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
Swimming at the 1975 South Pacific Games New Caledonia won the most gold medals. The most successful individual swimmer, however, was Papua New Guinea's Charlie Martin who won eight medals, four of which were gold. French Polynesia (Tahiti) and Papua New Guinea won 7 and 5 gold medals respectively in the 12 men's events. New Caledonia dominated the women's events, winning 8 of the 9 gold medals available. Teams entered in the swimming competition included: Swimming at the 1975 South Pacific Games Swimming at the 1975 South Pacific Games took place in Agana, the capital of Guam on 2–9 August 1975. It was the fifth edition of