New Caledonia. New Caledonia: general information New Caledonia on the world map tours

There is a group of islands called New Caledonia. It has a tropical climate, magnificent beaches and truly unique nature. The well-established infrastructure is ready to receive tourists from all over the world throughout the year. Going here on vacation, you can forget about the bustle of a noisy metropolis, everyday work and fatigue. Holidays in New Caledonia are an exotic island with European service, entertainment and attractions; it will allow you to enjoy the environment without compromising your comfort.

New Caledonia is a French possession. In order for tourists from the Russian Federation to get to the islands, they must first obtain a visa. To do this, you should contact the French Embassy. A special visa is not needed only in certain cases.

There is a residence permit or long-term visa issued by any of the Schengen countries;
If you have a French Schengen visa, the main thing is that it is valid for one year or more.

In order to obtain a tourist visa, you need to prepare a package of documents. Full list You should find out directly from the country's embassy.

Historical and geographical information

New Caledonia is a group of islands located in the southwestern part Pacific Ocean in the Coral Sea. The area of the archipelago is only 18.6 square kilometers. The capital, Nouméa, is located in the southern part of the big island. As for the relief, almost the entire island is mountainous. The entire coastline is divided into small bays. Getting to the coast is quite difficult because the reefs get in the way. Therefore, you should abandon independent attempts to cross and use the services of experienced cab drivers who know the area well.

Tourists are attracted here by the very clean air, beautiful beaches and great diving emotions. Also, not so long ago, a version was put forward that these islands are the terrestrial part of the continent of Zealand that was flooded many millions of years ago. More detailed information can be heard from tour guides.

New Caledonia on the map:

Climate on the island

The island's climate is tropical trade wind. Throughout the year the weather is hot and quite humid. Throughout the year, the air temperature remains practically at the same level and no significant changes are observed. Winter lasts from April to August, during which time the thermometer drops slightly and stays at +19-24 degrees Celsius. In summer from November to March the temperature is slightly higher from +24 to +26 degrees. Rainfall levels on the island vary depending on the area. In the east, the annual average is 3000 mm, while in the west it is only 700 mm.

How to get there

It is immediately worth noting that from Russia direct flight there is no distance to the capital of New Caledonia. If you plan your vacation here, you will have to prepare for a flight with several transfers. The first and very popular option for getting there is to buy an air ticket with a transfer to. There are even tours that include visiting attractions in and then flying to the islands. The next option that tourists can use is a flight with a transfer to. It is worth noting that the cost of a ticket of this type will be quite high. A more economical option is to buy an air ticket with two transfers. The first will be carried out in Seoul, and the second in Sydney.

Transport on the island

Note to tourists: traffic on the island is on the right. You can get around the island by public transport, which is represented by buses. It’s worth noting right away that they go quite rarely. Most often, tourists use the services of taxi drivers. Another excellent alternative is car rental.

Car rental

Surprises new tourists and seasoned guests beautiful view islands and landscapes that open around. Planning a cultural program for your vacation is not difficult. Lack of time may be a problem. In order not to waste time traveling on public transport, it is worth renting a car. This service is available to almost everyone. Some travel programs already include a rental car. Those who do not know how to drive or simply do not want to sit behind the wheel can additionally order the services of a professional driver. The cost of renting a car should be checked on site. The price will depend on the company offering the service, rental period and car brand.

Required documents: international driving license, credit card.

Where to stay

It’s worth noting right away that New Caledonia is a fairly small island, and you can see all the sights in one trip. For active rest You need to ensure yourself a comfortable rest. On the islands, tourists are offered a choice of about 70 hotels of different levels. The price range is very wide. Everyone will be able to choose the most suitable option for themselves. The largest number of places where you can stay are located in Kona and Noumea.

For budget holiday there is a more limited selection available. In large cities, the average cost of booking the most affordable option will be 1,500 rubles. In smaller towns you can find hotels where the cost per room will be about 900-1000 rubles.

