Melanesia
Discover Amédée Lighthouse, Lagoons of New Caledonia — Grand Lagon Sud, Tjibaou Cultural Centre — ribbed pavilions.
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engineering
The Amédée Lighthouse has stood on its small islet off Nouméa since 1865. New Caledonia Tourism gives its height as 56 metres. Look closely at the narrow windows, metal seams and flared base: this is an iron tower rather than a stack of masonry blocks. A gallery circles the lantern above the tapering shaft. Its unusual material and tall, fine outline make it a distinctive piece of maritime engineering within the surrounding lagoon.
Source: www.newcaledonia.travel
marine life
New Caledonia's World Heritage lagoons comprise six marine clusters, including Grand Lagon Sud. Their habitats range from coral reefs to seagrass and mangroves, supporting varied marine life. Different reef forms record the interaction of living organisms, coastal environments and the surrounding ocean.
Source: UNESCO World Heritage Centre
architecture
On Nouméa’s Tina Peninsula, the Jean-Marie Tjibaou Cultural Centre brings Kanak culture and contemporary architecture into conversation. Renzo Piano Building Workshop describes ten cases of different sizes, linked by a path and grouped into villages. Their curved iroko ribs and slats recall Kanak building traditions while helping air move through the outer shell. The centre honours Jean-Marie Tjibaou and was developed with local cultural knowledge, including the contributions of Marie-Claude Tjibaou and anthropologist Alban Bensa.
Source: www.rpbw.com
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