New Caledonia: Meaning and Definition of

New" Caledo'nia

Pronunciation: (kal"i-dō'nē-u, -dōn'yu), [key]
  1. an island in the S Pacific, ab. 800 mi. (1290 km) E of Australia. 113,680; 6224 sq. mi. (16,120 sq. km).
  2. an overseas territory of France comprising this island and other smaller islands: formerly a penal colony. 131,665; 7200 sq. mi. (18,650 sq. km). Cap.: Nouméa.
Random House Unabridged Dictionary, Copyright © 1997, by Random House, Inc., on Infoplease.