French Polynesia

Polynésie française French Polynesia
Overseas collectivity of ‌France


Motto Tahiti Nui Mare'are'a Liberté, Égalité, Fraternité
Anthem La Marseillaise


Region	Polynesia

Capital	Papeete

Status	Overseas collectivity
President of France
- From 2007	Nicolas Sarkozy
President of French Polynesia
- From 2009	Gaston Tong Sang

Legislature	Assembly

History
- July 22, 1957	Established
- March 28, 2003	Overseas collectivity

Area	4,167 km²

Population
- 2010	267,000
Density	64/km²

Currency	CFP franc

French Union
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The French Polynesia is an overseas collectivity of France located in the Pacific Ocean (₳|₩). The constitutional status as an overseas collectivity was introduced in 2003 and remains unchanged, however in 2004 it also received the designation as an overseas country.

Background

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. In recent years, French Polynesia's autonomy has been considerably expanded.^[1]

Economy

Since 1962, when France stationed military personnel in the region, French Polynesia has changed from a subsistence agricultural economy to one in which a high proportion of the work force is either employed by the military or supports the tourist industry. With the halt of French nuclear testing in 1996, the military contribution to the economy fell sharply. Tourism accounts for about one-fourth of GDP and is a primary source of hard currency earnings. Other sources of income are pearl farming and deep-sea commercial fishing. The small manufacturing sector primarily processes agricultural products. The territory benefits substantially from development agreements with France aimed principally at creating new businesses and strengthening social services.^[2]