Caldoche is the name given to European inhabitants of the French territory of New Caledonia. The formal name to refer to this particular population is Calédoniens, short for the very formal Néo-Calédoniens, however this self-appellation technically includes all inhabitants of the New Caledonian archipelago, not just the Caldoche. Occasionally, Caldoche may also be used as a pejorative by outsiders, comparable to pied-noir. Another "white" demographic element (although they may well be Frenchmen of different ethnic backgrounds) in the territory is expatriates from metropolitan France who live there temporarily as functionaries. Caldoches are keen to differentiate themselves from these inhabitants, underlining their position as the permanent locals, referring to them as métros, short for métropolitains. World map showing Europe Europe is one of the seven continents of Earth which, in this case, is more a cultural and political distinction than a physiographic one, leading to various perspectives about Europes borders. ... The French Overseas Departments and Territories (often abbreviated DOM-TOM for départements doutre-mer, territoires doutre-mer) consist broadly of French-administered or -claimed territories outside of Europe. ... An ethnonym (Gk. ... Pied-noir is a term for the former French colonists of North Africa, especially Algeria. ... Metropolitan France (French: la France métropolitaine, or just la Métropole) refers to the part of France in Europe, including Corsica, as opposed to the overseas departments and overseas territories, which, while integral parts of the French Republic, are regarded as Overseas France (la France doutre-mer, or...

Cultural flag of the Caldoche community, showing the cagou.

New Caledonia was used as a penal colony from 1854 to 1922 by France. From this period and on, many Europeans (particulary of French and, to some extent, German origin) settled in the territory and they intermingled with Asian and Polynesian settlers. Code de l'indigénat, introduced in 1887, provided the free settler population with an advantegous status over the indigenous Melanesian peoples, known collectively as Kanak. Caldoches settled and gained property on the dry east coast of the main island Grande-Terre de la Nouvelle-Calédonie where the capital Nouméa is also located, pushing the Kanaks onto small reservations in the north and west. With the superior position, they constituted the ruling class of the colony and they were the ones who widened the usage of the word Canaque as a pejorative. Image File history File links NC_Caldoche. ... Image File history File links NC_Caldoche. ... Binomial name Rhynochetos jubatus Verreaux & DesMurs, 1860 The Kagu or Cagou (Rhynochetos jubatus) is a long-legged greyish bird, the only member of the family Rhynochetidae. ... A Penal Colony is a colony used to detain prisoners and generally use them for penal labor in an economically underdeveloped part of the states (usually colonial) territories, and on a far larger scale than the prison farm. ... 1854 was a common year starting on Sunday (see link for calendar). ... 1922 (MCMXXII) was a common year starting on Sunday (see link for calendar). ... It has been suggested that this article or section be merged into Asian people. ... Polynesia is generally defined as the islands within the triangle Polynesia (from Greek: πολύς many, νῆσος island) is a large grouping of over 1,000 islands scattered over the central and southern Pacific Ocean. ... 1887 (MDCCCLXXXVII) is a common year starting on Saturday (click on link for calendar) of the Gregorian calendar or a common year starting on Monday of the Julian calendar. ... Melanesia (from Greek black islands) is a region extending from the west Pacific to the Arafura Sea, north and north-east of Australia. ... Kanak (formerly also Canaque) are the indigenous Melanesian inhabitants of New Caledonia in the South Pacific. ... Orbital photo of Nouméa, New Caledonia, taken from the International Space Station. ...

Caldoche culture is often compared to cultures of rural Australians, Afrikaners and "Rednecks". They are, on the political level, typical loyalists (in the context of New Caledonia, they oppose the creation of an independent Kanaky). They were seen as supporters of strongly Caldoche RPCR (Rally for Caledonia inside the Republic) until 2004, when their support shifted considerably towards Avenir ensemble ("Future Together"), which has the vision of a multiracial New Caledonia within the frame of the French Republic. Afrikaners are an ethnically distinct group of Caucasian descendants of European settlers, arriving in modern day South Africa on and after 16 April 1652. ... To meet Wikipedias quality standards, this article or section may require cleanup. ... In general, a loyalist is an individual who is loyal to the powers that be or The Establishment. ... The Rally for Caledonia in the Republic (Rassemblement pour une Calédonie dans la République) is a political party in New Caledonia, strongly supportive of the French status of New Caledonia. ... 2004 (MMIV) was a leap year starting on Thursday of the Gregorian calendar. ... The Future Together (Avénir ensemble) is a political party in New Caledonia, supporting the maintenance of the relations with France. ...

See also

• Kanak
• Pied-noir

Kanak (formerly also Canaque) are the indigenous Melanesian inhabitants of New Caledonia in the South Pacific. ... Pied-noir is a term for the former French colonists of North Africa, especially Algeria. ...

External links

• Dictionnaire Franco-Calédonien A comprehensive list of idioms and phrases particular to New Caledonian French.
• Brousse-en-folie A popular local comic strip series