NOUMA

also spelled Numea city, port, and capital of the Territory of New Caledonia, southwestern Pacific, in the southwestern corner of the island of New Caledonia. It was founded in 1854 under the name Port-deFrance. It is situated on an excellent deepwater harbour protected by Nou Island and a reef. The Grand Quai has a 1,450-foot- (442-metre-) long frontage. The city, backed by low hills, has modern buildings, a large public market, and St. Joseph's Cathedral, an old stone structure. Also located there are a campus of the French University of the Pacific, a coral aquarium, a hydroelectric plant at Yat Falls, and a nickel-refining plant at nearby Duiambo Point. The city is served by two international airports, Tontouta and Magenta. Pop. (1989 prelim.) 65,110.