Heart shape
Two shades of mangrove.
Lauchantoiseau — CC BY-SA 4.0 · Frenchytahiti — CC BY-SA 4.0 · ToucanWings — CC BY-SA 3.0 · Samadi Alexandre — CC BY-SA 4.0
The Heart of Voh is a natural heart-shaped clearing in a mangrove forest near the town of Voh on the north-west coast of New Caledonia's main island, about 3 km in a straight line north-west of the town. It covers about four hectares at the mouth of a river flowing into the lagoon. The heart is not man-made: it is a patch of very salty ground where only a pale grey mangrove can grow, surrounded by darker green mangroves. The contrast between the two colours is what makes the heart shape stand out when seen from above. It was first spotted from the air in 1942, but became world-famous after the French photographer Yann Arthus-Bertrand photographed it from a helicopter in 1990, and the picture appeared on the cover of his book «Earth from Above» in 1999. Today it is a symbol of New Caledonia and has been protected as heritage of the North Province since 2004. The shape can only be made out from the air, so visitors usually see it on a scenic flight or helicopter ride, which are paid. Pick a clear day; morning light is best for photos.
Two shades of mangrove.
Over the lagoon.
At a river mouth.
Voh, North Province, New Caledonia
Its shape only shows from the air.
No, it is a natural clearing in the mangrove.