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--percent of vote by party NA;
seats--(2 total) RPCR 2

Communists: number unknown; Palita extreme left party; some politically
active Communists deported during 1950s; small number of North Vietnamese

Member of: EIB (associate), WFTU, 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

- Economy
Overview: New Caledonia has more than 40% 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 of the land is suitable for cultivation, and food
accounts for about 25% of imports.

GNP: $860 million, per capita $5,810; real growth rate 2.4% (1989 est.)

Inflation rate (consumer prices): 1.5% (1986)

Unemployment rate: 6.2% (1983)

Budget: revenues $110.5 million; expenditures $110.5 million, including
capital expenditures of NA (1981)

Exports: $75 million (f.o.b., 1986); commodities--nickel metal
87%, nickel ore; partners--France 56.3%, Japan

Imports: $180 million (c.i.f., 1986); commodities--foods, fuels,
minerals, machines, electrical equipment; partners--France 50.3%,
Australia

External debt: $NA

Industrial production: growth rate NA%

Electricity: 400,000 kW capacity; 2,200 million kWh produced,
14,440 kWh per capita (1989)

Industries: nickel mining

Agriculture: large areas devoted to cattle grazing; coffee, corn,
wheat, vegetables; 60% self-sufficient in beef

Aid: Western (non-US) countries, ODA and OOF bilateral commitments
(1970-87), $3.6 billion

Currency: Comptoirs Francais du Pacifique franc (plural--francs);
1 CFP franc (CFPF) = 100 centimes

Exchange rates: Comptoirs Francais du Pacifique francs (CFPF)
per US$1--104.71 (January 1990), 115.99 (1989), 108.30 (1988), 109.27 (1987),
125.92 (1986), 163.35 (1985); note--linked at the rate of 18.18 to the French
franc

Fiscal year: calendar year

- Communications
Highways: 5,448 km total; 558 km paved, 2,251 km improved earth,
2,639 km unimproved earth

Ports: Noumea, Nepoui, Poro, Thio

Civil air: no major transport aircraft

Airports: 29 total, 27 usable; 5 with permanent-surface runways;
none wi