Mountains run the entire length of the main island.
On the western side the land is relatively flat and forested by gum trees. The east coast is more mountainous with beautiful seashores fringed by tropical plants. Crystalline serpentine rock covers more than half the island. The Loyalty Group lies to the east of New Caledonia, the main islands being Ouv a, Lifou and Mar . The remaining islands are the Chesterfield Group, Hinter, Huon Group, Matthew and Walpole.