For tourists who have an unlimited budget, the choice of hotels is much larger. A luxury room in a five-star hotel can cost up to 50,000 rubles. There are options with sea views, a private pool and the maximum set for royal comfort. The average cost of this category of rooms varies between 10,000 rubles.

Kitchen

The cuisine in New Caledonia is quite diverse. Here, everyone can choose dishes to suit their taste. Cuisines presented here are European, Chinese, Japanese and, of course, national. As such national cuisine not on the islands, but each dish is prepared using some secrets. Only high-quality products are used to prepare dishes. Vegetables and fruits are grown all year round.

TO national dishes This includes all delicacies made from freshly caught Pacific fish. Among the most popular dishes that you should definitely try:

Squid, shrimp, lobsters and other representatives of the sea;
Seaweed that is marinated in a specially prepared sauce of nuts and lemon;
Salads made from raw fish and cheese.

The menu may also include various locally grown root vegetables.

The Bougna dish is extremely popular among arriving guests; it is prepared using chicken or fish fillet. After treating the ingredient with spices, it is wrapped in banana leaves. It is prepared on hot stones, which are preheated over a fire. After 20 minutes of cooking like this local dish served to the table.

As for drinking, there is no alcohol production on the island. Everything is imported from other countries. But this does not limit tourists’ choice. Any cafe or restaurant offers a huge range of products of the highest quality.

Island attractions

Not only beach holiday Guests of New Caledonia will love it. There are several places in the capital that are definitely worth visiting, among them are:

Bernheim Library - named after the world famous French doctor. The library is famous for its unique architecture with many columns. Among the literature you can find fiction books and popular science books.
The capital has many museums of different directions - Territorial, Maritime, Historical. In each you can get a closer look at the city and the island as a whole.
The city aquarium presents its viewers with almost 300 species of ocean inhabitants. Huge panoramic windows make it possible to plunge into sea world and look at the life of its inhabitants.
St. Joseph's Cathedral is an ideal place for tourists as St. Joseph is the patron saint of travelers. The Catholic Cathedral was built by the first settlers. Today it is a decoration of the city center.

In addition to the capital itself, attractions are located in other parts of the island. Tourists should also visit the following places:

The city of La Foa - this settlement was built by the students of Eiffel himself.
Burai is a settlement located in the northern part of the island. The beauty of this place is revealed against the backdrop of the La Roche rock. You can also sometimes see on the beach sea turtles that crawl onto land.

Beach holiday

In New Caledonia you can relax throughout the year. The average annual temperature is at 24 degrees Celsius. Precipitation falls evenly throughout the year, with the rainiest month being January. The most popular beach among tourists is Ens Vata. Its length is two kilometers, clean white sand attracts everyone.

What else is worth knowing about holidays in New Caledonia

Network and Communication

Access to wireless Internet can be obtained in hotels, as well as in some specialized cafes in the capital. Cellular communications are provided by GSM 900 standards. Coverage is available throughout the island. It is worth noting that the island’s mobile operator does not provide roaming from the Russian Federation. Also, the entire island is covered by the Thuraya satellite communications system. The international country code is 687.

Shopping and what to bring from the islands

As in any tourist destination, New Caledonia offers a variety of shops and stalls where you can buy souvenirs and other goods. Most often, tribal artifacts are taken from the island as gifts. Local outfits, which are distinguished by bright colors and interesting prints, are very popular among women.

Interesting and unique gifts can be purchased from Caldoshells-Creation. Among the exhibits on offer are various sculptures made of black coral and interestingly shaped sea shells from the very bottom of the Pacific Ocean, as well as various art objects.

You can admire New Caledonia in the video:

New Caledonia is a place where a young couple, a family with children, single people and representatives of other social classes can relax. There is plenty of entertainment to suit every taste. Beautiful scenery and excellent weather make for a wonderful holiday.

