissioner. The High Commissioner is advised by an eight-member ‘Consultative Committee’ selected from leading figures on the island. Copyright © 2003 Columbus Publishing Ltd.