French Nouvelle Calédonie
French overseas territory (pop., 2001 est.: 216,000), South Pacific Ocean.
It consists of the islands of New Caledonia and Walpole, the Isle of Pines, and several other island groups; its capital is Nouméa . The main island, New Caledonia, has rich deposits of nickel that are among the largest in the world. Excavations indicate an Austronesian presence in the area с 2000–1000 BC. The islands were visited by Capt. Free French cause of Charles {{link=de Gaulle, Charles -Andr%C3%A9-Marie-Joseph">de Gaulle in 1940; the islands were the site of Allied bases (1942–44). They became part of the French overseas territory in 1946. In 1987 residents voted by referendum to remain part of France.