Nouméa

Nouméa (also Numea), town in New Caledonia, an overseas territory of France, on the island of New Caledonia, in the south-west Pacific Ocean. Located on the protected harbour in the south-western part of the island, it is the territory's capital, chief port, and administrative and economic centre. Nickel-ore mining and refining, and tourism are vital parts of the city's economy. The National Conservatory of Arts and Crafts (1971) and the Bernheim Library are here. The town was founded by the French in 1854 (then called Port-de-France) and was a penal colony from 1864 to 1897. Nouméa developed rapidly after it became the site of a United States air base during World War II. Population 65,110 (1989).