World Atlas: French Polynesia. On this page you can see the map, country flag and many detailed information about the people, history and economy of French Polynesia.
Here you can find online selected information about the geography, inhabitants, government, economy and history of French Polynesia. Included are selected statistics, an overview map and the detailed map of French Polynesia. But let's start with the flag of French Polynesia here:
French Polynesia - Overview:
What you should know about French Polynesia? Let's start with this: 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 halted in January 1996. In recent years, French Polynesia's autonomy has been considerably expanded.
Geography of French Polynesia
Where on the globe is French Polynesia? The location of this country is Oceania, five archipelagoes (Archipel des Tuamotu, Iles Gambier, Iles Marquises, Iles Tubuai, Society Islands) in the South Pacific Ocean about halfway between South America and Australia. Total area of French Polynesia is 4,167 sq km (118 islands and atolls; 67 are inhabited), of which 3,827 sq km is land. So this is quite a small country. How could we describe the terrain of the country? This way: mixture of rugged high islands and low islands with reefs. The lowest point of French Polynesia is Pacific Ocean 0 m, the highest point Mont Orohena 2,241 m. And the climate is tropical, but moderate.
Inhabitants of French Polynesia
Let's take a look how many people live in French Polynesia. The number is: 287,881 (July 2017 est.). So not so many people live here. Who lives here? Polynesian 78%, Chinese 12%, local French 6%, metropolitan French 4%. What are the languages in French Polynesia? French (official) 70%, Polynesian (official) 28.2%, other 1.8% (2012 est.). And the religions: Protestant 54%, Roman Catholic 30%, other 10%, no religion 6%. How old are the people in average? 31.9 years. We have to add that this number is the median - so one half of the people is older than this, one half is younger. And what is their life expectancy (at birth)? This: 77.4 years. Where the people live in French Polynesia? Here: the majority of the population lives in the Society Islands, one of five archipelagos that includes the most populous island - Tahiti - with approximately 70% of the nation's population. The major urban areas of French Polynesia are: Papeete (capital) 133,000 (2014).
Government and Economy of French Polynesia
The capital of French Polynesia is Papeete (located on Tahiti) and the government type parliamentary democracy (Assembly of French Polynesia); an overseas collectivity of France. Let's take a look at the administrative divisions - 5 administrative subdivisions (subdivisions administratives, singular - subdivision administrative): Iles Australes (Austral Islands), Iles du Vent (Windward Islands), Iles Marquises (Marquesas Islands), Iles Sous-le-Vent (Leeward Islands), Iles Tuamotu-Gambier; note - the Leeward Islands and the Windward Islands together make up the Society Islands (Iles de la Societe). Regarding the economy of French Polynesia, important industrial products are tourism, pearls, agricultural processing, handicrafts, phosphates. Important agricultural products are coconuts, vanilla, vegetables, fruits, coffee; poultry, beef, dairy products; fish. The most important export commodities are cultured pearls, coconut products, mother-of-pearl, vanilla, shark meat and the most important export partners are Japan 22.2%, Hong Kong 21.7%, Kyrgyzstan 16.8%, France 13.3%, US 12.6% (2016). The most important import commodities are fuels, foodstuffs, machinery and equipment and the most important import partners are France 28.5%, South Korea 10.7%, US 9%, NZ 7.8%, China 7.2%, Singapore 5.9% (2016). How rich is French Polynesia and how rich are people in this country? The most important number here is GDP per capita (PPP): $17,000 (2015 est.). This is quite good. Let's add that this means Gross Domestic Product per person, which is recalculated with respect to the relative cost of local goods and services. And one more important number - population below poverty line: 19.7% (2009 est.).