Discover Fascinating French Polynesia Facts

Dive into the history, culture, and unique insights about French Polynesia.

French Polynesia

Background

Did you know that French Polynesia has a fascinating history? ๐ŸŒด The French started taking control of different Polynesian island groups in the 19th century. ๐Ÿ“† That was a long time ago! Between 1966 and 1996, France used some uninhabited atolls in the area for nuclear weapons testing, which caused quite a bit of controversy. ๐Ÿ’ฅ But hereโ€™s some good news! ๐Ÿฅณ Recently, French Polynesia has gained more autonomy, giving it a larger say in its own affairs.

Years of nuclear testing

30 years

Starting year of autonomy expansion

Recent years

Exports - commodities

๐ŸŒด French Polynesia is famous for its beautiful pearls and delicious fish! In 2022, the country exported a variety of interesting commodities. Hereโ€™s a look at some of the key exports:

  • Pearls: A sparkling treasure from the ocean! ๐Ÿš
  • Fish: Fresh and tasty, perfect for seafood lovers! ๐Ÿฃ
  • Aircraft Parts: Supporting travel and transport! โœˆ๏ธ
  • Coconut Oil: Nourishing and versatile, great for cooking! ๐Ÿฅฅ
  • Electrical Power Accessories: Keeping the lights on and devices running! ๐Ÿ’ก

French Polynesia boasts a diverse range of exports that highlight its natural resources and industrial capabilities. Isnโ€™t that cool? ๐ŸŒŠ

Exports - partners

๐ŸŒ Let's dive into the export partners of French Polynesia for 2022! ๐Ÿฅฅ French Polynesia trades with several countries, and here's how it breaks down by percentage:

  • France: 18% ๐Ÿ‡ซ๐Ÿ‡ท
  • United States: 18% ๐Ÿ‡บ๐Ÿ‡ธ
  • Hong Kong: 18% ๐Ÿ‡ญ๐Ÿ‡ฐ
  • Japan: 13% ๐Ÿ‡ฏ๐Ÿ‡ต
  • Netherlands: 9% ๐Ÿ‡ณ๐Ÿ‡ฑ

It's interesting to see that France, the US, and Hong Kong equally share the top spot, making up 18% each of the exports! ๐Ÿฅณ Thatโ€™s quite a trio! But Japan and the Netherlands are also contributing with respectable shares. ๐Ÿ“Š

This gives us a clear look into the trade relationships French Polynesia holds with different nations. Understanding these partnerships helps us see how trade affects the economy! ๐Ÿ’ฐ

Total Export Partners

5

Highest Export Percentage

18%

Lowest Export Percentage

9%

Export Partners of French Polynesia (2022)

Capital

๐ŸŒŸ Welcome to Papeete! ๐ŸŒŸ This vibrant city is the capital of French Polynesia and is situated on the beautiful island of Tahiti. Papeete is not just the administrative center, but also a cultural hub where you can enjoy stunning beaches, local markets, and a rich mix of traditional Polynesian culture and modern influences. ๐Ÿ–๏ธโœจ

Imports - commodities

French Polynesia imports a variety of essential commodities! ๐Ÿšข Here are some of the key imports for 2022:

  • Refined Petroleum: This is a crucial import that powers vehicles and machinery!
  • Cars: Cars are a popular import, helping locals get around. ๐Ÿš—
  • Packaged Medicine: Keeping everyone healthy and well taken care of!
  • Beef: A key source of protein to keep meals delicious.
  • Plastic Products: These are used everywhere in daily life, making things convenient! ๐Ÿ›๏ธ

Each of these commodities plays an important role in the economy and daily life of the people in French Polynesia.

Climate

๐ŸŒด French Polynesia enjoys a tropical climate, but it's also moderate! This means warm temperatures throughout the year without extreme weather, making it a paradise for beach lovers and adventurers alike! ๐Ÿ–๏ธ

Executive branch

๐Ÿ“œ Executive Branch of French Polynesia

In French Polynesia, the leadership is headed by the chief of state, who is the President of France, currently Emmanuel MACRON since 14 May 2017. ๐Ÿ‡ซ๐Ÿ‡ท

Representing him is the High Commissioner of the Republic, Eric SPITZ, who took office on 23 September 2022.

The head of government for French Polynesia is the President of French Polynesia, Moetai BROTHERSON, who has been in charge since 12 May 2023. ๐Ÿ›๏ธ

This structure ensures that French Polynesia is connected to the broader French governance while maintaining its local government operations.

