New Caledonia located in the South Pacific is the French dependency. It is made up of main 350 km / 217 miles long island, the Grand Terre with capital city of Noumea, several smaller islands like Ile des Pins and 1500 kilometers / 920 mi long barrier reef. Initially New Caledonia was a penal colony where thousands of French criminals and political prisoners were sent. Today, it is a more peaceful place that attracts by its natural beauty.