New Caledonia
an island in the Pacific Ocean; about 800 miles E. of Australia. It is of volcanic origin and is surrounded by sand bars and coral reefs. It was discovered by Captain Cook in 1774, and appropriated by the French as a convict settlement in 1854.
The capital is Noumea, near the S. end of the island, with a fine harbor. The island is mountainous, well watered and wooded, and yields coffee, maize, tobacco, sugar-cane, grapes, manioc, and pineapples. Stock-raising is an important industry. The climate is hot but healthy. There are nickel mines, and also mines of copper and cobalt, considerable quantities of which are raised and exported, as also chrome, copra, coffee, etc. With the adjacent Loyalty Islands the area is estimated at 7,700 square miles. The native population, of Melanesian race, and cannibals, has diminished greatly since the French occupation. A considerable trade has been developed in recent years. There is a railroad from Noumea to Bourail (90 miles). There is steamship communication with Sydney. Pop. about 50,000.