Current Chief of State

Emmanuel MACRON since 14 May 2017

Current High Commissioner

Eric SPITZ since 23 September 2022

Current Head of Government

Moetai BROTHERSON since 12 May 2023

Legislative branch

๐Ÿ›๏ธ Welcome to the world of French Polynesia's Legislative branch! ๐Ÿ‡ต๐Ÿ‡ซ The Assembly of French Polynesia is a unicameral body, meaning it has only one chamber. ๐Ÿ“œ Currently, this assembly consists of 57 seats. This ensures that decisions affecting the beautiful islands of French Polynesia are made efficiently and effectively! ๐ŸŒดโœจ

Total Seats in Assembly

57

Natural resources

๐ŸŒฟ French Polynesia is blessed with a variety of natural resources! Hereโ€™s a quick look at what the land has to offer:

  • Timber: These woody plants are essential for construction and paper making. ๐ŸŒณ
  • Fish: The surrounding waters are teeming with fish, making this a vital resource for food and economy. ๐ŸŸ
  • Cobalt: This important mineral is used in batteries and various industrial applications. โšก
  • Hydropower: Utilizing the power of water to generate energy, hydropower plays a key role in sustainable energy efforts. ๐Ÿ’ง

With such rich resources, French Polynesia can look forward to a bright and sustainable future! โœจ

Economic overview

๐ŸŒด Welcome to the beautiful world of French Polynesia's economy! This small island paradise thrives on its tourism industry, making it a popular destination for travelers seeking sunshine and adventure. ๐Ÿ๏ธ With significant financial support from France, the local economy enjoys a boost that helps maintain stability even through tough times. ๐Ÿ‡ซ๐Ÿ‡ท

Did you know that lower EU import duties make it easier for French Polynesia to bring in goods? ๐Ÿšข This is great news for the islands! On top of that, being a member of the Pacific Islands Forum strengthens their economic ties with neighboring countries. ๐Ÿค

Despite facing challenges like the COVID-19 pandemic, French Polynesia has shown a remarkable resilience, bouncing back and showcasing the strength of its tourism-based economy. ๐Ÿ’ช However, it is worth noting that the islands are somewhat dependent on oil for their infrastructure, which can create hurdles in terms of sustainability. โ›ฝ

Overall, French Polynesia's economy is a fascinating mix of natural beauty, tourism, and international support! ๐ŸŒŠ๐ŸŒž

Economy Type

Tourism-based

Support from France

Large

EU Import Duties Impact

Lower

Dependence on Oil

High

Resilience from COVID-19

Fairly resilient

Government type

๐Ÿ‡ต๐Ÿ‡ซ French Polynesia is a unique place with its own parliamentary democracy! ๐Ÿ›๏ธ This means that the people elect representatives to make decisions for them in the Assembly of French Polynesia. As an overseas collectivity of France, it enjoys a special relationship that helps shape its governance. What an interesting blend of local and national influences! ๐ŸŒ

Government Type

Parliamentary Democracy

Status as Overseas Collectivity

Yes

Ethnic groups

In the beautiful islands of French Polynesia, the population is made up of a colorful mix of ethnic groups! ๐ŸŒบ Let's explore the diversity:

  • Polynesian: 78%
  • Chinese: 12%
  • Local French: 6%
  • Metropolitan French: 4%

This means that the Polynesians make up the vast majority, creating a rich cultural tapestry that makes French Polynesia unique! ๐ŸŒโœจ

Total Percentage of Ethnic Groups

100%

Most Dominant Ethnic Group

Polynesian at 78%

Ethnic Composition of French Polynesia

Religions

In the beautiful lands of French Polynesia, the people celebrate a variety of beliefs! ๐ŸŒŠโœจ Here's a quick look at the different religions practiced:

  • Protestant: 54% โ›ช
  • Roman Catholic: 30% โœ๏ธ
  • Other: 10% ๐ŸŒˆ
  • No Religion: 6% โ˜๏ธ

Isn't it fascinating how diverse the beliefs are? Let's visualize this with a pie chart! ๐Ÿฅง

Total Percentage of Religions

100%

Religions in French Polynesia

Languages

In French Polynesia, the people speak a variety of languages that reflect their rich culture and history. The official language, French, is spoken by 73.5% of the population. ๐ŸŒ Hereโ€™s a peek at some other languages:

  • Tahitian: 20.1%
  • Marquesan: 2.6%
  • Austral languages: 1.2%
  • Paumotu: 1%
  • Other languages: 1.6%

This diverse language landscape shows how communities blend traditional and modern influences. ๐Ÿ“šโœจ

Percentage of population speaking French

73.5%

Percentage of population speaking Tahitian

20.1%

Percentage of population speaking Marquesan

2.6%

Percentage of population speaking Austral languages

1.2%

Percentage of population speaking Paumotu

1%

Percentage of population speaking other languages

1.6%

Language Distribution in French Polynesia (2017)