Geographical encyclopedia

NEW CALEDONIA- (Nouvelle Caledonie) a group of islands in the southwestern part of the Pacific Ocean, in Melanesia. Possession of France. Consists of the large island of Nov. Caledonia (16.7 thousand km²) and smaller islands. total area 19 thousand km². Population 180 thousand people... ... Big Encyclopedic Dictionary

New Caledonia- (Nouvelle Caledonie) group o WWII in the southwest. parts of the Pacific approx. It consists of a large island of H.K. (16.7 thousand km2) and a group of small islands (Loyalty, Pen, etc.). Total area 19 thousand km2. Hac. OK. 150 thousand people (1984). Adm. center of Noumea. Official language … Geological encyclopedia

new caledonia- noun, number of synonyms: 2 island (218) country (281) ASIS Dictionary of Synonyms. V.N. Trishin. 2013… Synonym dictionary

New Caledonia- (New Caledonia), a group of islands in the south. parts of the Pacific Ocean. The first settlers appeared here at least 3 thousand years before Captain James Cook discovered the islands in 1774. The French annexed N.K. in 1853 and since 1864 they used this... The World History

NEW CALEDONIA- Territory 19 thousand sq. km, population 145 thousand people. IN agriculture 70% of the indigenous population is employed. Cultivated mainly are coconut palms and coffee. Hairless sheep are bred. Their number is 5 thousand... World sheep farming

New Caledonia- (Nouvelle Calédonie), a group of islands in the southwestern Pacific Ocean, in Melanesia. Possession of France. Comprises large island New Caledonia (16.7 thousand km2) and smaller islands. The total area is 19 thousand km2. Population 191 thousand people... ... encyclopedic Dictionary

New Caledonia- (French Nouvelle Calédonie) a group of islands in the southwestern part of the Pacific Ocean, in Melanesia (See Melanesia). Possession of France (“overseas territory”). It consists of the main island of N.K. (area 16.7 thousand km2), a group of Loyalty islands and... ... Great Soviet Encyclopedia

New Caledonia- an island in the southwest. parts of the Pacific Ocean, in Melanesia; possession of France. The island was discovered by the English navigator J. Cook in 1774; He also gave it the name New Caledonia in honor of Scotland, which in Roman times. The empire was called Caledonia. See also… … Toponymic dictionary

New Caledonia- (New Caledonia, French Nouvelle Calédonie) New Caledonia, islands, in the southwest. parts of the Pacific Ocean, east of Australia; form a French overseas territory; pl. 18575 sq. km, 164170 people. (1989); official language French; adm. center… … Countries of the world. Dictionary

Books

Emilio Salgari. Collected works in 5 volumes (set of 5 books), Emilio Salgari. The first volume of this Collected Works of the remarkable author of adventure novels Emilio Salgari (1863-1911) includes the Mortal Enemies trilogy, as well as the novel The Talisman. In the second... Buy for 1100 rubles
Treasure of the Blue Mountains. Buddha's sacred sword. City of the Leper King. Life is a penny. Lighthouse, Emilio Salgari. The action of the exciting novels by the wonderful author Emilio Salgari takes place on the island of New Caledonia ("Treasure of the Blue Mountains") and in South-East Asia("Sacred Sword...

New Caledonia is the first island that we visited on the cruise, namely its capital, the city of Noumea.

You need a visa to visit the islands, but if you come here on a cruise, no visa is required!
The island of New Caledonia is one of the largest islands in the Pacific Ocean and is an overseas territory of France. France actively sent its overly active revolutionaries into exile in New Caledonia.

Flag and coat of arms

The island was discovered by James Cook in 1774, named after the ancient name of his ancestral homeland of Scotland - Caledonia. At that time, only Kanakas lived there - Polynesian tribes whose men wore colorful skirts. The Kanakas are the indigenous people of Melanesia, living in New Caledonia, where they make up 40% of the population. The name comes from the Hawaiian phrase "kanaka maoli", often used in the past by European explorers, merchants and missionaries as a derogatory name for many non-European Pacific islanders. Before the arrival of Europeans, there was no unified state in New Caledonia, nor a common name for its inhabitants. Many Kanaks within their tribes continue to speak their own languages and follow their own customs. The Kanaks have been seeking independence for a long time, although now indigenous people has the opportunity to receive education and develop their culture. By the way, until the sixties of the 19th century, Kanaks were cannibals. They ate the brains of the dead.

