Complex sentence: In 1775, there were 70,000 Kanaks living on the islands which declined to 27,000 during early colonial rule as a result of their forcible living in the reserved areas.
Split into simpler sentences: In 1775, there were 70,000 Kanaks living on the islands. This declined to 27,000 during early colonial rule as a result of their forcible living in the reserved areas.