Imports - partners

๐Ÿ‡ต๐Ÿ‡ซ Imports Partners of French Polynesia

French Polynesia has some interesting trading partners! Here's a snapshot of where most of their imports come from:

  • France takes the lead at a whopping 30%! ๐Ÿ‡ซ๐Ÿ‡ท
  • Following France, China plays an important role, contributing 13% to the imports. ๐Ÿ‡จ๐Ÿ‡ณ
  • The United States comes in third at 9%. ๐Ÿ‡บ๐Ÿ‡ธ
  • Both South Korea and New Zealand tie, each accounting for 6% of imports. ๐Ÿ‡ฐ๐Ÿ‡ท๐Ÿ‡ณ๐Ÿ‡ฟ

These numbers tell a fascinating story of connections across the globe! ๐ŸŒ

Import Partners of French Polynesia in 2022

Population

๐ŸŒ The total population of French Polynesia is 303,540 people! That's a vibrant community living across beautiful islands in the South Pacific. How exciting is that? ๐Ÿ๏ธ

Total Population

303,540

Area

๐ŸŒ Area of French Polynesia

French Polynesia boasts a vibrant landscape with a total area of 4,167 sq km! ๐ŸŒด Let's break it down:

  • Land Area: A generous 3,827 sq km, where most of the adventures and explorations happen! ๐Ÿ๏ธ
  • Water Area: Covering 340 sq km of beautiful ocean, perfect for snorkeling and enjoying marine life! ๐Ÿ ๐Ÿ’ฆ

Isn't it fascinating how much of French Polynesia is surrounded by water? ๐Ÿฌ

Total Area

4167 sq km

Land Area

3827 sq km

Water Area

340 sq km

Distribution of Area in French Polynesia

Real GDP (purchasing power parity)

๐ŸŒ Let's talk about the Real GDP (purchasing power parity) for beautiful French Polynesia! This gives us an idea of how much the economy is doing. Hereโ€™s what we found over the last few years:

  • In 2019, the Real GDP was $5.94 billion.
  • In 2020, it slightly dropped to $5.52 billion.
  • By 2021, it bounced back up to $5.65 billion! ๐Ÿ๏ธ๐Ÿ“ˆ

This rise and fall tell us a story about how the economy is recovering after tough times. Isn't it fascinating how economies change like the waves in the ocean? ๐ŸŒŠ

GDP in 2021

$5.65 billion

GDP in 2020

$5.52 billion

GDP in 2019

$5.94 billion

Real GDP in French Polynesia (2019 - 2021)

Real GDP per capita

๐ŸŒ Let's take a closer look at the Real GDP per capita for the beautiful French Polynesia! This number tells us how much money each person would have if the total economic output of the region was divided equally among its residents. It's a great indicator of how well people are doing financially!

Here are the estimated figures over the last few years:

  • 2021: $18,600
  • 2020: $18,300
  • 2019: $19,800

Isn't it interesting to see how this number changes? ๐Ÿ“ˆ From 2019 to 2021, we can observe each yearโ€™s estimated GDP per capita, showing the economic ups and downs. Let's visualize these figures!

GDP per Capita in 2021

18,600

GDP per Capita in 2020

18,300

GDP per Capita in 2019

19,800

Real GDP per Capita in French Polynesia (2019 - 2021)

Imports

๐ŸŒ Let's take a look at the imports for French Polynesia over the years! ๐Ÿ“Š In 2019, imports were at a whopping $2.24 billion. This number saw a decrease in 2020, dropping to $1.75 billion. But don't worry, there's some good news! In 2021, imports increased slightly to $1.66 billion. ๐Ÿ“ˆ This shows us how the economy is shifting year by year!

Imports in 2019

$2.24 billion

Imports in 2020

$1.75 billion

Imports in 2021

$1.66 billion

Imports Over Time in French Polynesia

Exports

๐ŸŒ French Polynesia has been exporting goods and earning quite a bit! Here's how much they've made from exports in recent years:

  • 2021: $162 million
  • 2020: $94.4 million
  • 2019: $184 million

๐Ÿ“Š As you can see, the amount has varied a lot over the years, peaking in 2019 and then dropping significantly in 2020, but bouncing back slightly in 2021! Let's dive into the visuals to see this trend more clearly.

Total Exports (2021)

$162 million

Total Exports (2020)

$94.4 million

Total Exports (2019)

$184 million

Exports of French Polynesia Over Time

Population growth rate

๐ŸŽ‰ Did you know that the population growth rate for French Polynesia is estimated to be 0.66% in 2024? This means that the number of people living in this beautiful island paradise is slowly increasing, which could lead to more awesome cultural experiences and vibrant communities! ๐ŸŒดโœจ

Population Growth Rate (2024)

0.66%