Poindimié – a town in New Caledonia (French overseas collective), 5004 inhabitants (2006). The food industry.
Archive for the 'Uncategorized' Category
10
Feb
09
Poindimié
New Caledonia sends two deputies to the French National Assembly, one representing the commune (municipality) of Nouméa, the commune of L’Île-des-Pins and the Loyalty Islands Province, and the other representing the rest of New Caledonia. New Caledonia also sends one senator to the French Senate.
21
Jun
08
Origin of the name
The name Caledonia derives from the Latin name of an area corresponding to modern Scotland. The name Kanaky is also in common usage in French, English and the indigenous languages. This name is favored by Melanesian nationalists. The word comes from kanaka, a Hawai`ian word (elsewhere tangata and variants) meaning “human/person/people”, used by Polynesians to refer to themselves. The word was later used by the French about all the indigenous inhabitants of the South Pacific Ocean, including the Melanesian (non-Polynesian) native inhabitants of New Caledonia. The word, turned into Canaque in French, became derogatory. In the 1960s and 1970s, when the Melanesian native inhabitants started to organize themselves into political parties and call for independence, the word was transformed into a symbol of political emancipation and pride. In 1983, during the period of political turmoil, the terms Kanak and Kanaky became political brand names and colonial whites (Caldoches) realized the name had changed into a political statement.
18
May
08
When to Go
Go whenever you can seize the chance but for the best weather, festivals and sporting contests, make it between May and mid-December. For walking or trekking, narrow it down to the cold season, June to August, when water temperatures drop to 21°C (70°F) and the air is cooler. The Avocado Festival is held in mid to late-May, the three-day Foire de Bourail from late-August to early September, and the Équinoxe in October. If you’re a diver, don’t miss the riot of colour that accompanies the coral spawning in early summer. If you’re nervous about cyclones or mosquitoes you might consider staying home between November and April.
