Walpole Island (New Caledonia)

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Walpole from space
Walpole from space

Walpole Island (île de Walpole in French) is a small and uninhabited French Island, 180 km east of New Caledonia in the South Pacific.

[edit] History

British captain Butler discovered the island in 1794 and named it after his ship "Walpole".

[edit] Geography

As the easternmost island of îles Loyauté arc, Walpole is located 180 km east of New Caledonia (168° 58' E, 22° 38' S). It is 4 km long North-South, and 0.5 to 1 km wide. The area is about 3 km².

Walpole is a coral island of volcanic origin. During the last glaciations cycles, the island was submerged and rose several times, creating a coral capping. The island is bordered by cliffs and erosion holes. On the Eastern shore is a small plain. There is no source of surface fresh water.

[edit] External links

Coordinates: 22°38′S, 168°58′E