Some people have likened this sophisticated French Territory to the French Riviera transported to the South Pacific. With its Parisian designer boutiques, duty free shopping, fine dining and high concentration of Europeans, it does have a distinctly international feel. Grande Terre, the island on which the capital Noumea is situated, is where everything happens. It covers a 400km long area from north to south and is 50km wide from west to east. Noumea's attractive restaurants cater to all tastes and budgets ranging from the traditional French to Moroccan, Italian, Chinese, Japanese and even Vietnamese fare.
Nightlife is very active in the capital with two casinos and a host of private clubs.
New Caledonia's 200,000 inhabitants are spread across seven islands. The 'Big Land' as the main island is known dominates with the Loyalty Islands and Isle of Pines making up the balance of the group.