The northwestern coast of the island is washed by the Coral Sea; the sea received this name because of the 1,600-kilometer-long coral barrier reef located along the coast (the second largest in the world after Australia). The New Caledonian Barrier Reef forms an outer lagoon, the largest on the planet.
The island produces many minerals: nickel, cobalt, chromium, iron, manganese, gold and lead. This is a high figure for the island! The mild climate and fertile soils make it possible to grow a good harvest of various crops.

On the ship you could buy a full-day excursion to the island of Amedi, where there is one of the tallest lighthouses in the world, 56 meters, and the first metal lighthouse built in France. But we decided to see the capital of New Caledonia at least a little.
The cruise ship arrives at the port at 8 a.m. and departs further along the route at 5 p.m.

Let's swim up.

It arrives exactly at the working port, so when leaving the ship, shuttle buses will be waiting for you, which will take you from the dock to the city, and also back. Buses take you to the building, like shopping center, where on the 1st floor you can buy excursions, and on the second floor souvenirs and clothes. We came across a Russian-speaking woman, she lives and works there selling excursions. But her tours were only for 2 hours, and that didn’t suit us. Therefore, we rented a minivan with a driver for 4 hours, agreed to take us somewhere, say, to see the sights, and at the end leave us on the beach. 1 hour is not cheap, 120 euros, but for 4 hours we negotiated down to 350.
Our machine.

First we went to Tjibau Center.
On a small peninsula 10 km from the city center, the new building of the Tjibaou Cultural Center, opened in 1998, is located, created to preserve cultural traditions Kanaks and other peoples of Oceania. The entire complex consists of ten buildings - huge cone-shaped structures with a height of 9 to 24 meters, capable of withstanding the strongest gusts of wind from the Pacific Ocean. They are connected by 250 meters of glass and wood passages. A garden of native plants grows around the structures. All pavilions are divided into 3 functional groups: the first - cafes and exhibition areas, the second - temporary projects and exhibitions, multimedia exhibitions, the third - classrooms with special equipment for studying the history of New Caledonia.

Site plan and layout.

My favorite Tahitian Gardenia is Tiare. I met her in Bora Bora, we saw her in the Cook Islands, and now in New Caledonia. She smells amazing!

We walked around the city center.

The 12-meter Kanak totem pole stands in the very center of Noumea, on the Green Square. It was built in 2005, in memory of the mourning day of September 24, 1853, when New Caledonia was captured by the French.

The Madeleine and Ouadiana waterfalls are located within the city. We drove to Madeleine Falls, but when we arrived and got out of the car, a thunderstorm began. We tried to climb to the waterfall, but we couldn’t, because the stones were very slippery and the rain was pouring. People came down from there at the fifth point, barefoot, all dirty. We were also soaked to the skin, but we dried out in the car. The driver said, well, since it’s not your destiny to see the waterfall, I’ll take you now to try a delicious milkshake made from real cow’s milk. He took us to a small shop and said that everyone who knows comes here all the time to taste this delicacy. And indeed, quite a lot of cars stopped in front of us, and people left the store with cocktails in their hands. The cocktail is really delicious! It is a well-whipped thick milkshake, with different flavors as desired, and costs 5 euros. There were 2 types: vanilla and strawberry, both were good! By the way, everywhere in stores, in addition to francs and euros, they also accept Australian dollars, so you don’t have to change them on the ship.

We climbed the hill in Ouen Toro Park, from where we can see panoramic view to the Anse Vata lagoon. The height of the hill is 132 meters. Anse Vata Beach is a two kilometer long white sand beach lying south of the city, is considered the most beautiful beach capital, and one of the most famous places in the world for windsurfing and kitesurfing. There really were waves there, and it was simply not suitable for swimming during windy times.

There are still cannons here, remnants from World War II.

