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French Polynesia
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French Polynesia (French: Polynésie
française, Tahitian: Porinetia Farani) is a
French "overseas collectivity" (French:
collectivité d'outre-mer, or COM) 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).
History
Main article: History of French Polynesia
France annexed various Polynesian island groups
during the 19th century.
French Polynesia is located in an area of high
seismic activity. In September 1995, France
stirred up widespread protests by resuming
nuclear testing on the Mururoa atoll after a
three-year moratorium. The tests were suspended
in January 1996, as France acceded the
Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty.
Geography
Main article: Geography of French Polynesia
The islands of French Polynesia have a total
land area of 4,167 km² (1,622 sq. miles)
scattered over 2,500,000 km² (965,255 sq. miles)
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
Bora Bora, Hiva `Oa, Huahine, Maiao, Maupiti,
Mehetia, Moorea, Nuku Hiva, Raiatea, Tahaa,
Tetiaroa, Tubuai, and Tupai.
Demographics
Main article: Demographics of French Polynesia
Total population at the 2002 census was 245,405
inhabitants, 83% of whom are Polynesian, 12%
Caucasian, and 5% Eastern 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).
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Background:
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The French annexed various Polynesian island groups
during the 19th century. In September 1995, France
stirred up widespread protests by resuming nuclear
testing on the Mururoa atoll after a three-year
moratorium. The tests were suspended in January
1996. |
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Location:
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Oceania, archipelago in the South Pacific Ocean,
about one-half of the way from South America to
Australia |
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Geographic coordinates:
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15 00 S, 140 00 W
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Map references:
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Oceania |
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Area:
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total: 4,167 sq km (118 islands and atolls)
water: 507 sq km
land: 3,660 sq km |
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Area - comparative:
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slightly less than one-third the size of Connecticut
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Climate:
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tropical, but moderate |
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Terrain:
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mixture of rugged high islands and low islands with
reefs |
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Ethnic groups:
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Polynesian 78%, Chinese 12%, local French 6%,
metropolitan French 4% |
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Religions:
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Protestant 54%, Roman Catholic 30%, other 10%, no
religion 6% |
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Languages:
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French (official), Tahitian (official) |
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Currency:
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Comptoirs Francais du Pacifique franc (XPF); note -
may adopt the euro in 2003 |
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Currency code:
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XPF |
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Exchange rates:
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Comptoirs Francais du Pacifique francs (XPF) per US
dollar - 135.04 (January 2002), 133.26 (2001),
129.44 (2000), 111.93 (1999), 107.25 (1998), 106.11
(1997); note - pegged at the rate of 119.25 XPF to
the euro |
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