The climate is tropical, with a hot and humid season from November to March with temperatures between 27 °C and 30 °C, and a cooler, dry season from June to August with temperatures between 20 °C and 23 °C, linked by two short interstices.
New Caledonia has many festivals that take place throughout the year. Besides the larger regional and national events, most villages will have special celebrations often related to food, harvest, sport, or religion.
New Caledonia has a special status of sui generis collectivity of France. It is located in the subregion of Melanesia in the southwest Pacific.