Country France Population (2014 census) 9,245 Area 1,207 km² Province Loyalty Islands Province Number of airports 1 | Sui generis collectivity New Caledonia INSEE/Postal code 98814 /98820 Local time Friday 11:49 PM Mayor Néko Hnepeune | |
 | ||
Elevation 0–104 m (0–341 ft)
(avg. 30 m or 98 ft) Weather 26°C, Wind E at 10 km/h, 85% Humidity | ||
4k lifou new caledonia royal caribbean shore excursion
Lifou [lifu] is a commune of France in the Loyalty Islands Province of New Caledonia in the Pacific Ocean.
Contents
- 4k lifou new caledonia royal caribbean shore excursion
- Map of Lifou New Caledonia
- Lifou new caledonia
- Geography
- Geology
- Economic
- Religious
- Tourism
- Farming
- Famous residents
- References
Map of Lifou, New Caledonia
Lifou new caledonia
Geography
Lifou is made up of Lifou Island, the largest and most heavily populated of the Loyalty Islands, its smaller neighbour Tiga Island, and several uninhabited islets in between these two. All these islands lie among the Loyalty Islands, 190 km (120 mi) to the northeast of New Caledonia's mainland. At 1,146 km2 (442 sq mi), Lifou Island is the largest atoll in the world.
The town of Wé, on Lifou Island, is the administrative centre of the commune of Lifou as well as the provincial seat of the Loyalty Islands Province.
Geology
Like Maré and Ouvéa, the other Loyalty islands, Lifou is made of fossil coral. Lifou is a makatea (raised coral atoll), an ancient lagoon slowly raised by geological processes. Due to the uplift, Lifou consists of a wide, flat centre surrounded by cliffs which correspond to the ancient reefal cliffs. The coral rock exhibits high porosity and hence, neither Lifou nor any of the other Loyalty Islands have surface water. It does, however, have a large freshwater reservoir which can be accessed through caves. These caves were used in the past when searching for fresh water, and are very important to the island's mythology.
Economic
The first Europeans to have contact with Lifouans were whalers, who had very limited, and certainly not friendly, communications with them. Sandalwood traders also came to New Caledonia around 1841.
Religious
By the mid-19th century, there were Anglican missionaries at work on Lifou, although there had been natives and Polynesian immigrants doing religious work before then. In 1843, French Catholic missionaries arrived on Lifou; shortly afterward, the Anglicans and Catholics became involved in a religious war that lasted until the French takeover of Lifou in 1864. The missionaries even established a school on Lifou Island, and from 1840 to the early 20th century taught most of the population to read. They did enough religious work that in 1998 the Lifouans were referred to as "devout Christians."
Tourism
Lifou is a popular cruise port, with many cruises coming from Australia. The most common port-of-call is Easo; the ships anchor just off the island and tender passengers ashore, being too large for the wharf there. Lifou is known for its snorkeling.
Farming
The Lifouans grow several crops, including yams, taro, and bananas; they also produce copra.
Famous residents
Christian Karembeu, a French footballer who won the 1998 FIFA World Cup with the French National side, is from Lifou.