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New Caledonia, former English possession, was discovered by the north where the installation started. Given to France in exchange of a help to the Mediterranean, Tardy de Montravel was sent to seek a better place than Balade (approached by Cook) and discovered the bay of Nouméa, better protected, but terribly dry and nearly without trees. It was named at fisrt "Port of France".

Noumea and its surroundings constitute a cosmopolitan agglomeration of some 120.000 inhabitants.

The territory's capital itself gather 65 % of the islands population on 9 % of the surface.

The city has grown in taking over 400,000 square meters on the sea, with the Nickel ore dusts. Recently, the harbour was another time filled, burying boats under restaurant, Marina and location boots.

It is a sumptuous and modern city : relief of the peninsula (hills), interest and installations of the coasts, nature (much trees planted), equipment and trade (of which averages and large malls). One finds there nearly all we need. Detached houses are of colonial style, with a beautiful evolution ; pastels tone sheet iron roofs add a particular ambiance.

Nouméa escape partially from the trade winds and the strong rains. It is a peninsula with rugged outline and with the relief agreeably embossed with "mounts". Difficult to find a flat ground there ; the main roads are not lined up with large buildings but serve districts which frequently oblige to plunge or to climb stiff so much are the slopes direct: to start again at a stop when your vehicle has the cap in the air is not always easy.

The surroundings are also valuable, the lagoon and its small islands of course ( the most beautiful reef, is opposite the city), the Koghi mounts and the rain forest, the Mount Dore and its residences and especially the wild Great South, so strange, in direction Prony or Yaté.

Nouméa. First, the semi circular Baie des Citrons; then the Baie de l'Orphelinat, and right hand the beginning of the city downtown. Background, the mountain; not very far away.

FR3 broacast- Thalassa on the New Caledonia (early 2009).

One also goes there to wait for the sunset expecting to the green ray. May be tonight.

Right hand, the Anse Vata beach and its hapiness "promenade" : it is the heart of the tourist activities; opposite side, restoration, many curios, agencies, small train.
Please, see Nouméa beaches.

Sight on the centre of Noumea and the "place of the Cocotiers" and the market square.

The market : under the blue roofs, inspired from the ex-hotel "Château Royal" (ex Club Med) you will find vegetables, fruits, fish ..., but also the " curios". Very attended by the local population and the tourists.

Have a coconut scraped on the spot for your "Poisson à la Tahitienne" (Tahitian fish, marinated with green lemon and coco milk).