French Polynesia

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French Polynesia (French: Polynésie française, Tahitian: Pōrīnetia Farāni) is a French overseas collectivity with the particular designation of "overseas country" (French: pays d'outre-mer, or POM) in the southern Pacific Ocean. It is made up of several groups of Polynesian islands, the most famous island being Tahiti in the Society Islands group, which is also the most populous island, and the seat of the capital of the territory (Papeete). Although not an integral part of its territory, Clipperton Island is administered from French Polynesia.

Contents 1 Politics 2 Administration 2.1 Administrative divisions 3 Geography 4 Economy 5 Demographics 5.1 Religion 6 Transport 7 Education 8 Famous people of French Polynesia 9 Miscellaneous topics 10 See also 11 External links

[edit] Politics

Main article: Politics of French Polynesia

Politics of French Polynesia takes place in a framework of a parliamentary representative democratic French overseas collectivity, whereby the President of French Polynesia is the head of government, and of a pluriform multi-party system. Executive power is exercised by the government. Legislative power is vested in both the government and the Assembly of French Polynesia.

[edit] Administration

Between 1946 and 2003, French Polynesia had the status of an overseas territory (French: territoire d'outre-mer, or TOM). In 2003 it became an overseas collectivity (French: collectivité d'outre-mer, or COM). Its statutory law of 27 February 2004 gives it the particular designation of "overseas country" to underline the large autonomy of the territory.

[edit] Administrative divisions

Main article: Administrative divisions of French Polynesia

French Polynesia has five administrative subdivisions (French: subdivisions administratives):

• Windward Islands (French: (les) Îles du Vent or officially la subdivision administrative des Îles du Vent) (the two subdivisions administratives Windward Islands and Leeward Islands are part of the Society Islands)
• Leeward Islands (French: (les) Îles Sous-le-Vent or officially la subdivision administrative des Îles Sous-le-Vent) (the two subdivisions administratives Windward Islands and Leeward Islands are part of the Society Islands)
• Marquesas Islands (French: (les) (Îles) Marquises or officially la subdivision administrative des (Îles) Marquises)
• Austral Islands (French: (les) (Îles) Australes or officially la subdivision administrative des (Îles) Australes) (including the Bass Islands)
• Tuamotu-Gambier (French: (les) (Îles) Tuamotu-Gambier or officially la subdivision administrative des (Îles) Tuamotu-Gambier) (the Tuamotus and the Gambier Islands)

[edit] Geography

Main article: Geography of French Polynesia

The islands of French Polynesia have a total land area of 4,167 square kilometres (1,622 sq. mi) scattered over 2,500,000 square kilometres (965,255 sq. mi) of ocean.

It is made up of several groups of islands, the largest and most populated of which is Tahiti.

The island groups are:

• Austral Islands
• Bass Islands often considered part of the Austral Islands
• Gambier Islands often considered part of the Tuamotu Archipelago
• Marquesas Islands
• Society Islands (including Tahiti)
• Tuamotu Archipelago

Aside from Tahiti, important atolls and islands, and island groups in French Polynesia include Ahe, Bora Bora, Hiva `Oa, Huahine, Maiao, Maupiti, Mehetia, Moorea, Nuku Hiva, Raiatea, Tahaa, Tetiaroa, Tubuai, and Tupai.

[edit] Economy

Main article: Economy of French Polynesia

French Polynesia has a moderately developed economy, which is dependent on imported goods, tourism, and the financial assistance of mainland France. Tourist facilities are well developed and are available on the major islands. Also, as the noni fruit from these islands is discovered for its medicinal uses, people have been able to find jobs related to this agricultural industry.

The legal tender of French Polynesia is the CFP Franc.

Agriculture: coconuts, vanilla, vegetables, fruits.

Natural resources: timber, fish, cobalt.

The major export of French Polynesia is their famous black Tahitian pearls.

[edit] Demographics

Main article: Demographics of French Polynesia

Total population at the 2002 census was 245,405 inhabitants, 83% of whom are Polynesian, 12% white, and 5% East Asian (mainly Chinese). In 2002, 69% of the population of French Polynesia lived in the island of Tahiti alone. The urban area of Papeete, the capital city, has 127,635 inhabitants (2002 census).

French is the official language of French Polynesia. An organic law of April 12, 1996 states that "French is the official language, Tahitian and other Polynesian languages can be used."

[edit] Religion

Christianity is the main religion of the islands, with a majority (54%) belonging to various Protestant churches and a large minority (30%) being Roman Catholic.

[edit] Transport

Main article: Transportation in French Polynesia

While most major roads are paved and well-maintained, many secondary roads are not. Traffic is brisk and all types of vehicles and pedestrians jockey for space on narrow streets. Crosswalks are marked and the law requires that motor vehicles stop for pedestrians; however, this is not always done. Tourists should exercise caution when driving, particularly at night.

