Here is our cagou, a bit less arrogant, but more natural.
The cagou is a curious bird which does not fly and which barks as a little dog. Endangered specie, it was victim of rats and one says dogs. It is protected and one can see it at the botanical and zoological park of Noumea.

situation map in the Pacific

Engraved bamboos (geography Le Borgne)
Engraving on bamboos; there are some of them at the museum of Nouméa: as the Egyptian drawings, they describe the life of the ancestors, travels, fauna and flora.
(one can find reproductions in some curios)

The column-like pines were planted everywhere, but several species are single (endemic), in particular in the "île des Pins" (island of the Pines).

" THE STONE ": It is the principal island of New Caledonia, called "main land" it consists of a rectilinear chain of mountains tilted of approximately 45° on the parallels.
Two summits culminate in North and the south, the Panié mount (1629 m) and the mount Humboldt (1618 m); this last is on the level of the international airport of Tontouta.

The tropic of Capricorn passes to the south of the territory (23° 27 '). The Australian coast 1500 km far away.

Image NC tourism

400 km length on 50 broad are allowed approximate dimensions for the large ground, still called " the stone ". The total surface of archipelago is approximately 18600 km2.

This "Pays d'Outre-mer" (overseas country), french collectivity, is divided into three "Provinces", including one for the easthern islands (Ouvéa, Tiga, Lifou and Maré). A High commissioner represents the French government. Noumea is the seat of institution of the Southern Province itself.

From the plane, " the stone " shows its superb lagoon, but also its immense yellow-reddish scars due to the exploitation in open sky of the nickel discovered by Garnier. The lagoon is fantastic but the mountains, dry and bushy on the western side, refrain your enthusiasm because you do not see the expected " tropical paradise ". fortunately, it will be better once on the ground because all is to be discovered.

Noumea is the only big city. With its sprawling districts, it numbers 110.000 inhabitants out of the 215.000 of the territory.

- When going away from Noumea, in the main land, one says that one goes" "en brousse" (in bush).
 

Nouméa: near the "rocher à la voile" (rock at the sail).

Valley

Top of hut of Canala and  coconut hut (see "curios"
 

EASTERN COAST : rainy and very " tropical " with its beaches of white sand, coconuts and banana trees; it is primarily a kanak land. The rivers are short, straight and can become violent, of which Tchamba and its broad mouth. The last "bac" (small formerly hand powered ferry!) which currently remains makes it possible to cross the magnificent Ouaïème.

The tribes are numerous there, cultivating yams, tarots and manioc for their roots, as well as the coffee.
This one was formerly a source of income (the production is 50 tonnes/an, that is to say 1/5me consumption; the remainder is imported mainly of New Guinea. The coprah, which was exported formerly, came especially from the islands.

I was told that the best coffee, the "Leroy", is being planted again after ages of abandon, but only for a an "elite".

WESTERN COAST : Said "under the wind ", so dry. Overburn by the summer sun, scenery of the West coast with its softer slopes forming large plains : grass savannas, bushes and shrubs,  Among them counts the well know niaouli tree with the sheets  like eucalyptus, tortuous like an olive-tree and white as a birch which would peels. It burns but pushes back thanks to the protection of its multiple layers of white "skin" that avoid it to be killed. The sheets produce the gasoline of niaouli (goménolée oil)

The extensive breeding is practised there: it is the real of the " stockmen" (inspired by Australia), especially in the area of Bourail and La Foa (exhibitions of rodeos).
Typical summer landscape of the large farms of the West coast. Undulating ground where the niaoulis reign as masters. One formerly extracted the "goménol spirit and oil".

Today perfumes and liquors of niaouli are provided, if one likes.