This French Overseas Territory is home to the world’s second largest barrier reef, and the third largest island in the South Pacific, Grand Terre. With an impressive mixture of ethnic groups, New Caledonia is a land of many traditions, customs and cultures. Its capital, Noumea, is also known as the “Paris” of the South Pacific (similar to Papeete, Tahiti), because of the strong French culture. Out in the countryside, many kanaks (indigenous people) still practice a village-based traditional lifestyle.
Topics of special interest include marine and terrestrial biology, indigenous cultures, history, politics, and government.