Koné, New Caledonia Explained

Koné
Commune Status:Commune
Province:North Province
Map Size:270px
Adjustable Map:Locator map of Koné 2018.png
Map Caption:Location of the commune (in red) within New Caledonia
Insee:98811
Postal Code:98860
Mayor:Thierry Gowecee[1]
Term:2020 - 2026
Coordinates:-21.059°N 164.8518°W
Elevation M:10
Elevation Min M:0
Elevation Max M:1014
Area Km2:373.6
Population:8144
Population Date:2019 census
Population Footnotes:[2]
Ethnic:Kanaks 57.75%
Europeans 14.35%
Wallisians and Futunans 1.78%
Mixed 12.71%
Other 13.41%
Ethnic Date:2019 census

Koné (pronounced as /fr/) is a commune in the North Province of New Caledonia, a special collectivity of France in the Pacific Ocean. Koné is the provincial seat of the North Province.

Geography

Climate

Koné has a tropical savanna climate (Köppen climate classification Aw). The average annual temperature in Koné is . The average annual rainfall is with February as the wettest month. The temperatures are highest on average in February, at around, and lowest in July, at around . The highest temperature ever recorded in Koné was on 12 February 1954; the coldest temperature ever recorded was on 21 July 1997.

Politics and regional development

Koné is the seat of the government of the Northern Province, dominated since the Province was established by pro-Independence politicians. The aim has been to develop Koné and neighbouring towns into an economic growth pole, anchored by the large Koniambo project and nickel mine. The idea has been to give Kanak peoples job opportunities independent from France and the loyalist Southern Province. This 'VKP' zone is now established, with a marked increase in business activity, construction, and public facilities (library, cinema, swimming pool) since the mid 2000s.

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Répertoire national des élus: les maires. data.gouv.fr, Plateforme ouverte des données publiques françaises. 13 September 2022. fr.
  2. https://www.isee.nc/component/phocadownload/category/193-recensement?download=1979:rp-2019-population-logement-menages-communes Population, ménages et logement par commune, en 2019