Polynésie française French Polynesia
Flag of French Polynesia Overseas collectivity flag Coat of arms
Motto "Tahiti Nui Mare'are'a" "Liberté, Égalité, Fraternité"
Anthem La Marseillaise
Location of French Polynesia
Capital (and largest city)		Papeete
Official languages		French
Government		Dependent territory
-	President of France	Nicolas Sarkozy
-	President of French Polynesia	Oscar Temaru
-	High Commissioner of the Republic	Anne Boquet
Overseas dependency
-	Bastille Day	14 July (1789)
-	Water (%)	12
Population
-	Jan. 2007 estimate	259,800[1] (176th)
-	Nov. 2002 census	245,516[2]
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)
Time zone		(UTC-10)
Internet TLD		.pf
Calling code		+689
1	2003 estimate.
2

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.

History

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. ^[3]

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. ^[3][4]

King Pomare II of Tahiti was forced to flea 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. ^[5]

In the 1880es, France claimed the Tuamotu Archipelago, which formerly belonged to the Palmer dynasty, without formerly annexing it. Having declared a protectorate over Tahuatu in 1842, the French regarded the entire MarquesasIslands 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).^[6]

In 1940 the administration of French Polynesia recognised the Free French Forces and many Polynesians served in World War II. 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 Polynesie Francaise (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.^[7]In 1977, French Polynesia was granted partial internal autonomy; in 1984, the autonomy was extended. French Polynesia became a full overseas department of France in 2004. ^[4][8]

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.^[9]

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.

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).^[10] 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%).^[11]

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 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)

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, 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 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.

Demographics

Main article: Demographics of French Polynesia

Total population at the November 2002 census was 245,516 inhabitants.^[11] 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.^[12] 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.^[13] 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.^[14] 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.^[15]

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 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[https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/fp.html#Trans]

Famous people of French Polynesia

• Henri Hiro (1944-1991), Film director & script writer, poet, ecologist, activist
• Marco Namouro, writer (1889-1968)
• 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

Baie de Cook in Moorea	Mont Otemanu in Bora-Bora	Satellite view of the Iles Gambier	Black sand beach in Tahiti
Motu Tiahura, Moorea	Fakarava lagoon	Baie des traîtres, Hiva `Oa	Presidence of the Government (Papeete)
Mangareva	Bungalows of Hôtel Hibiscus, Hauru Point, Moorea	Plage de Marita, Bora Bora	Bora Bora from the air
High Commissionership of the Republic (Papeete)	Tahiti	Tahitian women on the beach, by Paul Gauguin (1891)	Bora Bora
Sunrise over Moorea	Bora Bora, Tahaa and Raiatea from space	Black sand beach, Tahiti

References

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

Geographic locale

•  • [ e] Polynesia Polynesian triangle: Austral Islands Cook Islands Easter Island Gambier Islands Hawaiian Islands Loyalty Islands Marquesas New Zealand Pitcairn Islands Sala y Gmez Samoan Islands Society Islands Tokelau Tonga Tuamotus Tuvalu Wallis and Futuna Islands Polynesian outliers and peripheral cultures: Anuta Emae Futuna Kapingamarangi Mele Nuguria Nukumanu Nukuoro Ontong Java Ouva Pileni Rennell Rotuma Sikaiana Takuu Tikopia  •  • [ e] Countries and territories of Oceania Australasia Australia Christmas Island Cocos (Keeling) Islands New Zealand1 Norfolk Island Melanesia Fiji Indonesia (Maluku Islands) New Caledonia Papua New Guinea2 Solomon Islands Vanuatu Micronesia Federated States of Micronesia Guam Kiribati Marshall Islands Nauru Northern Mariana Islands Palau Polynesia American Samoa Cook Islands French Polynesia Niue Pitcairn Samoa Tokelau Tonga Tuvalu Wallis and Futuna 1 Often included in Polynesia 2 New Guinea is often included in Australasia

•  • [ e] Overseas departments and territories of France
Overseas departments1	French Guiana Guadeloupe Martinique Runion
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 • Adlie 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: