About French Polynesia:
Introduction
Geography
Economy
Politics
Demographics
Religion
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French Polynesia
French Polynesia is a French overseas collectivity in the southern Pacific Ocean. It is made up of several groups of Polynesian islands, the most famous islands being Bora Bora for its beauty, and Tahiti, which is also the most populous island and the seat of the capital (Papeete).
Geography
There are round 130 islands in French Polynesia, for 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.
The region is made up of six groups of islands:
-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 and Bora Bora)
-Tuamotu Archipelago
Aside from Tahiti and Bora Bora, some other important atolls, islands, and island groups in French Polynesia are: Ahe, Hiva `Oa, Huahine, Maiao, Maupiti, Mehetia, Moorea, Nuku Hiva, Raiatea, Tahaa, Tetiaroa, Tubuai, and Tupai.
Economy
The GDP of French Polynesia in 2006 was 5.65 billion US dollars at market exchange rates, the fifth-largest economy in Oceania after Australia, New Zealand, Hawaii, and New Caledonia.
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.
The legal tender of French Polynesia is the CFP Franc.
Agriculture: coconuts, vanilla, vegetables, fruits.
Natural resources: timber, fish, cobalt.
Politics
Politics of French Polynesia takes place in a framework of a parliamentary representative democratic French overseas collectivity, whereby the President of French Polynesia is the head of government, and of a multi-party system. Executive power is exercised by the government. Legislative power is vested in both the government and the Assembly of French Polynesia (the territorial assembly).
Demographics
Total population on January 1, 2009 was 264,000 inhabitants, up from 259,596 at the August 2007 census. At the 2007 census, 68.6% of the population of French Polynesia lived on the island of Tahiti alone. The urban area of Papeete, the capital city, has 131,695 inhabitants.
Languages
French is the official language of French Polynesia. At the 2007 census, among the population whose age was 15 and older, 68.5% of people reported that the language they speak the most at home is French, 29.9% reported that the language they speak the most at home is any of the Polynesian languages (four-fifth of which Tahitian), 1.0% reported a Chinese language (half of which Hakka), and 0.6% another language.
Religion
Christianity is the main religion of the islands, a majority belonging to various Protestant churches and a large minority being Roman Catholic.
