Grande Terre

Introducing Grande Terre

Measuring 400km long and 50km wide, Grande Terre (Main Land) is not only New Caledonia's major island but also the third-largest island in the Pacific after Papua New Guinea and NZ. A chain of mountains sweeps down the middle of the island, and the wide plains that stretch along its west coast are dotted with country towns where cattle breeders stroll down the street in Stetsons and cowboy boots. On the east coast the mountains descend to the sea, their lush vegetation meeting the steep and sinuous coastline. Waterfalls rush down the mountainsides into deep pools before trickling gently into the sea. Grande Terre is enclosed by the world's largest coral lagoon, where the islands' inhabitants spend much of their leisure time fishing, boating and enjoying other water sports.

Last updated: Jun 23, 2009