James Cook, en route to New Zealand on board his ship ´Resolution', discovered a large island he named "New Caledonia" in homage to Scotland. He dropped anchor in the Bay of Balade on the North East Coast. The ship's log describes the first encounter with Melanesian inhabitants, whose ancestors migrated to the area two or three thousand years ago.

Under the rule of Napoleon III, the island was officially declared French by Admiral Febvrier-Despointes. At the time, the population was estimated at 50,000 Melanesians and a few hundred Europeans.

At about the same time, the discovery of large mineral resources and subsequent mining of copper, cobalt and nickel were at the origin of the New Caledonian economy.

Governor Feillet's decree on immigration to the then penal colony incited migrants from Indonesia and Java. Most of these migrants worked on the newly opened mines, and settled in the country, hence the extraordinary multicultural diversity of New Caledonia.

WWII was a turning point in the history of the island. From 1943, one million Americans were posted at some point in New Caledonia. The GIs brought abundance and consumerism and as a consequence New Caledonia entered the twentieth century.

The dialogue between the different communities has evolved, and, after a difficult period, the "Matignon Accords" was signed by the MP for New Caledonia, Jacques Lafleur, Jean-Marie Tjibaou and the then French Prime Minister. Since then, New Caledonia has seen exceptional economic growth.

The "Nouméa Accords" which provide for a greater autonomy in New Caledonia, were ratified by the referendum which was held on November 8th, 1998.