Hienghène

Hienghène ([jəŋ.ɡɛːn];[2][3] Fwâi: Hyehen) is a commune in the North Province of New Caledonia, an overseas territory of France in the Pacific Ocean. It is located on a bay called Hienghène Bay, known for its eroded limestone islets.[4]

Hienghène
Commune
"La Poule" (the hen) cliff in Hienghène
Location of the commune (in red) within New Caledonia
Location of Hienghène
Coordinates: 20°41′39″S 164°55′20″E
CountryFrance
Sui generis collectivityNew Caledonia
ProvinceNorth Province
Government
 • Mayor (2020–2026) Bernard Ouillate
Area
1
1,068.8 km2 (412.7 sq mi)
Population
 (2019 census)[1]
2,454
 • Density2.3/km2 (5.9/sq mi)
Ethnic distribution
 • 2019 censusKanaks 94.17%
Europeans 2.36%
Wallisians and Futunans 0.12%
Mixed 2.61%
Other 0.73%
Time zoneUTC+11:00
INSEE/Postal code
98807 /98815
Elevation0–1,628 m (0–5,341 ft)
(avg. 20 m or 66 ft)
1 New Caledonia Land Register (DITTT) data, which exclude lakes and ponds larger than 1 km² (0.386 sq mi or 247 acres) as well as the estuaries of rivers.

The islets are remnants of a limestone and silica formation that once covered the whole of the bay, some 40 million years ago.[4] Erosion from wind and water carved away the softer limestone, leaving the harder silica behind in eye-catching formations. Several of these formations have been given fanciful names, such as the Sphinx, the Towers of Notre Dame, and the Hen (pictured).[4]

References
  1. Population, ménages et logement par commune, en 2019, Institut de la statistique et des études économiques Nouvelle-Calédonie
  2. Wallis, Mary Davis (25 June 1994). The Fiji and New Caledonia Journals of Mary Wallis, 1851-1853. editorips@usp.ac.fj. ISBN 9789820200951 – via Google Books.
  3. Stanley, David (3 December 2004). Moon Handbooks South Pacific. David Stanley. p. 858 – via Internet Archive. Hienghène pronunciation.
  4. Scheffel, Richard L.; Wernet, Susan J., eds. (1980). Natural Wonders of the World. United States of America: Reader's Digest Association, Inc. p. 179. ISBN 0-89577-087-3.


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