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| Polynésie française | ||||||
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| Motto: "Tahiti Nui Mare\'are\'a" "Liberté, Égalité, Fraternité" |
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| Anthem: La Marseillaise |
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| Capital | Papeete | |||||
| Largest city | Faaa | |||||
| Official languages | French, Tahitian | |||||
| Government | Dependent territory | |||||
| - | President of France | Nicolas Sarkozy | ||||
| - | President of French Polynesia | Gaston Flosse |
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| - | High Commissioner of the Republic | Anne Boquet | ||||
| Overseas collectivity of France | ||||||
| - | protectorate | 1842 | ||||
| - | Overseas territory | 1946 | ||||
| - | overseas collectivity | 2004 | ||||
| Area | ||||||
| - | Total | 4,167 km² (173rd) 1,609 sq mi |
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| - | Water (%) | 12 | ||||
| Population | ||||||
| - | Aug. 2007 census | 259,596(French) Institut Statistique de Polynésie Française (ISPF). Recensement de la population 2007 (PDF). Retrieved on 2007-12-02. (176th) | ||||
| - | Density | 62/km² (130th) 166/sq mi |
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| GDP (PPP) | 2003 estimate | |||||
| - | Total | $4.58 billion (not ranked) | ||||
| - | Per capita | $17,5001 (not ranked) | ||||
| HDI (n/a) | n/a (n/a) (n/a) | |||||
| Currency | CFP franc (XPF) |
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| Time zone | (UTC-10) | |||||
| Internet TLD | .pf | |||||
| Calling code | +689 | |||||
| 1 | 2003 estimate. | |||||
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(incl. overseas regions) |
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Others in Overseas France Overseas collectivities |
The French frigate Floréal, stationed in Bora Bora lagoon.
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.
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The French Polynesian island groups do not share a common history before the establishment of the French protectorate in 1889. The first French Polynesian islands to be settled by Polynesians were the Marquesas Islands in AD 300 and the Society Islands in AD 800. The Polynesians were organized in petty chieftainships. Ganse, Alexander. History of Polynesia, before 1797. Retrieved on 2007-10-20.
European discovery began in 1521 when the Portuguese explorer Ferdinand Magellan sighted Pukapuka in the Tuamotu Archipelago. Dutchman Jacob Roggeveen discovered Bora Bora in the Society Islands in 1722, and the British explorer Samuel Wallis visited Tahiti in 1767. The French explorer Louis Antoine de Bougainville visited Tahiti in 1768, while the British explorer James Cook visited in 1769. Christian missions began with Spanish priests who stayed in Tahiti for a year from 1774; Protestants from the London Missionary Society settled permanently in Polynesia in 1797. History of French Polynesia. History of Nations. Retrieved on 2007-10-20.
King Pomare II of Tahiti was forced to flee to Moorea in 1803; he and his subjects were converted to Protestantism in 1812. French Catholic missionaries arrived on Tahiti in 1834; their expulsion in 1836 caused France to send a gunboat in 1838. In 1842, Tahiti and Tahuata were declared a French protectorate, to allow Catholic missionaries to work undisturbed. The capital of Papeete was founded in 1843. In 1880, France annexed Tahiti, changing the status from that of a protectorate to that of a colony. Ganse, Alexander. History of French Polynesia, 1797 to 1889. Retrieved on 2007-10-20.
In the 1880s, France claimed the Tuamotu Archipelago, which formerly belonged to the Palmer dynasty, without formally annexing it. Having declared a protectorate over Tahuatu in 1842, the French regarded the entire Marquesas Islands as French. In 1885, France appointed a governor and established a general council, thus giving it the proper administration for a colony. The islands of Rimatara and Rurutu unsuccessfully lobbied for British protection in 1888, so in 1889 they were annexed by France. Postage stamps were first issued in the colony in 1892. The first official name for the colony was Etablissements De L\'Oceanie (Settlements in Oceania); in 1903 the general council was changed to an advisory council and the colony\'s name was changed to Etablissements Francaises De L\'Oceanie (French Settlements in Oceania).Ganse, Alexander. History of French Polynesia, 1889 to 1918. Retrieved on 2007-10-20.
In 1940 the administration of French Polynesia recognised the Free French Forces and many Polynesians served in World War II. Unknown at the time to French and Polynesians, the Konoe Cabinet in Imperial Japan on September 16, 1940 included French Polynesia among the many territories which were to become Japanese possessions in the post-war world The Japanese claim to the French Pacific islands, along with many other vast territories, appears in the September 16, 1940, "Sphere of survival for the Establishment of a New Order in Greater East Asia by Imperial Japan", published in 1955 by Japan\'s Foreign Ministry as part of the two-volume "Chronology and major documents of Diplomacy of Japan 1840-1945" - here quoted from "Interview with Tetsuzo Fuwa: Japan\'s War: History of Expansionism", Japan Press Service, July 2007 - though in the course of the war in the Pacific the Japanese were not able to launch an actual invasion of the French islands.
In 1946, Polynesians were granted French citizenship and the islands\' status was changed to an overseas territory; the islands\' name was changed in 1957 to Polynésie Française (French Polynesia). In 1962, France\'s early nuclear testing ground of Algeria became independent and the Mururoa Atoll in the Tuamotu Archipelago was selected as the new testing site; tests were conducted underground after 1974.Ganse, Alexander. History of Polynesia, 1939 to 1977. Retrieved on 2007-10-20.In 1977, French Polynesia was granted partial internal autonomy; in 1984, the autonomy was extended. French Polynesia became a full overseas collectivity of France in 2004. Ganse, Alexander. History of French Polynesia, 1977 to present. Retrieved on 2007-10-20.
