1939-1976 History of the Pacific Islands




New Caledonia, since 1976



The islands' population is ethnically divided in three groups, the indigenous Canaques (Kanaks), a minority, the descendents of (mostly French) immigrants who identify with France and a community of expatriates from Wallis and Futuna, Polynesians who migrated here in search for jobs (mainly in the mining industry).
In 1984 the National Kanak Socialist Liberation Front (FLNKS) was founded, which advocates independence from France and is supported by the majority of the Kanak population. The descendants of the immigrants, politically represented by the RPCR, were for continued ties with France and voted so in a referendum held in 1987 which was boycotted by many Kanaks. Violence erupted; French troops intervened and for one year New Caledonia's self government was suspended. In 1988 the MATIGNON ACCORD was signed, according to which the issue of independence should be decided by a referendum to be held in 1998; FLNKS leader JEAN-MARIE TJIBAOU was assassinated in 1989, allegedly because he had signed the accord. The referendum of 1998 resulted in continued ties with France, but further extended political autonomy.
Population figures of 1996 give 44 % Melanesians (Kanaks), 34 % Caldoches (descendants of mostly French immigrants), 9 % Wallisiens and Futuniens. New Caledonia continues to be one of the world's leading suppliers of nickel (30 % of the world reserves).



Population of New Caledonia
1950-1996
1950
1960
1970
1980
1990
1996 		59,000
79,000
110,000
142,000
167,000
196,836



EXTERNAL
FILES 		New Caledonia, History of, from Infoplease, from My Travel Guide
DOCUMENTS Map, from New Caledonia Homepage
Flag (French tricolore), from FOTW; Flag of FLNKS, from FOTW
Noumea Accord of 1998, from ambafrance.org.fj
REFERENCE



This page is part of World History at KMLA
First posted on January 13th 2002, last revised on November 5th 2004

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