Loyalty Islands Province facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Loyalty Islands Province
Province des îles Loyauté
|
||
|---|---|---|
|
||
Location of Loyalty Islands Province in New Caledonia
|
||
| Country | France | |
| Collectivity | New Caledonia | |
| Seat | Wé (Lifou) | |
| Area | ||
| • Total | 1,980.9 km2 (764.8 sq mi) | |
| Population
(2019)
|
||
| • Total | 18,353 | |
| • Density | 9.2650/km2 (23.9962/sq mi) | |
| Ethnic Groups (2019) | ||
| • Kanak | 94.63% | |
| • Multiracial | 2% | |
| • European | 1.74% | |
| • Ni-Vanuatu | 0.09% | |
| • Wallisians and Futunans | 0.08% | |
| • Indonesians | 0.05% | |
| • Other Asian | 0.02% | |
| • Tahitians | 0.01% | |
| • Vietnamese | 0.01% | |
| • Other | 1.38% | |
| Languages | Drehu, Iaai, Nengone | |
The Loyalty Islands Province (in French, Province des îles Loyauté) is a special part of New Caledonia. It is a group of islands, also called an archipelago, found in the Pacific Ocean. These islands are located northeast of New Caledonia's main island, Grande Terre.
The main office for the provincial government is in Lifou, which is about 100 kilometers away. The Loyalty Islands are a special territory of France. In 2019, about 18,353 people lived on these islands, which cover almost 2,000 square kilometers. The first people to live here were the Kanak and Tavu'avua' peoples.
Contents
A Look at Their History
The first time Westerners officially visited the Loyalty Islands was in 1793. A British captain named William Raven was on his ship, the Britannia, sailing from Norfolk Island. However, it's thought that another ship, the Loyalty, might have found and named the islands earlier, around 1789 or 1790.
Island Geography
The Loyalty Islands are made up of six islands where people live. These are Lifou Island, Maré Island, Tiga Island, Ouvéa Island, Mouli Island, and Faiava Island. There are also many smaller islands and tiny islets that no one lives on.
All together, the land area of these islands is about 1,981 square kilometers. The highest point is on Maré Island, reaching 138 meters above sea level. The islands are part of the New Caledonia rain forests area, known for its unique plants and animals. One of the main things the Loyalty Islands send to other places is copra, which is dried coconut meat. There is also mining on the main island, Grand Terre.
In 2021, a strong earthquake happened southeast of the islands. It was a 7.7 magnitude quake, and many smaller quakes followed it.
Who Lives There?
The people living in the Loyalty Islands are mostly from Melanesian and Polynesian backgrounds. There is also a small group of people from Europe.
In 2009, about 17,436 people lived on the islands. This number changed over time. By 2014, the population grew to 18,297, and in 2019, it reached 18,353 people. Many Loyalty Islanders also live on New Caledonia's main island, especially in the capital city, Nouméa.
Island Communes
The Loyalty Islands Province is divided into three main areas called communes, which are like local towns or districts.
- Lifou includes Lifou Island, Tiga Island, and some smaller islands.
- Maré includes Maré Island and Dudun Island.
- Ouvéa includes Ouvéa Island, Mouli Island, Faiava Island, and other nearby islands and islets.
- Walpole Island is geographically part of the Loyalty Islands. However, it is managed by the commune of Île des Pins in the South Province of New Caledonia.
How the Islands are Governed
The Loyalty Islands have their own local government, called a provincial congress. This congress helps make decisions for the islands. As of 2018, there are 14 seats in the congress, held by six different political groups.
- The Caledonian Union has four seats. This group supports New Caledonia becoming independent.
- The Rally for Caledonia in the Republic has two seats. This group wants New Caledonia to stay part of France.
- Other groups like the National Union for Independence-Kanak and Socialist National Liberation Front, Socialist Kanak Liberation, Renewed Caledonian Union, and Union of Pro-Independence Co-operation Committees each have two seats. These groups also have different ideas about the future of New Caledonia.
Leaders of the Province
The Loyalty Islands Province has had several presidents who lead the government.
- The first president served from 1989 to 1995.
- The second president was Nidoïsh Naisseline, from 1995 to 1999.
- The third president was Robert Xowie, from 1999 to 2004.
- The fourth president was Néko Hnepeune, from 2004 to 2019.
- The current president is Jacques Lalié, who started in 2019.
