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Geography and Environment of New Caledonia
Terrain, climate, natural resources, hazards, and environmental conditions of New Caledonia.
Detailed geography
Physical Features
- Terrain
- coastal plains with interior mountains
- Climate
- tropical; modified by southeast trade winds; hot, humid
- Highest Point
- 1628 — Mont Panie 1,628 m
- Lowest Point
- Pacific Ocean 0 m
Borders and Area
- Area (Comparative)
- slightly smaller than New Jersey
Natural Resources and Hazards
- Natural Resources
- Nickel, chrome, iron, cobalt, manganese, silver, gold, lead, copper. New Caledonia is particularly notable for its vast nickel reserves, holding an estimated 25% of the world's known nickel deposits, making it one of the most significant sources of the metal globally. Nickel mining and processing form the backbone of the territory's economy, with substantial export activity centered on ore and ferronickel production.
- Natural Hazards
- cyclones, most frequent from November to March
Environment and Land Use
- Current Environmental Issues
- erosion caused by mining exploitation and forest fires