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ABOUT NEW CALEDONIA - HISTORY
Settlement of the islands of New Caledonia are dated at 4000 years ago as part of the great Melanesian migration across the Pacific from Asia. This is evidenced by rock carvings (petroglyphs), sculptured stone and Lapita pottery.
It was not until 1766 that Europeans first discovered the islands, and Captain James Cook named them New Caledonia in 1774. 18 years later, the first French explorer to the islands was Bruni d'Entrecasteaux.
The first European settlers engaged in the trade of sandalwood and whaling, followed in 1830 by London Missionary Society missionaries. French Missionaries arrived in December 1843.
10 years later, the French made New Caledonia a colony, which opened the island for agricultural development of coconut, cocoa and coffee. The 'Isle of Pines' then became a penal colony from 1864 to 1897 for thousands of convicts. During the 2nd World War, the islands were a free French outpost and were used by the United States military as a base from which to launch attacks on the Japanese.
In 1956, New Caledonia became an Overseas Territory of France. However, the growing demand by Melanesian separatists for independence resulted in violent outbreaks in 1989 and led to the Matignon Accord, which established three provinces and provincial councils with elected members. These councils combine to make the Territorial Assembly. The Noumea Accord, signed in 1998, aims for eventual independence from France.
 For further useful New Caledonia links, visit the Links page.
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