Noumea, the capital city of New Caledonia, is located on a peninsula in the south of New Caledonia's main island, Grand Terre.
It is the capital, chief port, and principal administrative and economic centre of the country and is home to the majority of the island's European, Indonesian, Tahitian and Vietnamese population, as well as many native Kanaks (Melanesians of the Papuan type).
Noumea enjoys a wonderful climate, with more sunshine days than any other Pacific Island capital.
The first European to set up a settlement nearby was a the British trader James Paddon in 1851. Only three years later, the city was officially founded by France and even today Noumea remains dominated by French language and culture. American troops were brought in the city shortly after the beginning of World War II to forestall its expected invasion by the Japanese.
Today, Noumea is one of the most rapidly-growing cities in the Pacific.
Tourism, and the mining and refinement of nickel-ore are very important to the town's economy.

Ile des Pins or the ‘Isle of Pines’ is an island in the archipelago of New Caledonia. The island, often called ‘the island closest to paradise...