New Caledonia

I am a sweet girl of good values who is located approximately 1,200 km east of Australia and 1,500 km northwest of New Zealand. My friends call me Kanaky or Le Caillou. I am made up of several islands, the largest of which is the Grande Terre. I am a producer of about one-fourth of the world's nickel resources, so you could say that I am a pretty loaded babe. If you like high elevations, an incredible amount of biodiversity, and a lot of rain, then I am the island nation for you.This is my official emblem; I have it tattooed on my left breast.I am currently governed by the French Republic, but don't let that come between you and I; I am sceduled to gain my independence as early as the year 2014.I am home to a wide variety of wildlife that is found nowhere else on earth. Here is a sampling: