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Information |
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An Interesting History |
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In 1774, James Cook, on the way to New Zealand on board
his ship “Resolution“, discovered a large island he named "New
Caledonia" as lt reminded him of
Scotland. |
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The ship‘s log describes the first encounter with Melanesian
inhabitants, whose ancestors migrated to the area two to three thousand
years ago. |
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In 1853, under the rule of Napoleon
III, the island was officially declared French by Admiral
Febvrier-Despointes. At the time, the population was
estimated at 50,000 Melanesians and a few hundred
Europeans. |
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In 1894, Governor Feillet's
decree on immigration to the then penal colony
triggered immigration from Indonesia and Java. Most
of these migrants worked on the newly opened mines,
and settled in the country,
hence the extraordinary multicultural diversity of New Caledonia. |
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The Second World War was a turning point
in the history of the nation From 1943, around one million Americans visited
New Caledonia. The Gl's brought both abundance and consumerism with them, as
the island entered the modern world. |
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Over the years, the dialogue between the
different communities evolved, and, after a difficult period, the "Matignon
Accords" were signed by Jacques Lafleur (Member of Parliament), Jean-Marie
Tjibaou and the then French Prime Minister. Since then, New Caledonia has
seen exceptional economic growth. |
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In 1998, the 'Nouméa Accords' were ratified
by a referendum which provided for a greater automony for New Caledonia
within the French Republic. This historic democratic decision has resulted
in New Caledonia becoming a model of secure political stability. |
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Geographic Diversity |
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New Caledonia is the third largest island in the Pacific
Region after Papua New Guinea and New Zealand. New
Caledonia is located about
20,000 km from Europe but only 1,500
km from Australia and 1,700
km from New Zealand. |
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The Territory of New Caledonia covers a total surface of
19,000 km (16,372 km² for the Mainland alone, which is
400 km long and 50 km wide). The Southern Province includes many wonderful
destinations on the mainland and also a selection of beautiful islands,
including the Isle of Pines, Amédee Island, Maitre Island, Duck Island, Laregnere Island, Signal Island, Casy Island and Ile Ouen. |
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Time Difference |
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Local Time (LT) in New Caledonia is 11 hours ahead of GMT. |
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The sun rises at about 4.30 am and sets at 7 pm in
December-January. lt rises at about 6.30 am and sets at 5.30 pm in
June-July. |
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Delightful Tropical CIimate |
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New Caledonia, the ‘Land of eternal spring‘, is blessed with
a pleasant semi-tropical climate all year round. The warm season, from
September to March, averages around 25°C, and the temperature is rarely too
hot. The cool season, from April to August, averages around 20°C. This means
that the water temperature stays warm enough for
swimming all year round. |
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Temperature in Degrees
Centigrade Rainfall in Millimetres |
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Multi-Cultural Society |
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The Melanesian population in New Caledonia has a long and
proud heritage and culture,
and throughout the land you will find a strong Melanesian
influence in architecture crafts and hospitality This is uniquely
combined with our French influence and
ambiance described as
'a taste of France in the South Pacific'. |
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In harmony with the Melanesian culture, the French have
brought European style and elegance to New Caledonia. |
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How to Get There |
Several international airlines fly to New Caledonia in
connection with Aircalin (SB)
From Paris
- 5 Air France flights via Tokyo
- 2 Air France flights via Osaka,
- 3 Qantas flights via Singapore and Sydney,
Map
- 2 Qantas flights via Brisbane,
- 2 KLM flights via Osaka
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From Europe
- 4 Air New Zealand flights from
London or Frankfort and Auckland.
