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Communications

Broadcast media [time series]

the publicly-owned French Overseas Network (RFO), which operates in France's overseas departments and territories, broadcasts on 2 television channels and 1 radio station; a government-owned TV station is operating; a small number of privately-owned radio stations also broadcast (2008)

Internet country code [time series]

.pf

Internet users (Internet hosts) [time series]

36,056 (2010) country comparison to the world: 95

Internet users [time series]

120,000 (2009) country comparison to the world: 154

Telecommunication systems (Telephone system) [time series]

general assessment: NA domestic: combined fixed and mobile-cellular density is roughly 90 per 100 persons international: country code - 689; satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Pacific Ocean) (2009)

Telephones - fixed lines (Telephones - main lines in use) [time series]

54,300 (2009) country comparison to the world: 158

Telephones - mobile cellular [time series]

208,300 (2009) country comparison to the world: 171

Economy

Agricultural products (Agriculture - products) [time series]

fish; coconuts, vanilla, vegetables, fruits, coffee; poultry, beef, dairy products

Debt - external [time series]

$NA

Economic overview (Economy - overview) [time series]

Since 1962, when France stationed military personnel in the region, French Polynesia has changed from a subsistence agricultural 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 benefits substantially from development agreements with France aimed principally at creating new businesses and strengthening social services.

Electricity - consumption [time series]

604.5 million kWh (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 155

Electricity - exports [time series]

0 kWh (2008 est.)

Electricity - imports [time series]

0 kWh (2008 est.)

Electricity - production [time series]

650 million kWh (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 154

Exchange rates [time series]

Comptoirs Francais du Pacifique francs (XPF) per US dollar - 87.59 (2007), 94.97 (2006), 95.89 (2005), 96.04 (2004), 105.66 (2003) note: pegged at the rate of 119.25 XPF to the euro

Exports [time series]

$211 million (2005 est.) country comparison to the world: 180

Exports - commodities [time series]

cultured pearls, coconut products, mother-of-pearl, vanilla, shark meat

GDP (official exchange rate) [time series]

$6.1 billion (2004)

Real GDP (purchasing power parity) (GDP (purchasing power parity)) [time series]

$4.718 billion (2004 est.) country comparison to the world: 163 $4.58 billion (2003 est.)

GDP - composition, by sector of origin (GDP - composition by sector) [time series]

agriculture: 3.5% industry: 20.4% services: 76.1% (2005)

Real GDP per capita (GDP - per capita (PPP)) [time series]

$18,000 (2004 est.) country comparison to the world: 66 $17,500 (2003 est.)

Real GDP growth rate (GDP - real growth rate) [time series]

2.7% (2005) country comparison to the world: 134 5.1% (2002)

Household income or consumption by percentage share [time series]

lowest 10%: NA% highest 10%: NA%

Imports [time series]

$1.706 billion (2005 est.) country comparison to the world: 156

Imports - commodities [time series]

fuels, foodstuffs, machinery and equipment

Industrial production growth rate [time series]

NA%

Industries [time series]

tourism, pearls, agricultural processing, handicrafts, phosphates

Inflation rate (consumer prices) [time series]

1.1% (2007) country comparison to the world: 22 1.1% (2006 est.)

Labor force [time series]

116,000 (2007) country comparison to the world: 180

Labor force - by occupation [time series]

agriculture: 13% industry: 19% services: 68% (2002)

Market value of publicly traded shares [time series]

$NA

Natural gas - consumption [time series]

0 cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 183

Natural gas - exports [time series]

0 cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 177

Natural gas - imports [time series]

0 cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 178

Natural gas - production [time series]

0 cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 194

Natural gas - proved reserves [time series]

0 cu m (1 January 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 177

Oil - consumption [time series]

7,000 bbl/day (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 159

Oil - exports [time series]

0 bbl/day (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 154

Oil - imports [time series]

6,701 bbl/day (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 148

Oil - production [time series]

0 bbl/day (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 173

Oil - proved reserves [time series]

0 bbl (1 January 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 178

Population below poverty line [time series]

NA%

Unemployment rate [time series]

11.7% (2005) country comparison to the world: 125

Geography

Area [time series]

total: 4,167 sq km (118 islands and atolls) country comparison to the world: 174 land: 3,827 sq km water: 340 sq km

Area - comparative [time series]

slightly less than one-third the size of Connecticut

Climate [time series]

tropical, but moderate

Coastline [time series]

