French Polynesia is the only overseas territory and country that France has. It is made up of 121 geographically scattered islands and atolls that span more than 2,000 kilometers in the South Pacific Ocean. French Polynesia has 3,521 square kilometers of land area in all. Its capital is Papeete. Papeete, one of the biggest urban areas in the South Pacific, is a gracious tropical city with tall palms and an abundance of flowers. It is located on the northwest coast of Tahiti.
The service sector makes up 75% of French Polynesia's economy, which is one of a developed nation. The GDP per person in French Polynesia is about $22,000, making it one of the highest in the Pacific. The largest center for financial and commercial services in French Polynesia is located in Pape'ete.
History:
The Marquesas Islands were the first French Polynesian islands to be settled, around 200 BC. To ensure that Catholic missionaries could carry out their work without interference, Tahiti and Tahuata were designated as French protectorates in 1842. Papeet's capital city was established in 1843. Tahiti's status was changed from a protectorate to a colony in 1880 when France annexed it. Until the French protectorate was established in 1889, the island groups were not formally united. Following its reinstatement on the UN's list of non-self-governing territories in 2013, French Polynesia is now qualified to hold an independence vote with UN support.
Culture:
As missionaries started to arrive in the late 18th century and suppress the traditional culture, many aspects of traditional Polynesian culture and arts, including dancing, music, tattooing, and religion, disappeared. The style of singing, which is popular in French Polynesia and the Cook Islands, is characterized by a distinctive drop in pitch at the end of the phrases that are created by multiple voices and is accompanied by a steady grunting of staccato, nonlexical syllables.
Language:
French Polynesia only has one official language, which is French. Since the beginning of time, French Polynesia has had a diverse range of languages, with local dialects existing in every community. Tahitian, Tuamotuan, Rapa, Austral, North Marquesan, South Marquesan, and Mangarevan are the seven languages that can be formed from these dialects based on their mutual intelligibility. Particularly Tuamotuan, some of these are dialect continua made up of a patchwork of various dialects.
Geography:
A total of 130 islands between latitudes 7° and 27° S and longitudes 134° and 155° W are included. All of the islands are outgrowths of parallel, southeast-to-northwest-trending submarine ridges. Tahiti, which is made up of two ancient volcanic cones, is notable for its dramatic silhouette and elevation of 7,352 feet above sea level.
| Official name | French Polynesia |
| Capital | Papeete |
| Area | 4,167 km² |
| Population | 3.04 lakhs |
| Currency | CFP Franc |
| Religion | Christianity |
| Language | French |
| Major Cities | Faa'a, Papeete, Punaauia |
FAQs
Q1.What is the official language of French Polynesia?
French is the official language of French Polynesia.
Q2.What is the capital of French Polynesia?
Papeete is the capital of French Polynesia.
Q3.What is the currency of French Polynesia?
CFP Franc is the currency of French Polynesia.
Q4.What is the climate in French Polynesia?
Tropical warm and humidity characterize the weather. From November to April, there is a warm rainy season, and from May to October, there is a relatively cool dry season.
Last Updated on: April 20, 2023
