Why is it called New Caledonia?

New Caledonia is named after the Latin term "Caledonia," which refers to Scotland. This name was given by British explorer Captain James Cook during his voyage in 1774, as he found the landscape reminiscent of Scotland. The archipelago was later claimed by France, and the name has persisted since then. Today, New Caledonia is an overseas territory of France located in the southwest Pacific Ocean.