2,525 km

Elevation (Elevation extremes) [time series]

lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m highest point: Mont Orohena 2,241 m

Environment - current issues [time series]

Geographic coordinates [time series]

15 00 S, 140 00 W

Geography - note [time series]

includes five archipelagoes (four volcanic, one coral); 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

Irrigated land [time series]

10 sq km (2003)

Land boundaries [time series]

0 km

Land use [time series]

arable land: 0.75% permanent crops: 5.5% other: 93.75% (2005)

Location [time series]

Oceania, archipelagoes in the South Pacific Ocean about half way between South America and Australia

Map references [time series]

Oceania

Maritime claims [time series]

territorial sea: 12 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm

Natural hazards [time series]

occasional cyclonic storms in January

Natural resources [time series]

timber, fish, cobalt, hydropower

Terrain [time series]

mixture of rugged high islands and low islands with reefs

Government

Administrative divisions [time series]

none (overseas lands of France); there are no first-order administrative divisions as defined by the US Government, but there are five archipelagic divisions named Archipel des Marquises, Archipel des Tuamotu, Archipel des Tubuai, Iles du Vent, Iles Sous-le-Vent

Capital [time series]

name: Papeete geographic coordinates: 17 32 S, 149 34 W time difference: UTC-10 (5 hours behind Washington, DC during Standard Time)

Constitution [time series]

4 October 1958 (French Constitution)

Country name [time series]

conventional long form: Overseas Lands of French Polynesia conventional short form: French Polynesia local long form: Pays d'outre-mer de la Polynesie Francaise local short form: Polynesie Francaise former: French Colony of Oceania

Dependency status [time series]

overseas lands of France; overseas territory of France from 1946-2004

Diplomatic representation from the US [time series]

none (overseas lands of France)

Diplomatic representation in the US [time series]

none (overseas lands of France)

Executive branch [time series]

chief of state: President Nicolas SARKOZY (since 16 May 2007), represented by High Commissioner of the Republic Adolphe COLRAT (since 7 July 2008); note - will be replaced in 2011 by Richard DIDIER head of government: President of French Polynesia Gaston Tong SANG (since 24 November 2009); President of the Territorial Assembly Oscar TEMARU (since 10 April 2010) cabinet: Council of Ministers; president submits a list of members of the Territorial Assembly for approval by them to serve as ministers (For more information visit theWorld Leaders website) elections: French president elected by popular vote for a five-year term; high commissioner appointed by the French president on the advice of the French Ministry of Interior; president of the territorial government and the president of the Territorial Assembly elected by the members of the assembly for five-year terms (no term limits)

Flag (Flag description) [time series]

two red horizontal bands encase a wide white band in a 1:2:1 ratio; centered on the white band is a disk with a blue and white wave pattern depicting the sea on the lower half and a gold and white ray pattern depicting the sun on the upper half; a stylized red, blue, and white ship rides on the wave pattern; the ship has a crew of five represented by five stars that symbolize the five island groups; red and white are traditional Polynesian colors note: similar to the red-white-red flag of Tahiti, the largest of the islands in French Polynesia, which has no emblem in the white band; the flag of France is used for official occasions

Government - note [time series]

under certain acts of France, French Polynesia has acquired autonomy in all areas except those relating to police and justice, monetary policy, tertiary education, immigration, and defense and foreign affairs; the duties of its president are fashioned after those of the French prime minister

Government type [time series]

Independence [time series]

none (overseas lands of France)

International organization participation [time series]

ITUC, PIF (associate member), SPC, UPU

Judicial branch [time series]

Court of Appeal or Cour d'Appel; Court of the First Instance or Tribunal de Premiere Instance; Court of Administrative Law or Tribunal Administratif

Legal system [time series]

the laws of France where applicable apply

Legislative branch [time series]

unicameral Territorial Assembly or Assemblee Territoriale (57 seats; members elected by popular vote to serve five-year terms) elections: last held on 27 January 2008 (first round) and 10 February 2008 (second round) (next to be held in 2013) election results: percent of vote by party - Our Home alliance 45.2%, Union for Democracy alliance 37.2%, Popular Rally (Tahoeraa Huiraatira) 17.2% other 0.5%; seats by party - Our Home alliance 27, Union for Democracy alliance 20, Popular Rally 10 note: two seats were elected to the French Senate on 21 September 2008 (next to be held in September 2014); results - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - UMP 1, independent 1; two seats were elected to the French National Assembly on 10-17 June 2007 (next to be held in 2012); results - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - UMP 2