After 4 hours of driving and walking around Noumea, the driver left us at Bai de Citron, or Lemon Beach. The name of the beach translates as “Lemon Beach”, due to its golden yellow sand, illuminated by the rays of the sun. The water was 28 degrees! We had to lie on beach towels, since there were no sun loungers offered here. There are showers and toilets on the beach, and bars, restaurants, and souvenir shops across the road. I can point out that this is not best beach, which we saw, but for a couple of hours of stay and comfortable swimming it is perfect. We got back to the shuttle bus parking lot by city bus. To travel 2 stops you need to pay 30 euros.

The islands of the future New Caledonia were inhabited by Kanaks back in the 13th century. BC. Europeans insultingly called Kanaks all Pacific Islanders. Subsequently, this name was assigned to all the indigenous inhabitants of this region, although the differences between the tribes are quite significant. Even now, “modern Kanaks” speak 30 different languages.

Archaeologists find pottery 2 various types. Some scientists argue that this is a consequence of two waves of Kanak migration to Grande Terre(the largest island of New Caledonia). Some people tend to think that these are just utensils for different purposes. Be that as it may, people lived here more than 3.5 thousand years ago.

Europeans discovered the islands in the fall of 1774 during trip around the world James Cook. The captain called new land the ancient name of his homeland Scotland - New Caledonia. The first meeting between Europeans and aborigines took place on September 5, after which the team walked around Grande Terre and discovered other small islands of the archipelago.

Over the next half century, the island was visited by rare whalers who pursued whales heading to the shores of New Caledonia in winter. Interest in New Caledonia increased after Europeans became interested in sandalwood. This small tree is prized for its rich red color and has been used to make expensive furniture. The first settlers from Europe came here in the early 1850s and began trading. From this moment the modern history of New Caledonia begins.

Although at first the island was chosen by the French for the construction of a prison. To do this, several military ships were sent to the shores of New Caledonia, which established French power on the archipelago. In 1853, New Caledonia was declared a French colony. A year later, Grande-Terre was founded in the south military base, which later turned into a city Noumea, capital of New Caledonia.

In addition to exiled criminals, law-abiding French were also sent to live on the islands. These were mainly farmers who cultivated the land in the west of Grande Terre. But neither coffee nor cotton met the farmers' hopes. But the discovery of nickel deposits retrained farmers into miners, and for several years there was a financial and, as a consequence, resettlement boom.

Until World War II, New Caledonia remained a quiet colony of France, although there were armed uprisings of the island's indigenous population, which were quickly suppressed by the authorities. During the war, the archipelago was used as a staging post and logistical base for the Allies in the Pacific. After the war, the process of decolonization began. All residents received French citizenship and the right to vote. The struggle for independence has entered a civilized channel, but the people of New Caledonia are voting against independence. French citizenship suits new Caledonians to this day.

Geography and climate of New Caledonia

The New Caledonia archipelago consists of the main large island of Grande Terre and several small islands: Belep, Ile de Pin, Chesterfield, Matthew And Hunter, as well as nameless coral and limestone islets. Grande Terre is the only mountainous island in the archipelago. Its area is 16 thousand km2. (for comparison, the entire area of New Caledonia is 19 thousand km2). mountain range runs along the entire island. The maximum height is 1628 m above sea level.

The age of the islands is about 300-250 million years ago. They were once part of the supercontinent Gondwana. The separation of the archipelago occurred 60-85 million years ago, when it separated from the future Australia and New Zealand. New Caledonia is rich in deposits of nickel, chromium, cobalt, manganese, lead, copper, and gold. The soil has become toxic from so many metals, and only unpretentious or endemic plants that have been able to adapt to such soil can grow in such conditions.

The climate is tropical, hot and humid. average temperature air temperature is 27.5C during the dry season, and 24.5C during the rainy season. Cyclones dominate from November to March and for an unprepared person they can seem like a real natural disaster. But in general weather very comfortable. Thanks in part to the climate, some Europeans decided to move to New Caledonia for permanent residence.

