New Caledonia

New Caledonia, officially called Nouvelle-Calédonie, is a French overseas territory located in the southern Pacific Ocean. It includes the main island of Grande Terre, the Loyalty Archipelago, and numerous other small islands. The capital is Nouméa, located on Grande Terre. New Caledonia is known for its extraordinary biodiversity and the surrounding coral reef, one of the largest in the world and a UNESCO World Heritage site. The population is a mix of Kanak communities, descendants of the original Melanesian inhabitants, along with descendants of European settlers, primarily French, and other Asian and Pacific communities. The local culture is a rich mosaic of indigenous Kanak traditions and French influences. The economy is primarily based on natural resources, particularly nickel, which is one of the main exports, as well as tourism, which attracts visitors for its beaches, coral reefs, and unique culture. Population of New Caledonia from 2018 to 2020: 2018: Approximately 282,000 inhabitants. 2019: Approximately 284,000 inhabitants. 2020: Approximately 287,000 inhabitants. Capital (Nouméa): Population in 2020: About 100,000 inhabitants. Top 10 cities by number of inhabitants in 2020: (Figures are approximate) Nouméa: ~100,000 Mont-Dore: ~27,000 Dumbéa: ~35,000 Païta: ~20,000 Koné: ~7,000 Bourail: ~5,500 Poindimié Koumac Lifou Maré New Caledonia is divided into 3 provinces. The provinces include: South Province, North Province, Loyalty Islands Province. GDP in millions of dollars from 2018 to 2020: Data not available.