Question: Which of the following Western Pacific Islands (Archipelago) has gone through referendum and decided to stay with France?
(a)Palau
(b)Samoa
(c)New Caledonia
(d)Mariana
Answer: (c)
Related facts:
- On 4th November, 2018, New Caledonia went for the polls in a referendum deciding whether they wish to become independent from France.
- Final result showed that 56.4% chose to remain part of France while 43.6% voted to leave. Recent inhabitants (representing 17% of the total of 210,105) who are registered to vote in general elections were ineligible to vote in the referendum, as agreed in the 1998 Nouméa Accord.
- This island is located in the southwest pacific, just east of Australia. This archipelago is a part of the Melanesia region of Oceania. It is a dependent overseas territory of France since it was colonized in 1853.
- This is for the second time New Caledonia has undergone referendum for independence, first it was held in 1987.
By Ramayan Upadhyay
Links:
https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-46087053
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/New_Caledonian_independence_referendum,_2018