and write (1976)
Labor force:
50,469; foreign workers for plantations and mines from Wallis and Futuna,
Vanuatu, and French Polynesia (1980 est.)
Organized labor:
NA

:New Caledonia Government

Long-form name:
Territory of New Caledonia and Dependencies
Type:
overseas territory of France since 1956
Capital:
Noumea
Administrative divisions:
none (overseas territory of France); there are no first-order administrative
divisions as defined by the US Government, but there are 3 provinces named
Iles Loyaute, Nord, and Sud
Independence:
none (overseas territory of France); note - a referendum on independence
will be held in 1998, with a review of the issue in 1992
Constitution:
28 September 1958 (French Constitution)
Legal system:
the 1988 Matignon Accords grant substantial autonomy to the islands;
formerly under French law
National holiday:
Taking of the Bastille, 14 July (1789)
Executive branch:
French President, high commissioner, Consultative Committee (cabinet)
Legislative branch:
unicameral Territorial Assembly
Judicial branch:
Court of Appeal
Leaders:
Chief of State:
President Francois MITTERRAND (since 21 May 1981)
Head of Government:
High Commissioner and President of the Council of Government Alain
CHRISTNACHT (since 15 January 1991)
Suffrage:
universal adult at age 18
Elections:
Territorial Assembly:
last held 11 June 1989 (next to be held 1993); results - RPCR 44.5%, FLNKS
28.5%, FN 7%, CD 5%, UO 4%, other 11%; seats - (54 total) RPCR 27, FLNKS 19,
FN 3, other 5; note - election boycotted by FULK
French Senate:
last held 24 September 1989 (next to be held September 1992); results -
percent of vote by party NA; seats - (1 total) RPCR 1
French National Assembly:
last held 5 and 12 June 1988 (next to be held June 1993); results - RPR
83.5%, FN 13.5%, other 3%; seats - (2 total) RPCR 2
Member of:
FZ, ICFTU, SPC, WMO
Diplomatic representation:
as an overseas territory of France, New Caledonian interests are represented
in the US by France
Flag:
the flag of France is used

:New Caledonia Economy

Overview:
New Caledonia has more than 25% of the world's known nickel resources. In
recent years the economy has suffered because of depressed international
demand for nickel, the principal source of export earnings. Only a
negligible amount