In September 1995, France stirred up widespread protests by resuming nuclear testing at Fangataufa atoll after a three-year moratorium. The last test was on January 27, 1996. On January 29, 1996, France announced it would accede to the Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty, and no longer test nuclear weapons.Whitney, Craig R. "France Ending Nuclear Tests That Caused Broad Protests", New York Times, 30 January 1996. Retrieved on 2007-10-20.
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.
On September 14, 2007, the pro-independence leader Oscar Temaru, 63, was elected president of French Polynesia for the 3rd time in 3 years (with 27 of 44 votes cast in Tahiti assembly).BBC NEWS, French Polynesia gets new leader He replaced former President Gaston Tong Sang, opposed to independence, who lost a no-confidence vote in the 31 August parliament after the longtime former president of French Polynesia, Gaston Flosse, hitherto opposed to independence, sided with his long ennemy Oscar Temaru to topple the government of Gaston Tong Sang. Oscar Temaru, however, has no stable majority in the Assembly of French Polynesia, and new elections are scheduled before the end of 2007 to solve the current political crisis.
Despite a local assembly and government, French Polynesia is not in a free association with France, like the Cook Islands with New Zealand or Puerto Rico with the United States. As a French 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).
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.
French Polynesians vote in the French presidential elections and at the 2007 French presidential election, in which the pro-independence leader Oscar Temaru openly called to vote for the Socialist candidate Ségolène Royal while the parties opposed to independence generally supported the center-right candidate Nicolas Sarkozy, the turnout in French Polynesia was 69.12% in the first round of the election and 74.67% in the second round. French Polynesians voters placed Nicolas Sarkozy ahead of Ségolène Royal in both rounds of the election (2nd round: Nicolas Sarkozy 51.9%; Ségolène Royal 48.1%).(French) Minister of the Interior, Government of France. POLYNESIE FRANCAISE (987) (résultats officiels). Retrieved on 2007-09-14.
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.
French Polynesia has five administrative subdivisions (French: subdivisions administratives):
Map 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:
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.
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.
Total population at the August 2007 census was 259,596 inhabitants. At the November 2002 census, 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.(French) Institut Statistique de Polynésie Française (ISPF). POP4a - Population totale par lieu de naissance selon le sexe et l\'âge quinquennal (XLS). Retrieved on 2007-06-23. According to unofficial data, 83% of people are Polynesian, 12% white, and 5% East Asian (mainly Chinese and Vietnamese).[citation needed] At the 2007 census, 68.6% of the population of French Polynesia lived in the island of Tahiti alone. The urban area of Papeete, the capital city, has 131,695 inhabitants (2007 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." 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.(French) Institut Statistique de Polynésie Française (ISPF). LAN1a - Population de 14 ans et plus par langue la plus utilisée en famille selon le sexe et l\'âge quinquennal (XLS). Retrieved on 2007-06-23. 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.(French) Institut Statistique de Polynésie Française (ISPF). LAN3a : Population de 14 ans et plus par connaissance des langues selon le sexe et l\'âge quinquennal (XLS). Retrieved on 2007-06-23.
Christianity is the main religion of the islands, a majority (54%) belonging to various Protestant churches and a large minority (30%) being Roman Catholic.
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]
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.
Charles Darwin visited French Polynesia on his five year trip around the world. PDF file of his journal
Moorea baie cook.JPG
Baie de Cook in Moorea |
Bora-Bora.png
Mont Otemanu in Bora-Bora |
Îles Gambier image satellite.jpg
Satellite view of the Iles Gambier |
Plage.sable.noir.Tahiti.JPG
Black sand beach in Tahiti |
Mooreamotu766.jpg
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Fakarava-ponton-rotoava.jpg
Fakarava lagoon |
HivaOa BaieDesTraitres 20061110.jpg
Baie des traîtres, Hiva `Oa |
Présidence.Papeete.JPG
Presidence of the Government (Papeete) |
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Hotelhibiscus1.jpg
Bungalows of Hôtel Hibiscus, Hauru Point, Moorea |
Plage de Marita, Bora Bora |
Bora-bora from air.jpg
Bora Bora from the air |
Haut commissariat Papeete.JPG
High Commissionership of the Republic (Papeete) |
Polynesia Tahiti Tautira.JPG
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Paul Gauguin 056.jpg
Tahitian women on the beach, by Paul Gauguin (1891) |
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Sunrise over Moorea |
Borabora Tahaa Raiatea.jpg
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Polynesia Tahiti iti beach.jpg
Black sand beach, Tahiti |
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| Austronesian-speaking countries and territories | |
|---|---|
| Formosan | Taiwan |
| Malayo-Polynesian | American Samoa • Brunei • Burma • Cambodia • Christmas Island • Cocos (Keeling) Islands • Cook Islands • Easter Island • East Timor • Fiji • French Polynesia • Guam • Hainan • Hawaii • Indonesia • Kiribati • Madagascar • Malaysia • Marshall Islands • FS Micronesia • Nauru • New Caledonia • New Zealand • Niue • Northern Mariana Islands • Orchid Island • Palau • Papua New Guinea • Patani • Philippines • Samoa • Singapore • Solomon Islands • Suriname • Tokelau • Tonga • Tuvalu • Vanuatu • Vietnam • Wallis and Futuna |
Overseas departments and territories of France  | |
|---|---|
| Overseas departments1 | French Guiana · Guadeloupe · Martinique · Réunion |
| Overseas collectivities | French Polynesia · Mayotte2 · Saint Barthélemy · Saint Martin · Saint Pierre and Miquelon · Wallis and Futuna |
| Special status | New Caledonia |
| Uninhabited lands | Clipperton Island · French Southern and Antarctic Lands (Île Amsterdam • Île Saint-Paul • 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. | |
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