New Caledonia fares well as a perfect choice for vacationing for its truly fascinating landscape, lush and verdant vegetation and water that make great scuba diving. Despite its isolation from major landmasses, New Caledonia has a number of interesting forms of animal life and offers some spectacular sightseeing options. Located in the southwest Pacific Ocean, approximately 1,500 km northwest of New Zealand, this island destination is part of the region of Melanesia. Scattered over an area of 18,575.5 sq km (7,172 sq. miles), New Caledonia comprises of the main island of Grande Terre and several other small islands of the Isle of Pines, the Loyalty Islands, Walpole Island, the Bellona Reefs, Chesterfield and the Belep archipelago. Among these, the Grande Terre is the largest one of all and the only one with mountain ranges. There are five peaks here with over 1500 meters height and the highest point is Mont Panié at 1,628 meters. New Caledonia also holds the distinction to contain about one-quarter of the world's nickel resources. Politically and administratively, New Caledonia is a French dependency and is enlisted with the United Nations list of Non-Self-Governing Territories. It is also famous for its spectacular biodiversity.

Isle of Pines