French Polynesia

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.

The population is just over 260,000.

The capital is Papeete - on the island of Tahiti, the largest and most populated.

The currency is the CFP franc - not the euro.

French is the official language of French Polynesia. A law of 1996 states that "French is the official language, Tahitian and other Polynesian languages can be used." At the 2007 census, among the population of 15 and older, 68% of people reported that the language they speak the most at home is French.

Geography and administration

This is complex. 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. There are around 130 islands, in four groups The island groups are:

• Austral Islands, including the Bass Islands (sometimes considered as a separate group), one administrative subdivision
• Marquesas Islands, an administrative subdivision
• Society Islands (including Tahiti) - divided into the two administrative (and geographical) subdivisions, the Windward Islands and the Leeward Islands
• Tuamotu Archipelago plus the Gambier Islands (sometimes considered as a separate group), one administrative subdivision

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.

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