New Caledonia Their social organization is traditionally based around clans, which identify as either "land" or "sea" clans, depending on their original location and the occupation of their ancestors. According to the 2009 census, the Kanak constitute 94% of the population in the Loyalty Islands Province, 74% in the North Province and 27% in the South Province. The Kanak tend to be of lower socio-economic status than the Europeans and other settlers. Europeans first settled in New Caledonia when France established a penal colony on the archipelago. Once the prisoners had completed their sentences, they were given land to settle. According to
1991–92 South Pacific cyclone season French territory of New Caledonia during March 4, as a category 3 severe tropical cyclone. As a result of passing over the mountainous island nation and increasing vertical wind shear, the system transitioned into an extratropical cyclone over the cooler waters of the Tasman Sea. The extratropical remnants of Cyclone Esau subsequently made landfall on New Zealand's North Island during March 8, before they were last noted during the next day over the South Pacific Ocean. The system caused minimal damage and one death as it affected the Solomon Islands, Vanuatu, New Caledonia and New Zealand. There was no damage