New Caledonia is located in the southwest Pacific Ocean and includes the main island of Grande Terre, Loyalty Islands, Isle of Pines Belep Archipelago, and The Chesterfield Islands. New Caledonia is a special collectivity of France.
New Caledonia is fairly small as a country only totaling a land area of 7,172 square miles. The 2011 population reflects the size of the country as well being estimated at just 256,275.
The location of this country provide for a very diverse topography which includes a large mountain range dividing the main land with the highest peak to the North reaching 1629 meters and the slightly smaller peak in the southeast of 1618 meters. The east coast provides for a lush development of vegetation. Savannah and plains that are suitable for farming can be found in the drier area on the west coast of the mainland. Other islands have areas of wet evergreen forests and savannahs.
New Caledonia is home to the largest lagoon in the world. The New Caledonia lagoon covers a 24,000 square kilometer area.
The climate of New Caledonia is moderated by the ocean that provides winds and temperatures averaging 23 degrees Celsius.