French Polynesia (French: Polynésie française, Tahitian: Porinehia Farani) is a French "overseas country" (French: pays d'outre-mer, or POM) in the southern Pacific Ocean. These are manufactured higher of many groups of Polynesian islands, the best known island existence Tahiti in the Society Islands group, which is also a virtually all thickly settled isl&, and a seat of the capital of the territory (Papeete).

Administration

Between 1946 and 2003, French Polynesia had a status of an overseas territory (French: territoire d'outre-mer, or TOM). Around 2003 and beginning of 2004 it was briefly an overseas collectivity (French: collectivité d'outre-mer, or COM). A freshly status of overseas "country" gives the big autonomy to the territory, when remaining section of the French Republic.

History
Independent article: History of French Polynesia

France annexed various Polynesian island groups in a period of the 19th century.

French Polynesia is located in an front yard of high seismal activity. Within September 1995, France stirred up far flung protests by resuming nuclear researching on the Mururoa atoll after a 3-season moratorium. A tests were suspended inside January 1996, as France acceded a Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty.

Politics
Independent article: Politics of French Polynesia

Administrative divisions

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

Windward Islands (French: (les) Îles du Vent or officially la section adminstrative des Îles du Vent) (them subdivisions administratives Windward Islands and Leeward Islands are part of the Society Islands) Leeward Islands (French: (les) Îles Sous-le-Vent or officially la section adminstrative des Îles Sous-le-Vent) (them subdivisions administratives Windward Islands and Leeward Islands are part of the Society Islands) Marquesas Islands (French: (les) (Îles) Marquises or officially la section administrative des (Îles) Marquises) Austral Islands (French: (les) (Îles) Australes or officially la section administrative des (Îles) Australes) (including a Bass Islands) Tuamotu-Gambier (French: (les) (Îles) Tuamotu-Gambier or officially la section administrative des (Îles) Tuamotu-Gambier) (a Tuamotus and the Gambier Islands)

Geography
Independent article: Geography of French Polynesia

A islands of French Polynesia have a number acreage of 4,167 klick² (1,622 sq. miles) scattered all over 2,500,000 kilometre² (965,255 sq. miles) of ocean.

These are processed higher of many groups of islands, a big & virtually all populated of which is Tahiti.

A island groups come: 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 either Tahiti, significant atolls & islands, and island groups within French Polynesia include Bora Bora, Hiva `Oa, Huahine, Maiao, Maupiti, Mehetia, Moorea, Nuku Hiva, Raiatea, Tahaa, Tetiaroa, Tubuai, and Tupai.

Economy
Independent article: Economy of French Polynesia

French Polynesia has a moderately developed economy, which is contingent imported goods, touristry & the fiscal assistance of mainland France. Tourer facilities come swell developed & come available on the major islands.

A legal caring currency of French Polynesia is the CFP franc; numeroUnited states of america merchandiser develop been reported to assume more currencies super readily, however many holidaymaker develop been disappointed & inconvenienced in assuming it may utilise US dollars, etc. Couple merchandiser actually wish to bother to calculate the todays rate of exchange and so produce a foreign exchange at a bank.

Demographics
Independent article: Demographics of French Polynesia

Aggregate people at a 2002 nosecount was 245,405 indweller, 83% of whom come Polynesian, 12% Caucasian, & 5% Eastern Asian (chiefly Chinese). Within 2002, 69% of the people of French Polynesia sleep in the island of Tahiti alone. A populated area of Papeete, the capital city, has 127,635 dweller (2002 nose count).

Transport
Independent article: Transportation in French Polynesia''

When virtually all major roads come paved & easily-maintained, numerous secondary roads are not. Traffic is brisken & completely types of vehicles & footer jockey for space in narrow streets. Crossing come marked & a law takes that automotive vehicle prevent for walker; yet, this is non universally done. Tourer should exercise caution after camping, particularly when asleep.

Education

Education is too provided by France. French Polynesia has a University, the Université de la Polynésie Française (UPF, "University of French Polynesia"), located in Faa'a, Tahiti. These are the little university counting in the area of 2,000 students. Luise Peltzer, previous minister of culture of French Polynesia has been elected president of the University for Five years. There are astir Sixty investigator at a university, including physicists Pascal Ortega (lightning studies) & Alessio Guarino (nonlinear physics). In the Individual Sciences department, sociologist Laura Schuft deserves to be mentioned for her survey on the integration of mainland French workers in Tahiti.

Miscellaneous topics

French Polynesia has one of a last-place crime rates in France & its territories. All the same, petty crime, like pickpocketing & purse snatching, occurs.

Medical professional assistance is usually proficient on the major even islands, however is limited inside areas that come supplementary remote or less populated. Patients by having emergencies or even using good unwellness come typically referred to facilities in Tahiti for professional assistance. Within Papeete, the capital of Tahiti, 2 major hospitals besides when many personal clinics provide Two dozen-hour medical service. Good medical problems requiring hospitalization or even medivac potty prices hundreds to thousands of dollars. Doctors & hospitals typically require quick cash payment for health services.

As an overseas territory of France, defence & law-enforcement come provided per French Forces (Army, Navy, Air Force) & Gendarmerie.