Hienghène (French pronunciation: [jɛ̃ɡɛn] or [jəŋ.ɡɛːn];[3][4] Fwâi: Hyehen)[5] 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.[6]

Hienghène
"La Poule" (the hen) cliff in Hienghène
"La Poule" (the hen) cliff in Hienghène
Location of the commune (in red) within New Caledonia
Location of the commune (in red) within New Caledonia
Location of Hienghène
Map
Coordinates: 20°41′39″S 164°55′20″E / 20.6941°S 164.9222°E / -20.6941; 164.9222
CountryFrance
Sui generis collectivityNew Caledonia
ProvinceNorth Province
Government
 • Mayor (2020–2026) Bernard Ouillatte[1]
Area
1
1,068.8 km2 (412.7 sq mi)
Population
 (2019 census)[2]
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.[6] 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).[6]

References

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  1. ^ "Répertoire national des élus: les maires" (in French). data.gouv.fr, Plateforme ouverte des données publiques françaises. 13 September 2022.
  2. ^ Population, ménages et logement par commune, en 2019, Institut de la statistique et des études économiques Nouvelle-Calédonie
  3. ^ 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.
  4. ^ Stanley, David (3 December 2004). Moon Handbooks South Pacific. David Stanley. p. 858. ISBN 9781566914116 – via Internet Archive. Hienghène pronunciation.
  5. ^ http://www.tourismeprovincenord.nc/fr/les-communes/hienghene [bare URL]
  6. ^ a b c 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.