Nouméa

Nouméa is the capital and administrative center of New Caledonia, positioned on a peninsula along the southwest coast of the main island. The municipality spreads across several protected bays and is surrounded by green hills that give it a varied character.

France established the settlement in 1854 under the name Port-de-France as a penal colony for convicts. The town received its current name in 1866 and developed over the following decades into a major Pacific harbor.

The name comes from the Kanak word „Numɛ̃

The municipal administration is located in the center and is open to the public on weekdays. Many streets follow the coastline, making orientation fairly easy in most neighborhoods.

The commune manages over 180 public garden plots scattered across different neighborhoods. Residents use these spaces to grow vegetables and participate in community programs.

Location: South Province

Inception: 1854

Elevation above the sea: 7 m

Shares border with: Dumbéa, Le Mont-Dore

Website: https://noumea.nc

GPS coordinates: -22.26667,166.45000

Latest update: December 16, 2025 00:39