NEW CALEDONIA


Meaning of NEW CALEDONIA in English

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.

Britannica English dictionary.      Английский словарь Британика.