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New Caledonia: Quick Facts

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New Caledonian politician calls on France to cut ties with Vanuatu • Nov. 10, 2026, 3:00 PM ET (ABC News (Australia))

Facts

Also Known As Nouvelle-Calédonie
Heads Of Government High Commissioner (for France): Jacques Billant; President of the Government (for New Caledonia): Milakulo Tukumuli
Capital Nouméa
Population (2026 est.) 263,200
Head Of State President of France: Emmanuel Macron
Official Language none4
Official Religion none
Official Name Territoire des Nouvelle-Calédonie et Dépendances (Territory of New Caledonia and Dependencies)1
Total Area (Sq Km) 18,567
Total Area (Sq Mi) 7,169
Monetary Unit CFP franc (CFPF)
Population Rank (2026) 187
Population Projection 2030 328,000
Density: Persons Per Sq Mi (2026) 36.7
Density: Persons Per Sq Km (2026) 14.2
Urban-Rural Population Urban: (2024) 73.1% • Rural: (2024) 26.9%
Life Expectancy At Birth Male: (2018–2022) 74.2 years • Female: (2018–2022) 80.3 years
Gni (U.S.$ ’000,000) (2024) 8,799
Gni Per Capita (U.S.$) (2024) 30,070
Political Status2 unique collectivity (France) with one legislative house (Congress3 [54])
1Locally known as Kanaky.2The Nouméa Accord, granting New Caledonia limited autonomy, was signed in May 1998. The accord provided for as many as three future referendums concerning possible independence. The first referendum was held on November 4, 2018. By a narrow margin, voters opted to remain a part of France. The second, held on October 4, 2020, saw voters again reject independence, but by an even narrower margin. The third, held on December 12, 2021, saw more than 95 percent of voters reject independence, but the poll had been boycotted by the pro-independence movement and turnout was greatly reduced to almost half of that of the previous two referendums.3Operates in association with three provincial assemblies.4Kanak languages and French have special recognition per the Nouméa Accord.

Photos

Flag of New Caledonia
Map of New Caledonia in the southwest Pacific Ocean, showing the main island, nearby islands such as the Loyalty Islands, and surrounding reefs. The map highlights major towns, physical features like Mount Panie and Mount Humboldt, and includes a small inset map for regional context near Australia. Neighboring Vanuatu is labeled to the northeast.
Île des Pins
Map showing the location of New Caledonia, a French territory in the southwestern Pacific Ocean, east of Australia and northwest of New Zealand, with nearby countries and islands such as Papua New Guinea, Fiji, Vanuatu, and the Solomon Islands labeled. The capital, Noumea, is marked within New Caledonia.
New Caledonia
Maré Island
Amborella trichopoda
A traditional round thatched hut stands among tall palm trees on Lifou Island, New Caledonia.
Population-density map of Pacific island countries and territories, with darker shading indicating more people per square kilometer. Naoero is the most densely populated, while many larger island groups, including Papua New Guinea, the Solomon Islands, Vanuatu, and French Polynesia, have lower densities.
New Caledonia: Nouméa
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New Caledonia: Nouméa
Nouméa
New Caledonia
New Caledonia
New Caledonia
island, New Caledonia
Ouvéa Island
Ouvéa Island
island, New Caledonia
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Hunter Island
island, New Caledonia
Lifou
Lifou Island
island, New Caledonia
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Loyalty Islands
islands, New Caledonia
Maré Island
Maré Island
island, New Caledonia
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Chesterfield Islands
islands, New Caledonia
Île des Pins
Île des Pins
island, New Caledonia
default image
Walpole Island
island, New Caledonia
default image
Bélep Islands
island group, New Caledonia
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Matthew Island
island, New Caledonia

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