Koné, New Caledonia

Koné is a municipality in the Province Nord, New Caledonia.

Geography

Koné is due to the humid west coast of the largest island of New Caledonia Grande Terre and also includes the Ile Pingiane off the coast. Inland, the town is dominated by a mountain range, which rises to 1041 m altitude. The highest point of the municipality lies at 1014 m near the summit of Atheu.

Koné has a small airport which is located about 2 km from the city center.

Districts

In addition to Koné, the largest district still belong Koniambo and Tiaoué as the smallest settlements to the community. In the field kones live a total of ten different strains.

History

On the Foué Peninsula, not far from the reference Koné Lapita is (probably 21 ° 6 ' 0 " S, 164 ° 48 ' 30" O 21.1164.80833333333 ) of the first driving agriculture and ceramics leading Lapita culture ( from 1500 BCE) Melanesia. Here 1917, the oldest traces of settlement in New Caledonia were discovered, it consisted of round and oval houses and was about 1400 to 1200 BC. inhabited.

Koné was founded in 1879 as a military base, and received city rights in 1887. The city is systematically developed into an industrial center and school for several years, and will form a counterpoint to the capital Noumea New Caledonia to the north. In neighboring Voh recently, the facility Usine du Nord was built for nickel processing, and by 2015 the three cities Koné, Voh and the south to Pouembout form an agglomeration of 16 000 inhabitants.

Population

Attractions

The town hall was opened in late 2006. In its interior, frescoes and sculptures by local artist Kiki Poma are noteworthy. Not far away is a memorial to the Caledonians from Koné area, who gave their lives for France in the First and Second World War.

The most visible Catholic Church with its distinctive triangular shape and a gable tab instead of a church tower was inaugurated in 1954, it goes back to a mission station was founded in 1891.

The Open Air Museum and Cultural Centre culturel Provincial de Koohnée, which was built from a 1880 high country manor house and several cottages built in the traditional style of different tribes there, is located about 3 km southeast of the city center, close to the river Koné. Here also theatrical performances, shown films and given concerts.