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'French Polynesia' (French: ''Polynésie française'', Tahitian: ''Pōrīnetia Farāni'') is a French overseas collectivity 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 was administered from French Polynesia until 2007.

Contents

Politics

Administration

Administrative divisions

Geography

Economy

Demographics

Languages

Religion

Transportation

Famous people of French Polynesia

Miscellaneous topics

See also

Gallery

References

External links

Politics

Main articles: 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. At present, the President of French Polynesia is Gaston Tang Song of the political party Tahoeraa Huiraatiraa.
French Polynesia also sends two deputies to the French National Assembly, one representing the Leeward Islands administrative subdivision, the Austral Islands administrative subdivision, the commune (municipality) of Moorea-Maiao, and the westernmost part of Tahiti (including the capital Papeete), and the other representing the central and eastern part of Tahiti, the Tuamotu-Gambier administrative division, and the Marquesas Islands administrative division. French Polynesia also sends one senator to the French Senate.
However, French Polynesia is not in a free association with France, like the Cook Islands with New Zealand or Puerto Rico with the United States. Qua overseas collectivity, the local government has no competence in justice, education, security and defense, directly provided and administered by the French State, the Gendarmerie and the French Military. The highest representant of the State in the territory is the High Commissioner of the Republic (French: ''Haut commissaire de la République'').

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 province (French: ''province d'outre-mer'', or POM), but without legal modification of its status.

Administrative divisions

Main articles: 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)

Geography

Main articles: 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, some other important atolls, islands, and island groups in French Polynesia are: Ahe, Bora Bora, Hiva `Oa, Huahine, Maiao, Maupiti, Mehetia, Moorea, Nuku Hiva, Raiatea, Tahaa, Tetiaroa, Tubuai, and Tupai.

Economy

Main articles: 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.

Demographics

Main articles: Demographics of French Polynesia

Total population at the November 2002 census was 245,516 inhabitants. 87.2% of people were born in French Polynesia, 9.5% were born in metropolitan France, 1.4% were born in overseas France outside of French Polynesia, and 1.9% were born in foreign countries.^[2] According to unofficial data, 83% of people are Polynesian, 12% white, and 5% East Asian (mainly Chinese and Vietnamese). At the 2002 census, 69.1% of the population of French Polynesia lived in the island of Tahiti alone.^[3] The urban area of Papeete, the capital city, has 127,635 inhabitants (2002 census).

Languages

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." At the 2002 census, among the population whose age was 14 and older, 65.0% of people reported that the language they speak the most at home is French, 33.4% reported that the language they speak the most at home is any of the Polynesian languages, 1.2% reported an East Asian language, and 0.4% another language.^[4] At the same census, 92.9% of people whose age was 14 or older reported that they could speak, read and write French, whereas only 4.8% reported that they had no knowledge of French.^[5]

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.

Transportation

Main articles: 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]

Famous people of French Polynesia

★ Marco Namouro, writer (1889-1968)

★ Henri Hiro, poet, dramatist (1940-1990)

★ Célestine Hitiura Vaite, writer (born 1966)

★ Ella Koon, model (born 1979)

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/sparsely 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.

See also

★ Communications in French Polynesia

★ Université de la Polynésie Française, 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

Gallery

References

1. Démographie : Sommaire Institut Statistique de Polynésie Française (ISPF)
2. POP4a - Population totale par lieu de naissance selon le sexe et l'âge quinquennal Institut Statistique de Polynésie Française (ISPF)
3. Tableau II – Population des communes et communes associées de Polynésie française Institut Statistique de Polynésie Française (ISPF)
4. LAN1a - Population de 14 ans et plus par langue la plus utilisée en famille selon le sexe et l'âge quinquennal Institut Statistique de Polynésie Française (ISPF)
5. LAN3a : Population de 14 ans et plus par connaissance des langues selon le sexe et l'âge quinquennal Institut Statistique de Polynésie Française (ISPF)

External links

'Tourism'

★ Official Tourism Website

★ Travel Guide
'Government'

★ Government of French Polynesia

★ Presidency of French Polynesia

★ ''Administrative Subdivisions'' of French Polynesia

★ South Seas island guide
'Religion'

★ Baha'i Center
'History'

★ History of French Polynesia