National anthem(s) (National anthem) [time series]

name: "Ia Ora 'O Tahiti Nui" (Long Live Tahiti Nui) lyrics/music: Maeva BOUGES, Irmine TEHEI, Angele TEROROTUA, Johanna NOUVEAU, Patrick AMARU, Louis MAMATUI and Jean-Pierre CELESTIN note: adopted 1993; serves as a local anthem; as a territory of France, "La Marseillaise" is official (see France)

National holiday [time series]

Bastille Day, 14 July (1789)

Political parties (Political parties and leaders) [time series]

Alliance for a New Democracy or ADN(includes the parties The New Star and This Country is Yours); New Fatherland Party (Ai'a Api); Our Home alliance; People's Servant Party (Tavini Huiraatira); Popular Rally (Tahoeraa Huiraatira); Union for Democracy alliance or UPD

Political parties (Political pressure groups and leaders) [time series]

Suffrage [time series]

18 years of age; universal

Introduction

Background [time series]

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. In recent years, French Polynesia's autonomy has been considerably expanded.

Military

Manpower available for military service [time series]

males age 16-49: 81,794 (2010 est.)

Manpower fit for military service [time series]

males age 16-49: 66,451 females age 16-49: 65,306 (2010 est.)

Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually [time series]

male: 2,592 female: 2,481 (2010 est.)

Military - note [time series]

defense is the responsibility of France

Military and security forces (Military branches) [time series]

no regular military forces

People

Age structure [time series]

0-14 years: 24.3% (male 35,631/female 34,097) 15-64 years: 68.9% (male 102,537/female 95,317) 65 years and over: 6.8% (male 9,821/female 9,629) (2010 est.)

Birth rate [time series]

15.67 births/1,000 population (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 133

Death rate [time series]

4.8 deaths/1,000 population (July 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 193

Education expenditure (Education expenditures) [time series]

Ethnic groups [time series]

Polynesian 78%, Chinese 12%, local French 6%, metropolitan French 4%

HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate [time series]

HIV/AIDS - deaths [time series]

HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS [time series]

Infant mortality rate [time series]

total: 7.41 deaths/1,000 live births country comparison to the world: 165 male: 8.51 deaths/1,000 live births female: 6.26 deaths/1,000 live births (2010 est.)

Languages [time series]

French 61.1% (official), Polynesian 31.4% (official), Asian languages 1.2%, other 0.3%, unspecified 6% (2002 census)

Life expectancy at birth [time series]

total population: 76.91 years country comparison to the world: 64 male: 74.44 years female: 79.5 years (2010 est.)

Literacy [time series]

definition: age 14 and over can read and write total population: 98% male: 98% female: 98% (1977 est.)

Median age [time series]

total: 29.5 years male: 29.8 years female: 29.2 years (2010 est.)

Nationality [time series]

noun: French Polynesian(s) adjective: French Polynesian

Net migration rate [time series]

2.69 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 30

Population [time series]

291,000 (July 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 179

Population growth rate [time series]

1.355% (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 92

Religions [time series]

Protestant 54%, Roman Catholic 30%, other 10%, no religion 6%

Sex ratio [time series]

at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.04 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1.07 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 1.02 male(s)/female total population: 1.06 male(s)/female (2010 est.)

Total fertility rate [time series]

1.89 children born/woman (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 145

Urbanization [time series]

urban population: 52% of total population (2008) rate of urbanization: 1.3% annual rate of change (2005-10 est.)

Transnational Issues

Disputes - international [time series]

none

Transportation

Airports [time series]

53 (2010) country comparison to the world: 90

Airports - with paved runways [time series]

total: 46 over 3,047 m: 2 1,524 to 2,437 m: 4 914 to 1,523 m: 33 under 914 m: 7 (2010)

Airports - with unpaved runways [time series]

total: 7 914 to 1,523 m: 3 under 914 m: 4 (2010)

Heliports [time series]

1 (2010)

Merchant marine [time series]

registered in other countries: 13 (Cambodia 1, France 12) (2010) country comparison to the world: 109

Ports (Ports and terminals) [time series]

Papeete

Roadways [time series]

total: 2,590 km country comparison to the world: 169 paved: 1,735 km unpaved: 855 km (1999)