FACTS

Location: Oceania, islands in the South Pacific Ocean, east of Australia

Area (only Total) total: 19,060 sq km

Climate: tropical; modified by southeast trade winds; hot, humid

Terrain: coastal plains with interior mountains

Population: 224,824

Main Language (only first): French

Government type: NA

Capital (Name): Noumea

Capital (Time Difference): UTC+11

Independence: none (overseas territory of France); there are no first-order administrative divisions as defined by the US Government, but there are 3 provinces named Province des Iles, Province Nord, and Province Sud.

National holiday: Bastille Day, 14 July (1789)