Animal and plant life

The continental nature of New Caledonia, in contrast to the islands of volcanic origin, determined the quiet “maturation” of the island. There were no major eruptions here. However, studies have shown that the entire archipelago was under water for a long time. Therefore the animal vegetable world New Caledonia is not as rich as it might seem at first glance. Although biologists argue that the mountains remained above the surface of the water, which allowed the preservation of those species of plants and animals that lived here since the time of Gondwana.

Currently, the special pride of New Caledonia is its species diversity geckos(family of lizards). A giant lives here banana gecko, the largest gecko in the world. Very rare eyelashed banana gecko- endemic to the archipelago. For some time the eyelashed gecko was thought to be extinct until it was rediscovered in 1994.

New Caledonia is the birthplace of 13 of the 19 that have come down to us araucaria, tall evergreen coniferous trees. They reach a height of 90 m. They are found on the islands of New Guinea, Australia, and Norfolk. Due to the archaic features of these endemic trees, the archipelago is sometimes called Jurassic Park. The prehistoric landscapes of New Caledonia were even chosen for the filming of the TV series Walking with Dinosaurs.

Tourism and travel in New Caledonia

Tourism is not New Caledonia's main source of revenue, but it still plays an important role in the archipelago's economy. All the necessary infrastructure is available on the island. There is also a choice budget options, and luxury vacation spots. New Caledonia leaves the impression of a European resort, but with a local flavor.

Very popular honeymoon trips to New Caledonia, especially among the Japanese. Since 2007, weddings have been taking place almost every day. To serve the newlyweds, it was even planned to build a separate wedding chapel, where wedding ceremonies were to be held among tourists.

New Caledonia is popular place among Australian schoolchildren learning French.

Helpful information

The official language of New Caledonia is French.
Currency - French Pacific franc. Plastic cards are accepted everywhere, but you can cash out outside major cities difficult, there are not many ATMs.
Cellular communication is available almost everywhere. Telephone code New Caledonia - 687 . To call to Russia you need to dial: 00 - 7 - City code - number
Very strong solar radiation, so it is strongly recommended not to be in the sun during the day. Be sure to wear hats.
The water current off the coast is very unpredictable. The tides begin abruptly and can sweep the swimmer out into the open ocean. Swimming is allowed only on public beaches, which are located in lagoons and are patrolled by lifeguards.

Panoramic images

Panorama of New Caledonia

New Caledonia is one of the oases of the Pacific Ocean. It is covered with tropical evergreen forests, in which rare species of trees and plants grow. Its deserted shores with golden and snow-white sands, as well as mangroves, border with the bright lights of nightclubs and noisy parties in local casinos. Undersea world It is breathtaking, and the coral reefs reveal all the diversity of ocean life.

French charm is mixed with a slight whiff of local Aboriginal traditions and Melanesian culture. Incredible views of waterfalls, relict trees and limestone caves will definitely leave a huge positive imprint on unforgettable vacation. A closed lagoon of the main island with a border in the form of a coral reef, which is not inferior in size to the Big one Barrier Reef, extends over many kilometers of clean water areas.

Briefly about the country

New Caledonia is an island of the same name among the waters of the Pacific Ocean, surrounded by small islands in the Melanesian part. It is a special administrative unit of France. Its borders run along the Australian economic zone from the southwest, meeting Fiji in the southeast, and Vanuatu in the north. Since this is a French "colony", banknotes here are presented in the form of the French Pacific franc. The country's population is only 245 thousand people.

The largest island formation is Grande Terre, its terrain is mountainous, and the coast is all indented by rocks. Numerous cozy secret coves hide the beauty of the coral reefs that are part of the coral ridge. The island has a large number of rivers and reservoirs, and the red soil is very fertile. The local forests, which occupy fifteen percent of the island's territory, contain very valuable tree species, including araucaria. It is he who is depicted on the coat of arms of New Caledonia. From the animal world we can distinguish great amount geckos; the islands are very poor on the rest of our smaller brothers.

In 2018, a second referendum on secession and acquiring the status of an independent country is expected. In the meantime, state life is monitored by the French High Commissioner, who is appointed by the President of France.

