An island of the South Pacific belonging to France, the most southerly of the Melanesian group, lying about 800 m. E. of Australia and nearly 1000 m. N. of New Zealand; is mountainous, produces the usual tropical fruits, and exports some nickel, cobalt, coffee, etc.; is used by the French as a convict station; discovered by Captain Cook in 1774 and annexed by France in 1853; Noumea, on the SW., is the capital.