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![]() Map of Lifou, the central island in the Loyalty Islands, New Caledonia. | |
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Geography | |
---|---|
Location | Pacific Ocean |
Coordinates | 20°54′S 167°12′E / 20.9°S 167.2°E |
Archipelago | Loyalty Islands |
Area | 1,207 km2 (466 sq mi) |
Length | 81 km (50.3 mi) |
Width | 16–24 km (9.9–14.9 mi) |
Administration | |
France | |
Sui generis collectivity | New Caledonia |
Commune | Lifou |
Demographics | |
Population | 10,151 (2004) |
Pop. density | 8.48/km2 (21.96/sq mi) |
Ethnic groups | Kanaks 96.9%, Europeans 2.6%, Polynesians 0.1%, Other 0.4% |
Lifou Island, historically spelt Lifu or Lefu in English, and known as Drehu in the local language, is the largest, most populous and most important island of the Loyalty Islands, in the archipelago of New Caledonia, an overseas territory of France in the Pacific Ocean. With a total area of 1,207 km2 (466 sq mi), Lifou is located east of Australia at 20°54′S 167°12′E / 20.9°S 167.2°E.