New Caledonia

This Melanesian island in the southwest Pacific is about half the size of Taiwan, but packs a number of interesting and unique experiences. Made up of one main island (Grande Terre) and several smaller islands, this region was historically significant for its nickel deposits – over one quarter of the world’s nickel deposits are found here. The exploitation of this resource has led to much irreparable damage and conservation efforts are now in place. Unlike many South Pacific islands, New Caledonia is not volcanic in origin, but is rather a fragment of an old super-continent. As a result, a number of varied and unique endemic species have evolved. In fact, over 75% of the botanic species are endemic. The Cagou, the national bird of New Caledonia, is flightless, slow, and the size of a rooster. This bird lays only one egg a year! Reef life is just as interesting and far more varied. With a large network of lagoons – the largest in the world spreading over 23,000km in size, and with an average depth of 20m, over 20,000 species of invertebrates and fish can be discovered. While a simple native lifestyle still exists on the island, a long standing French influence has also meant that French cultural touches are apparent, influencing everything from fine cuisine to architecture.