Nouméa Map

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Description:

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Nouméa is the capital and largest city of New Caledonia, a special collectivity of France located in the southwest Pacific Ocean. Situated on a peninsula in the south of New Caledonia's main island Grande Terre, it serves as the main economic and cultural center of the territory.

The city was established in 1854 as Port-de-France and received its current name in 1866. Today, Nouméa is home to about two-thirds of New Caledonia's total population, with approximately 94,285 inhabitants as of the 2019 census. The greater Nouméa area accounts for roughly 180,000 residents, representing about 70% of New Caledonia's total population.

Nouméa boasts a tropical climate with warm temperatures throughout the year. The city serves as a vital port, handling most of New Caledonia's imports and exports, particularly nickel ore, which forms the backbone of the territory's economy. The port infrastructure includes facilities for both commercial shipping and cruise vessels, making it an important stopover for South Pacific cruise routes.

The city features several notable attractions and cultural institutions. The Tjibaou Cultural Center, designed by Italian architect Renzo Piano, showcases Kanak culture and is considered one of the most significant contemporary architectural works in the Pacific region. Place des Cocotiers, the main square in the city center, serves as a popular gathering spot with its historic bandstand and surrounding cafes. The New Caledonia Museum houses extensive collections relating to the territory's history and indigenous cultures. Lemon Bay (Baie des Citrons) and Anse Vata are the city's most popular beaches, offering various water sports activities and lined with restaurants and hotels.

Educational facilities include the University of New Caledonia, which was established in 1999 and serves as the primary institution of higher learning in the territory. The city also hosts various research institutions, including centers focused on tropical agriculture and marine biology.

Transportation within Nouméa is primarily by car and bus, with the Karuïa Bus network providing public transit services throughout the urban area. La Tontouta International Airport, located approximately 52 kilometers from the city center, connects Nouméa with other Pacific destinations, France, and major cities in the Asia-Pacific region. The city's infrastructure continues to develop, with recent years seeing improvements in road networks and public facilities to accommodate its growing population and tourism sector.

The Facts:
Subdivision: South Province.
Population: ~ 94,285 (2019 census).
Metropolitan population: ~ 200,000.

Neighbourhoods of Nouméa: Rivière-Salée, 4e Km, Aérodrome, Haut Magenta, Magenta, Ouémo, and Portes de fer, 6e km, 7e km, Normandie, and Tina, Ducos, Ducos industriel, Kaméré, Koumourou, Logicoop, Numbo, Tindu, Faubourg Blanchot and Vallée des Colons, Doniambo, Montagne coupée, Montravel, and Vallée du tir, Artillerie Nord, Centre Ville, Nouville, Quartier Latin, Vallée du Génie, Anse Vata, Artillerie Sud, Baie des Citrons, Motor Pool, N'géa, Orphelinat, Receiving, Trianon, and Val Plaisance.

Main sights: Nouméa Cathedral, Amedee Lighthouse, Aquarium des Lagons Nouvelle Caledonie, Tjibaou Cultural Center, Le Musee Maritime de Nouvelle-Caledonie.