Walpole Island (New Caledonia)

Walpole (French Île de Walpole ) is the most south-eastern island of the group of the Loyalty Islands. Walpole is located 180 kilometers east of New Caledonia in the South Pacific. The uninhabited island is about 3.5 km long and between 0.3 km and 0.9 km wide in north-south direction. Its area is about 2.0 km ². Walpole Although geographically part of the Loyalty Islands, but not administratively belongs to the province of the Loyalty Islands, but to the commune of L' Île- des-Pins the Southern Province of New Caledonia.

History

On November 17, 1794 British sea captain Thomas Butler discovered the island and named it Walpole, after his ship, which he had brought goods to New South Wales. Captain Herskine landed in 1850 on the island. From 1910 to 1936, broken down in Walpole guano. At that time, there were about 300 people. Today Walpole is uninhabited and is rarely visited by scientific research expeditions. It has been about 800 found evidence of settlement by people of the Lapita culture BC on the island of Walpole.

Geography

Walpole is an upscale Atoll volcanic origin. The island consists mainly of a plateau with vertical cliffs and narrow coastal strip in the south-west and north-west, the southern part of the island is covered with stunted trees. There is no fresh water sources.

Walpole, leeward west coast.

Walpole, West Coast, cobbles.

Walpole, leeward west coast.