New Caledonia

New Caledonia was part of the continent Zealandia, which sank between 79 million and 83 million years ago.

British explorer James Cook named New Caledonia after the northeast of the island reminded him of Scotland.

The indigenous Kanak people were excluded from the French economy and confined to reservations, leading to a violent reaction in 1878.

New Caledonia has the richest biodiversity in the world per square kilometre, attributed to its unique landforms and micro-climates.

In 2008, six lagoons of the New Caledonian barrier reef were inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List.