New Caledonia

NEW CALEDONIA

An overseas territory of France, located in Oceania in the southwestern part of the Pacific Ocean (New Caledonia Island, Loyalty Islands, Pine Island, and others). Total area - 18,500 km². The administrative center is Nouméa (83,200). Administratively, it is divided into 3 provinces (Northern, Southern, and Loyalty Islands Province). Population - 197,000 (1997) (in subsequent years, there were significant demographic changes); Melanesians (Kanaks) - 42.5%, Europeans (mostly French) - 37.1%, Wallisians - 8.4%, Polynesians - 3.8%, Indonesians - 1.6%, Vietnamese - 1.6%.

The official language is French; Melanesians and others speak their native languages (28 languages) and a hybrid language formed from a mix of English, French, and Polynesian languages. Religion: about 60% of the population are Catholics, there are also Protestant Calvinists - 30%, and Muslims. The currency is the euro.

The status of an overseas territory was assigned to New Caledonia in 1946; in 1999, it was transformed into a territorial entity with special status (for 15-20 years). The High Commissioner of the French Republic is D. Konstantin (since 2002). The legislative body is the Territory Congress (54 members, elected for a term of 6 years proportionally from the assemblies of the 3 provinces, which exercise executive power and are elected for 6 years). The Chairman of the Territory Congress is S. Luecot. The Congress elects a collegial government consisting of 10 members based on proportional representation. The Prime Minister is D. Gorodey. The Senate has been officially established since 1999.

It consists of 16 members - 2 representatives from each of the 8 regions. It is headed by P. Zeula. In the French Parliament, New Caledonia is represented by 2 deputies and 1 senator.

The first European to see the islands was the English navigator J. Cook in 1774. They were named after the ancient name of Scotland (Caledonia). Since 1853, they have belonged to France, and since 1860, they have been its colony. For a long time, New Caledonia served as a place of exile. About 49,000 prisoners were sent there from France, including 4,000 Parisian Communards.

In 1879, colonizers brutally suppressed the uprising of the indigenous population - the Kanaks against French rule. However, the Kanaks' struggle for independence continued. It was led by the National Socialist Front for the Liberation of Kanaks (NSFOK), which united several political parties and trade unions. The Front called on its members to boycott the parliamentary elections held in November 1984, demanded the annulment of their results, declaring non-recognition of the existing French institutions in New Caledonia.

On September 13, 1987, a referendum was held in New Caledonia, during which the population was to express their opinion on maintaining the status of the territory or for its independence. NSFOK boycotted the referendum. More than 98% of those who voted expressed support for keeping New Caledonia as part of France.

On November 6, 1988, a nationwide referendum on New Caledonia was held in France. The overwhelming majority of the French voted for the law proposed by the government to grant this territory greater autonomy and to increase economic assistance to the residents of these islands. Since July 14, 1989, direct rule by France in New Caledonia has been abolished (before this time, executive power was held by the High Commissioner of France). In May 1998, a Treaty on New Caledonia (Nouméa Accord) was signed by Prime Minister L. Jospin and leaders of the main New Caledonian parties. It defined a 15-20 year transitional period, after which (no earlier than 2014) a referendum on full sovereignty will be held, in which Caledonians with at least 20 years of residence will participate. In 1999, France adopted two laws (including amendments to the constitution) drafted in the spirit of the Nouméa Accord, defining the institutional evolution of New Caledonia. The territory acquires a unique status - from January 1, 2000, a gradual transfer of powers from France to New Caledonia continues. Only issues of justice, defense, public order, and monetary circulation will remain under France's jurisdiction.

Main political parties: The Union for Caledonia in the Republic (UCR) - founded in 1978, the leading party of the local bourgeoisie. It advocates for maintaining existing ties with France and closely cooperates with the French party Union for a Popular Movement. The party leader, J. Lafleur, is the chairman of the Assembly of the Southern Province, the mayor of Nouméa, and has a majority in the congress. "Alliance" - a center-right party, "Joint Future" - a party formed in 2004 that united some former members of UCR and "Alliance", National Front. The National Socialist Front for the Liberation of Kanaks (NSFOK) - created in 1984, is the successor to the Front for the Independence of New Caledonia, formed in 1979. It advocates for granting independence to the territory. Other parties: Caledonian Union, New Caledonia for All.

The trade union association Confederation of Labor of New Caledonia was established in 1952.

GDP per capita (2002) - $14,750. Agriculture accounts for about 2% of GDP, industry - 22.5%, and the service sector - 72.6%. Unemployment - over 18%.

The basis of the economy is the mining industry. The island is home to one of the largest nickel deposits in the world (20-25% of global reserves, a total of 50 million tons). About 20 companies are engaged in nickel mining, the main one being the French company "Le Nickel". Other minerals include chromium, iron ore, cobalt,


manganese, zinc, and lead. There are metallurgical enterprises, agricultural product processing facilities, sawmills, furniture factories, and building materials production.

In agriculture, 20% of the economically active population is employed. Main agricultural crops: vegetables, fruits, grains, coconut palms, coffee, vanilla. Animal husbandry includes cattle, pigs, and sheep. A large portion of food is imported. The annual fish catch is about 3,000 tons.

The total length of roads is 5,432 km. There is an airport in Nouméa.

Every year, New Caledonia is visited by about 100,000 foreign tourists (French, Japanese, Australians, New Zealanders, and others).

Main export items: nickel, nickel ore; imports - machinery products, electrical engineering, food products. Main trade partners: the metropolis, EU countries, Japan, Australia, South Korea, New Zealand, Singapore.

There are 5 higher educational institutions.

There are several periodicals, including the daily newspaper "Nouvelles Calédoniennes" (21,000 copies). Radio and television broadcasts are conducted by the company "Réseau France Outre-Mer" and the channel "France 6".