- All flights via Sydney or Auckland
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Airports, Transfers and Transport |
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The international airport is Tontouta Airport, which is
around 45 minutes drive to Nouméa Shuttle buses,
mini-buses and taxis offer regular transfer services to Nouméa
(45 km). Car rental (with or without driver) is also
available. lt is recommended to book a car or bus transfer prior to arrival
in New Caledonia. |
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The domestic airport is Magenta Airport which is only ten
minutes drive from the centre of Nouméa. Air
Caledonie is the only domestic airline operating regular services throughout
the country, including the Isle of Pines. Several other companies operate
Iight aircraft, helicopter and hidromicrolite charter. Nouméa
and other built-up areas are weIl served with public bus transport. The
Nouméa city service is frequent, cheap and very easy to use. Taxis are also
readily available, as well as rental cars and tour operators. The famous ‘Le
Petit Train‘ is a fun and interesting way to tour the city of Nouméa |
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Betico is a high-speed catamaran which operates a regular
service to the Isle of Pines. |
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Customs, Immigration and Taxes |
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You need your passport to travel to New Caledonia by reason
of stop overs, lt travelling on a valid European Union passport, a visa is
not necessary for stay up to three months. All passports must be valid
for six months from the date of arrival. |
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Visitors may bring in 2 litres of alcohol and 200 cigarettes
duty free. The Solidarity Tax on Services (TSS 4%) applies to all services
in New Caledonia. A Tax per nights stay in hotel establishments applies to
all hotels of the Southern Province in effect as from 1 February 2002. Tax
amount per night and per accommodation unit depends on the hotel
classification. The two taxes cannot be added on top
of each other. |
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What to Wear |
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New Caledonia enjoys a wonderfully comfortable climate all
year round, making light summer clothing very appropriate. For the slightly
cooler nights (in the cool season), we recommend you bring a couple of
sweatshirts or similar. |
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If you are planning to go out to same of the wonderful
restaurants, night-spots or casinos in Nouméa we recommend you bring
something more elegant - but still casual. If you
plan a trip to the. islands, take a pair of
sport-shoes or rubber shoes to walk on tracks and reefs. |
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Language |
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There are about 30 different Melanesian dialects but the
official language is French, although English is widely spoken, particularly
by those involved in the tourist industry. |
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Whilst you will most likely not need to speak French, it is
courteous, and appreciated (and a lot of
fun), to at least make an effort. A few useful words
and phrases are ‘bonjour‘ (hallo), ‘au revoir‘ (goodbye), ‘merci beaucoup‘
(thank you very much) and ‘s‘il vous plait‘ (please). |
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Currency |
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New Caledonia uses the French Pacific Franc (F CFP or XPF). 1
Euro = 119,33 XPF. 1 000 XPF = 8,38 Euros. Travellers cheques in XPF do not
exist. Visitors to New Caledonia are advised to take some local currency,
NZ/Australian/US Dollar travellers cheques or international credit cards. If
this facility has been prearranged before departure, funds can also be
withdrawn by credit card at ATM machines located in and around Nouméa. The
Euro exchange in XPF is free of charge. |
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Welcome to the Gourmet Islands |
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Cuisine plays a vital part in the way of life in New
Caledonia. Where else in the South Pacific but Nouméa would you find over
130 restaurants, serving a variety of styles including French provincial and
traditional, Indonesian, Chinese, Italian, West Indian, Mexican and North
African, as weIl as a delicious selection of seafood. There is a wide choice
of French wines, which are reasonably priced, as is the local beer. |
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You should also try mouth-watering Melanesian food such as
‘Bougna‘ - a combination of chicken, lobster or fish, with yams, bananas,
sweet potatoes and coconut milk, wrapped in banana leaves and baked in the
ground in a kanak oven. Succumb to the timeless temptation of French-style
sidewalk cafes, or pack a picnic from the fresh array of foods available
from so many shops and stalls. Dining in New Caledonia will be a delicious
experience. |
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Water and Electricity |
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Tap water is excellent, but for those who prefer to drink
mineral water, bottles are available in all food stores, hotels and
restaurants (from local springs or imported from France). Electricity is 50
cycles-220 V, so that most appliances will work without any problem. However,
most sockets are different and an adaptor will be needed for non-French
appliances (these are readily available at departure airports). |
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Shopping |
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Among the wide choice of souvenirs you can bring back from
New Caledonia there are: local wood, stone and coral carvings, shells, hand
painted and colourful sarongs and light clothes, Leroy coffee, niaouli tree
liquor and honey, banana, pawpaw or guava fruit jellies. |
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How to use your Mobile Telephone in
New Caledonia |
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The roaming system provides the possibility of using your
mobile telephone on a network other than the one you
are subscribed to, without changing your telephone number. The Post Office
(OPT) has agreements with several telecommunications
companies. Subscribers to these networks can benefit from
the same advantages in New Caledonia and can also use their mobile telephone
on the Mobiles network. |
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Otherwise you will need to buy a ‘Liberte package from the
telecommunications division of the Post Office. This package consists of a
sim card + a quota of communication minutes and is valid for 90 days. The
Mobilis “Libert service is contract free and provides domestic and
international telecommunications. This service is based on the pre-pay
system by purchasing a quota of communication minutes. Rechargeable cards
are sold for XPF 3120 and XPF 5200 (tax included). |
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Business Hours |
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Business life has adapted to the climate, and consequently
most shops and offices are open between 7,3Oam and 6.00pm, closing for lunch
officially between 11 .3Oam and 1 .3Opm. However, you will find that banks
and post offices stay open throughout lunch, but at around 3.45pm. Same
shops are open on Saturday, and supermarkets are usually open an both
Saturday and Sunday morning. |
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