Paris, July 9, 2008: As of yesterday, the Lagoons of New Caledonia were recorded on the prestigious list of sites that are declared a World Heritage by UNESCO, which is a first for an overseas territory of France. Nearly 15,000 km² of the 23,000 km² area of the New Caledonian Lagoons now benefit from this international recognition. It is now the 33rd French site to be recorded on this list, but only the second natural site after the Gulf of Porto in Corsica.
UNESCO has listed a total of six New Caledonian sites, including the lagoons, the barrier reef and the mangrove swamp. Among these sites are:
• in the South, the Great Southern Lagoon and the Western coastal area
• in the North, the Northern and Eastern coastal areas and the Great Northern Lagoon
• in the Loyalty Islands, the Ouvéa and the Beautemps-Beaupré Atolls
• and offshore, the Atolls of Entrecasteaux
In order to obtain the label as a UNESCO World Heritage, the proposed sites had to meet four requirements:
• have a remarkable ecological and biological process for the evolution of ecosystems
• show the presence of habitats that have been preserved in excellent condition for the biodiversity, including endangered and emblematic species
• have an exceptional natural beauty
• constitute examples that are representative of the history of the earth
This international recognition is a wonderful opportunity for New Caledonia, who forms a part of the very coveted club of 167 countries possessing “natural resources” that are recognized throughout the world for their “exceptional, universal and invaluable character”, among which are the Grand Canyon (Arizona), the fjords of Norway, and the Galapago Islands.
Surrounded by a 1,600 km long coral reef, New Caledonia is the country with the largest lagoon in the world. In certain places along the coast, the coral reef in located only a few kilometers out from shores, and in other places, it is located 65 km out from the coast. Its flora and fauna are one-of-a-kind in the world, with more than 1,000 species of fish and 6,500 species of marine invertebrates.
New Caledonia has natural and cultural elements that are precious and unique to its environment, making it an unusual destination. There is no question that this prestigious label is a major step in the pursuit to protect the lagoons and to develop a high quality tourism in New Caledonia.
NEW CALEDONIA TOURISM
25 RUE DES PYRAMIDES – 75001 PARIS
TEL: 01 47 03 14 74 – FAX: 01 47 03 14 75