Land use: arable land: 0%

permanent crops: 0%

permanent pastures: 12%

forests and woodland: 39%

other: 49% (1993 est.)

Irrigated land: 160 sq km (1991)

Natural hazards: cyclones, most frequent from November to March

Environment - current issues: erosion caused by mining exploitation and forest fires

New Caledonia People

Population: 204,863 (July 2001 est.)