New caledonia has about 25% of the world's known nickel resources. only a small amount of the land is suitable for cultivation, and food accounts for about 20% of imports. in addition to nickel, substantial financial support from france - equal to more than 15% of gdp - and tourism are keys to the health of the economy. substantial new investment in the nickel industry, combined with the recovery of global nickel prices, brightens the economic outlook for the next several years.
Erosion caused by mining exploitation and forest fires
Na
224,824 (july 2008 est.)
Oceania, islands in the south pacific ocean, east of australia
Total: 19,060 sq km land: 18,575 sq km water: 485 sq km
Slightly smaller than new jersey
Conventional long form: territory of new caledonia and dependencies conventional short form: new caledonia local long form: territoire des nouvelle-caledonie et dependances local short form: nouvelle-caledonie
Name: noumea geographic coordinates: 22 16 s, 166 27 e time difference: utc+11 (16 hours ahead of washington, dc during standard time)
Matthew and hunter islands east of new caledonia claimed by france and vanuatu