Historical reference

The island was discovered by the famous traveler and navigator James Cook in 1774, and named it after the name of his native country of Scotland - Caledonia, which is what it was called in ancient times. The history of settlement of the island dates back 3,500 years ago. According to historians, it began in the 13th century BC. At the beginning of the 20th century, archaeologists discovered the remains of ceramic products in the territories of New Caledonia. In 1853, French authorities established an expansion over the island and, a decade later, sent a ship carrying convicted criminals there. The French began cultivating coffee plantations and processing coconut palms, and in the 19th century the mining of gold, lead, chromium and other minerals began.

After receiving the status of an overseas territory, local aborigines - Melanesians - began to stage strikes and organize riots in honor of the declaration of independence of their country.

By ethnic composition Melanesians (Kanaks) also predominate; the French are slightly behind them in numbers. Polynesians, Indonesians and other nationalities also permanently reside on the island. Basically, the population of New Caledonia professes Christianity (Catholic and Protestant), there are also Muslims and Sunnis, but, along with these religions, the aborigines continue the traditions of local beliefs.

Besides French Thirty-three Melanesian and Polynesian dialects are common.

Culture

Compared to other countries in the Melanesian region, New Caledonia has a predominantly European culture rather than an Aboriginal culture. Even Aboriginal villages have become Europeanized areas, although their appearance is preserved in an archaic style. Those authentic houses round shape covered with palm leaves instead of a roof, can only be found in very remote places.

Sometimes tribal leaders can still build such a dwelling for themselves, but clothing and interior decoration are already keeping up with the times. When preparing food, New Caledonians also use European recipes, sometimes mixing them with their traditional ones.

Island paradise

Holidays in New Caledonia begin with its capital - Noumea, which is a real city of fashion and entertainment. Here you can find cool boutiques with casinos, and beautiful gardens with sandy beaches. Near the main island, mentioned above, there is an archipelago called Luaete and the famous Ile des Pins (or pine island). The latter is a real dream for a perfect holiday: it is surrounded by white fine sand and incredibly clear water. This is a real refuge from the hustle and bustle, and can be reached in just a fifteen-minute flight from Grande Terre.

Shops, hotels, restaurants and cafes accept Australian currency and you can exchange currency at the airport and in banks. Some banks charge a fee of five dollars for each cash withdrawal transaction; the fee does not apply to euros. Bank plastic cards are accepted in all city establishments, but if you travel outside the city, you will have to pay mainly in cash. In one week, you can withdraw no more than $350 through an ATM. Master and Diners Club cards are a bit limited in their use, but tourists will have no problems with Visa and American Express. It is also possible to cash out in banks or hotels of at least four stars.

Of course, having bought a tour to New Caledonia, everyone wants to take a piece of their vacation home as a souvenir. Therefore, the list of the most popular souvenirs will include amulets of local aborigines (Kanaks) and jade jewelry. All this can be purchased in the markets. But so in European countries If there is no special habit of haggling, then the same principle applies here - the purchase is carried out at the price announced by the seller. Moreover, if a tourist starts to bargain, the locals will perceive this as a sign of disrespect and, at a minimum, will refuse to cooperate with him.

Before purchasing a tour to New Caledonia, you need to think about how much a person can tolerate a hot climate, because the sun here is much closer to the ground and the radiation is very powerful. It is dangerous to be outdoors during the daytime - from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. It is necessary to use sunscreen every day and be sure to wear hats, glasses that protect from ultraviolet radiation, and drink as much fluid as possible (preferably fresh water).

It is better to follow the rules of swimming, since all beaches are mainly part of the ocean coast. There are frequent ebbs and flows, and there is also a coastal current, which can behave very unpredictably. Tour operators and guides recommend swimming in the lagoons. Don't forget about marine life. Inside coral lagoons, representatives of the aquatic part of the planet are, of course, rarely found, but in other parts coastal zone you might accidentally miss it sea urchin or even a shark.

Diving enthusiasts will definitely appreciate the deep-sea reef paradise. Dives must be carried out accompanied by an experienced instructor who knows the characteristics of the surrounding waters, since great depths and the complex currents around the islands can be an unexpected trap.

