French Polynesia

From Free net encyclopedia

{{Infobox_Country |native_name = Polynésie française
Porinetia Farani |common_name = French Polynesia |image_flag = Flag of French Polynesia.svg |image_coat = French Polynesia COA.png |image_map = Frenchpolynesia location map.JPG |national_motto = Tahiti Nui Mare'are'a |national_anthem = La Marseillaise |official_languages = French, Tahitian |capital = Papeete |latd= |latm= |latNS= |longd= |longm= |longEW= |largest_city = Papeete |government_type = Dependent territory |leader_titles = President of F.P. |leader_names = Oscar Temaru |area_rank = ~164th |area_magnitude = 1 E9 |area= 4,167 |areami²= 1,609 |percent_water = 12 |population_estimate = 256,200 |population_estimate_rank = 183rd |population_estimate_year = January 2006 |population_census = 245,405 |population_census_year = November 2002 |population_density = 65 |population_densitymi² = 168 |population_density_rank = ~104th |GDP_PPP = $4.58 billion |GDP_PPP_rank = 162nd |GDP_PPP_year= 2003 |GDP_PPP_per_capita = $17,500 (2003 est.) |GDP_PPP_per_capita_rank = 59th |sovereignty_type = Overseas territory |established_events = Bastille Day |established_dates =
14 July 1789 |HDI = n/a |HDI_rank = n/a |HDI_year = n/a |HDI_category = n/a |currency = CFP franc |currency_code = XPF |country_code = |time_zone = |utc_offset = +10 |time_zone_DST = |utc_offset_DST = |cctld = .pf |calling_code = 689 |footnotes = }}

French Polynesia (French: Polynésie française, Tahitian: Porinetia Farani) is a French "overseas collectivity" (French: collectivité d'outre-mer, or COM) with the particular designation of "overseas country" (French: pays d'outre-mer, or POM) 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 is administered from French Polynesia.

Contents

[edit]

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 country" to underline the large autonomy of the territory.

[edit]

History

France annexed various Polynesian island groups during the nineteenth century.

French Polynesia is located in an area of high seismic activity. 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 27th, 1996. On January 29th, 1996, France announced it would accede to the Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty, and no longer test nuclear weapons.

[edit]

Politics

Main article: Politics of French Polynesia

[edit]

Administrative divisions

French Polynesia has 5 administrative subdivisions (French: subdivisions administratives):

Image:French Polynesia map.jpg

[edit]

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:

Aside from Tahiti, important atolls and islands, and island groups in French Polynesia include Bora Bora, Hiva `Oa, Huahine, Maiao, Maupiti, Mehetia, Moorea, Nuku Hiva, Raiatea, Tahaa, Tetiaroa, Tubuai, and Tupai.

[edit]

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 currency of French Polynesia is the CFP franc; many merchants have been reported to accept other currencies very readily, but many tourists have been disappointed and inconvenienced through assuming they can use US dollars, etc. Few merchants actually wish to bother to calculate the current exchange rate and then make the foreign exchange at a bank.

[edit]

Demographics

Main article: Demographics of French Polynesia

Total population at the 2002 census was 245,405 inhabitants, 83% of whom are Polynesian, 12% Caucasian, and 5% Eastern Asian (mainly Chinese). In 2002, 69% of the population of French Polynesia lived in the island of Tahiti alone. The urban area of Papeete, the capital city, has 127,635 inhabitants (2002 census).

[edit]

Transport

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.

[edit]

Education

Education is also provided by France. French Polynesia has a University, the Université de la Polynésie Française (UPF, "University of French Polynesia"), located in Faa'a, Tahiti. It is a small university counting around 2,000 students. Luise Peltzer, former minister of culture of French Polynesia has been elected president of the University for 5 years. There are about 60 researchers at the university, including physicists Pascal Ortega (lightning studies) and Alessio Guarino (nonlinear physics). In the Human Sciences department, sociologist Laura Schuft deserves to be mentioned for her study on the integration of mainland French workers in Tahiti.

[edit]

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 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.

[edit]

See also

[edit]

External links

Template:Polynesia

Countries and territories of Oceania
Image:Australia.png Australia : Australia · Norfolk Island
Image:Melanesia.png Melanesia : East Timor · Fiji · Maluku Islands & Western New Guinea (part of Indonesia) · New Caledonia · Papua New Guinea · Solomon Islands · Vanuatu
Image:Micronesia.png Micronesia : Guam · Kiribati · Marshall Islands · Northern Mariana Islands · Federated States of Micronesia · Nauru · Palau
Image:Polynesia.png Polynesia : American Samoa · Cook Islands · French Polynesia · Hawaii · New Zealand · Niue · Pitcairn · Samoa · Tokelau · Tonga · Tuvalu · Wallis and Futuna
zh-min-nan:Hoat-kok Polynésie

ca:Polinèsia Francesa da:Fransk Polynesien de:Französisch-Polynesien et:Prantsuse Polüneesia el:Γαλλική Πολυνησία es:Polinesia Francesa eo:Franca Polinezio fr:Polynésie française gl:Polinesia Francesa - Polynésie française ko:프랑스령 폴리네시아 hr:Francuska Polinezija io:Franca Polinezia id:Polinesia Perancis is:Franska Pólýnesía it:Polinesia francese he:פולינזיה הצרפתית lt:Prancūzijos Polinezija hu:Francia Polinézia nl:Frans-Polynesië ja:フランス領ポリネシア no:Fransk Polynesia pl:Polinezja Francuska pt:Polinésia Francesa ru:Французская Полинезия sh:Francuska Polinezija sk:Francúzska Polynézia sr:Француска Полинезија fi:Ranskan Polynesia sv:Franska Polynesien tr:Fransız Polinezyası zh:法屬玻里尼西亞

Retrieved from "http://www.netipedia.com/index.php/French_Polynesia"