Trivia in New Caledonia

Learn fascinating facts and trivia about this country

Oceania / Oceania

National symbols

Flag: Two official flags coexist: the French Tricolore and the Kanak flag

New Caledonia Flag

Emblem: A coat of arms featuring a nautilus resembling an ammonite and an Araucaria tree

New Caledonia Emblem

Trivia & facts

  • The world's second-longest lagoon is visible from satellite photos with the naked eye.
  • Famous in Japan as filming location for 'The Island Closest to Heaven.'
  • Road signs are in French, occasionally with Kanak language additions.
  • The flightless endemic Kagu bird has a call resembling a dog's howl.
  • Niaouli essential oil is a popular souvenir multipurpose oil.
  • Cars are right-hand drive with right-side traffic, same as mainland France.
  • Late January through March is cyclone season; sea and air transport disrupted.
  • Nouméa post office fronts the southernmost Monoprix (French supermarket chain) worldwide.
  • No EU passport control when departing, same as mainland France.
  • Shell currency used in indigenous coming-of-age ceremonies, still employed in weddings.

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