New Caledonia
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Economy
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Major Attractions
Isle of Pines
Amedee Lighthouse
Noumea Cathedral
Aquarium des lagons Nouvelle Caledonie
Flights to New Caledonia
Major Problems
Current Events
References
Major Problems
Racial Equality and Harmony
New Caledonia is serious problems with racial equality and harmony.
The Melanesians feel that they are being exploited because they are not being paid any money for the nickel that is mined from their tribal lands.
There are very few Melanesians in high government or business positions.
The lifestyle of Noumea benefit mostly from the French.
The French control the economy and much of the voting for representatives to Paris.
The Melanesians are now outnumbers by outsiders.
All the racial equality has led New Caledonia into an independence movement.
There were violent demonstrations and an independence leader has been assassinated.
France does not want to let New Caledonia go and consider it a part of France.
The French living in New Caledonia also want to stay a part of France.
Violence and Political Turmoil
Elections have been boycotted by the Kanaks who want voting limited to those who have at least one parent born in New Caledonia.
There have been shootings and bombings.
The Kanaks independence groups have declared a provisional independent government.
The territory was recently divided into four regions, each with its own council.
A status referendum was help in September, 1987 with the choices being either continuing as a French Territory of total independence.
The kanaks organized a boycott due to anger because there was no choice of a semi-independent status.
98% of the voters chose continued control by France.
This situation is far from settled and the United Nations has added New Caledonia to its list of colonies that do not have self-determination.
The likelihood for more violence in the territory remains high.