This heritage site comprises six marine clusters; according to Unesco, ‘The barrier reefs and atolls in New Caledonia form one of the three most extensive reef systems in the world, and together with the reefs of Fiji, are the most significant coral reefs in Oceania. They are the location for the world’s most diverse concentration of reef structures, 146 types based on a global classification system, and they equal or even surpass the much larger Great Barrier Reef in coral and fish diversity. They provide habitat to a number of threatened fish, turtles, and marine mammals, including the third largest population of dugongs in the world..’.
This barrier reef heritage site surrounds Grande Terre, New Caledonia’s largest island, as well as the Ile des Pins and several other islands. Its northwestern extension encloses the Belep Islands and other sand cays. Several natural passages open out to the ocean. The Boulari passage leads to Noumea, the capital and chief port of New Caledonia; its lighthouse is known by the name of Amedee lighthouse.
Caledonia relates itself with the ancient world by the term ‘dona’ which identifies the Dan of the Bible and Danu of Indian puranas. Name Kala finds a good mention in Pali literature; It finds Kala as a minister of King Pasenadi of Kosala as well as it was name of his brother also; Kala was King of the Nagas; it was name of a ‘hell’. Kala Devala was the family teacher of Sudho-Dana, father of the Buddha who belonged to the biblical Dan community. Several other names are found in this name Kala. The most important among them is the name of Kaludai, son of the minister of Sudho-dona; he was born on the same day as the Buddha. His name was Udayi. He was very famous during the time of the Buddha because he succeeded to bring Buddha visit Kapilavastu after his Enlightenment. Thus he was called kulappasadakanama aggo means ‘he who gladdened the clans’.
Similarly name Boulari whose root is in ‘boula’ identifies the settlement of women-friends of the royal house /or the sheds of the cattle; it is also name of a tree.
Terre—Tyre
Ile des Pins—Ayila or the country of Ilaid; here Pins means ‘Pis’ or Pss..
Belep—Beluva
Noumea—Nimi/Nimia
Amedee—-Medea/Medi
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