Lifou Island

Lifou ( Drehu in the local language of the same name ) is about 1,200 km ², the largest atoll in the upscale Loyalty Islands (French: Îles Loyalty Islands ) in the South Pacific to New Caledonia. On the island there are wonderful caves.

Vernacular of the 8,627 inhabitants of the island is the oceanic language Drehu. Equal sign next to it is generally understood, the official language is French and used.

The island is divided into three chief districts, whose boundaries extend from the Baie de Chateaubriand in the east of the island in a straight line to the northwest or southwest. These are the districts Wetr (headquarters: Hnathalo ) in the north, Gaïca (headquarters: Drueulu ) in the west and Lössi (headquarters: Mu ) in the south. To Lössi and thus also to the community Lifou includes the 34 km further east island Tiga.

Wé, capital of the province of the Loyalty Islands and the administrative center of Lifou, consists of lying on the east coast along the Baie de Chateaubriand tribes ( tribes ) Luecila, Qanono and Hnasse. Situated at the juncture of the three chief districts Wé was previously often battle. Here the first mission station of the island was in 1842 by the Protestant missionary Fao built.

The airfield of the island is located in the settlement Wanaham (alternative spelling: Ouanaham ) about 20 km north of Wé and offers regularly scheduled flights to Noumea.

Personalities

The former French international footballer Jacques Zimako and Christian Karembeu were born on the island. The current New Caledonian football player Xolawawa Céline was indeed born on the Island, but grew up in France.