There are 51 airports in French Polynesia, 39 are paved[1]

[edit] Education

Education is also provided by France. French Polynesia has a University, the Université de la Polynésie Française (UPF, "University of French Polynesia"), located in Faa'a, Tahiti. It is a small university of around 2,000 students. Luise Peltzer, former minister of culture of French Polynesia has been elected president of the University for five years. There are about sixty researchers at the university, including physicists Pascal Ortega (lightning studies) and Alessio Guarino (nonlinear physics). In the Human Sciences department, sociologist Laura Schuft deserves mention for her study on the integration of mainland French workers in Tahiti. Sociologist Bruno Saura has published several studies about the evolution of Tahitian society.

[edit] Famous people of French Polynesia

• Marco Namouro, writer (1889-1968)
• Henri Hiro, poet, dramatist (1940-1990)
• Célestine Hitiura Vaite, writer (born 1966)

[edit] Miscellaneous topics

French Polynesia has one of the lowest crime rates within France and its territories. However, petty crime, such as pickpocketing and purse snatching, occurs.

Medical treatment is generally good on the major islands, but is limited in areas that are more remote or less/sparsly populated. Patients with emergencies or with serious illnesses are often referred to facilities on Tahiti for treatment. In Papeete, the capital of Tahiti, two major hospitals as well as several private clinics provide 24-hour medical service. Serious medical problems requiring hospitalization or medical evacuation can cost thousands of dollars. Doctors and hospitals often expect immediate cash payment for health services.

As an overseas territory of France, defence and law-enforcement are provided by the French Forces (Army, Navy, Air Force) and Gendarmerie.

[edit] See also

• Communications in French Polynesia
• Universite de la Polynesie Francaise, University of French Polynesia
• French overseas departments and territories
• Administrative divisions of France
• Islands controlled by France in the Indian and Pacific oceans
• Music of French Polynesia
• Conseil du Scoutisme polynésien
• Nuclear-free zone
• Moruroa

[edit] External links

Find more information on French Polynesia by searching Wikipedia's sister projects
	Dictionary definitions from Wiktionary
	Textbooks from Wikibooks
	Quotations from Wikiquote
	Source texts from Wikisource
	Images and media from Commons
	News stories from Wikinews
	Learning resources from Wikiversity

Government

• Government of French Polynesia
• Presidency of French Polynesia
• subdivisions administratives of French Polynesia
• South Seas island guide

Religion

• Baha'i Center

History

• History of French Polynesia

Geographic locale

v • d • e Polynesia Polynesian triangle Austral Islands · Cook Islands · Easter Island · Gambier Islands · Hawaiian Islands · Kermadec Islands · Loyalty Islands · Marquesas · New Zealand · Pitcairn Islands · Sala y Gómez · Samoan Islands · Society Islands · Tokelau · Tonga · Tuamotus · Tuvalu · Wallis and Futuna Islands Polynesian outliers Anuta · Emae · Kapingamarangi · Mele · Nuguria · Nukumanu · Nukuoro · Ontong Java · Pileni · Rennell · Sikaiana · Takuu · Tikopia v • d • e Countries and territories of Oceania Australia Australia · Christmas Island · Cocos (Keeling) Islands · Norfolk Island Melanesia Fiji · New Caledonia · Papua New Guinea · Solomon Islands · Vanuatu Micronesia Federated States of Micronesia · Guam · Kiribati · Marshall Islands · Nauru · Northern Mariana Islands · Palau Polynesia American Samoa · Clipperton Island · Cook Islands · French Polynesia · New Zealand · Niue · Pitcairn · Samoa · Tokelau · Tonga · Tuvalu · Wallis and Futuna

v • d • e Overseas departments and territories of France
Overseas departments1	French Guiana · Guadeloupe · Martinique · Réunion
Overseas collectivities	French Polynesia · Mayotte2 · Saint Barthelemy · Saint Martin · Saint Pierre and Miquelon · Wallis and Futuna
Special status	New Caledonia
Uninhabited lands	Clipperton Island French Southern and Antarctic Lands  (Amsterdam Island • Saint-Paul Island • Crozet Islands • Kerguelen Islands • Adélie Land Scattered islands in the Indian Ocean:  Bassas da India3 • Europa Island3 • Glorioso Islands2, 3, 4 • Juan de Nova Island3 • Tromelin Island5)
1 Also known as overseas regions • 2 claimed by Comoros • 3 claimed by Madagascar • 4 claimed by Seychelles • 5 claimed by Mauritius

Coordinates: 17°32′S 149°34′W