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French Polynesia Location : Oceania, archipelago in the South Pacific Ocean, about one-half of the way from South America to Australia
Capital City : Papeete
Curreny : Comptoirs Francais du Pacifique franc (XPF)
Languages Spoken : French (official), Tahitian (official)
Climate : tropical, but moderate
National Holiday : Bastille Day, 14 July (1789)
Background Information
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.
Geographical Note
includes five archipelagoes; Makatea in French Polynesia is one of the three great phosphate rock islands in the Pacific Ocean - the others are Banaba (Ocean Island) in Kiribati and Nauru
Economy
Since 1962, when France stationed military personnel in the region, French Polynesia has changed from a subsistence 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 substantially benefits from development agreements with France aimed principally at creating new businesses and strengthening social services.
Religions
Protestant 54%, Roman Catholic 30%, other 16%
Ports : Mataura, Papeete, Rikitea, Uturoa
International Disputes - Risks to travellers
: none
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French Polynesia
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