French Polynesia

French Polynesia (French Polynésie Française), overseas territory of France, consisting of several groups of small islands scattered over a wide area of the eastern South Pacific Ocean. The territory has a total land area of 3521 sq km (1359 sq mi). French Polynesia is divided into five archipelagos: the Society Islands, composed of the Windward Islands and the Leeward Islands; the Tuamotu Archipelago; the Gambier Islands; the Austral Islands; and the Marquesas Islands (French Îles Marquises). Clipperton Island, an uninhabited atoll, south of the coast of Mexico, is also part of the territory. The population is primarily Polynesian, with minorities of Chinese and Europeans. French is the official language, but various Polynesian languages are generally spoken. The principal island is Tahiti; its chief town, Papeete, is the capital of the territory. Copra, vanilla, and cultured pearls are the leading exports. Subsistence activities include fishing and the culture of tropical fruits. Tourism, a growing business, is very important to the economy. The unit of currency is the CFP franc (91 CFP francs equal U.S.$1; 1996). The islands were annexed by France beginning in the 1840s. In 1958 a plebiscite was held, the islands voting for the status of an overseas territory within the French Community. The territory is governed by a 41-member territorial assembly, elected by universal adult suffrage, and is represented in both houses of the French National Assembly. The islands were given increased autonomy in 1977. France began conducting nuclear tests at uninhabited French Polynesian atolls in 1966. Despite demands by many Tahitians and foreign governments to end the tests, France continued the testing until January 1996. In March, France signed the South Pacific Nuclear-Free Zone Treaty banning nuclear tests in the region. Population (1988) 188,814.