Traveling on the roads is easier here; more than five thousand kilometers of good road surface stretches across different directions, you will have to pay for a quarter of them. Rules traffic identical to French. The traffic here is average, and there is practically no congestion, because the largest locality is the capital of the state.

Cuisine of New Caledonia

An important point. When buying a trip to New Caledonia, you need to understand that all cooking traditions come from French cuisine. The main component of the entire island diet is, of course, seafood: shrimp, oysters, lobsters, local aborigines' salads of ocean fish in lime juice. In addition, bananas, coconuts, and sweet potatoes are widely used. Among alcoholic drinks, New Caledonians prefer wine, and among non-alcoholic drinks, freshly squeezed juices of various exotic fruits and coffee, the same thing that the French brought here. There are more than two hundred restaurants throughout the country offering excellent European-class service and delicious dishes from chefs.

Climatic conditions

The climate of New Caledonia is assessed as tropical trade wind. The air here is humid and hot, the air temperature remains virtually unchanged throughout the year and averages from 23 to 30 degrees Celsius above zero. The rains begin in November and continue until March, when cyclones pass over the islands. New Caledonia is characterized by the appearance of tropical hurricanes; in the autumn, the trade wind season predominates - that is, clear skies, but very windy.

How to get there

Because direct message There are no planes between Russia and the islands, then a flight from Moscow to New Caledonia can be accomplished in the following ways:

Through French lands using Air Austral.
Via Australia with Qantas and Aircalin.
Through New Zealand, to which, however, you will also have to fly in transit, c Air airlines New Zealand and Aircalin.
Through the lands of Vanuatu, using the services of Air Vanuatu.
Via Fiji South Korea or Japan by choosing Aircalin.

What to see while on vacation

It is better to start sightseeing in New Caledonia from the capital. After all, she is the clearest example of the merging of cultures. Noumea has a special charm French province, although it is almost the only normal and real pride on these lands. The city center is notable for its green square and large cultural center local peoples. The sleeping areas are filled with old colonial-era buildings. Several tens of square kilometers contain: a library, a museum, a zoo, a huge area with an aquarium and tropical fish, Neuville, where you can see ancient pre-colonial ruins, a large number of yacht clubs and much more.

Around the capital there are mangroves that surround sandy beaches with developed tourism infrastructure. Judging by the reviews, you should definitely visit Rusa, where animals live in conditions close to their real habitat. No less interesting are the wineries hiding in the Amyu Pass valley. For local folklore, it is better to go to the outskirts of the city of Yengen, where the Black Rocks with the Bvarhat cultural center are located. Every week events are held there aimed at reviving the traditional culture of the local people.

According to tourists, New Caledonia has its own picturesque old fort Teremba near La Foa, which must be included in the must visit list, and it is also worth walking through the roofless market - Farino. Tourists also report the beautiful Pazerel de Marguerite bridge, which was designed by engineers from Eiffel’s own design bureau.

We're going deep into civilization

Not far from the town of Burai there is a natural turtle paradise. This place is located quite far from the capital, 150 kilometers. Therefore, here you can observe pristine nature and representatives of ancient armored animals. Northern part islands are more authentic, here you can enjoy views of savannahs and mountain landscapes. rocky headlands, thermal springs, uniquely beautiful waterfalls and tropical vegetation will not leave any traveler indifferent.

Here you can see entire coconut groves and see how real coffee is grown. Moreover, nickel is mined in this part, which is the main export product.

Separately, you need to consider the island of Pen. This indoor resort VIP class. It is very expensive and covered with unique trees - Norfolk pines. It has preserved its original natural beauty with sand whiter than snow, and the life of the local aborigines - the Kanaks, who have lived on this land for hundreds of years.

Loyalty Island looks like coral atolls; they, like precious stones in a ring, are framed by a picturesque picture of flora and fauna. There are a couple of tourist villages here where you can order a diving service, rent a yacht and calmly relax from all the bustle of the world, walking along several memorable contrasting routes.

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