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? ๐ด The French started taking control of different Polynesian island groups in the 19th century. ๐ 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. ๐ฅ But hereโs some good news! ๐ฅณ 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
๐ด French Polynesia is famous for its beautiful pearls and delicious fish! In 2022, the country exported a variety of interesting commodities. Hereโs a look at some of the key exports:
- Pearls: A sparkling treasure from the ocean! ๐
- Fish: Fresh and tasty, perfect for seafood lovers! ๐ฃ
- Aircraft Parts: Supporting travel and transport! โ๏ธ
- Coconut Oil: Nourishing and versatile, great for cooking! ๐ฅฅ
- Electrical Power Accessories: Keeping the lights on and devices running! ๐ก
French Polynesia boasts a diverse range of exports that highlight its natural resources and industrial capabilities. Isnโt that cool? ๐
Exports - partners
๐ Let's dive into the export partners of French Polynesia for 2022! ๐ฅฅ French Polynesia trades with several countries, and here's how it breaks down by percentage:
- France: 18% ๐ซ๐ท
- United States: 18% ๐บ๐ธ
- Hong Kong: 18% ๐ญ๐ฐ
- Japan: 13% ๐ฏ๐ต
- Netherlands: 9% ๐ณ๐ฑ
It's interesting to see that France, the US, and Hong Kong equally share the top spot, making up 18% each of the exports! ๐ฅณ Thatโs quite a trio! But Japan and the Netherlands are also contributing with respectable shares. ๐
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! ๐ฐ
Total Export Partners
5
Highest Export Percentage
18%
Lowest Export Percentage
9%
Export Partners of French Polynesia (2022)
Capital
๐ Welcome to Papeete! ๐ 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. ๐๏ธโจ
Imports - commodities
French Polynesia imports a variety of essential commodities! ๐ข 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. ๐
- 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! ๐๏ธ
Each of these commodities plays an important role in the economy and daily life of the people in French Polynesia.
Climate
๐ด 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! ๐๏ธ
Executive branch
๐ 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. ๐ซ๐ท
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. ๐๏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
๐๏ธ Welcome to the world of French Polynesia's Legislative branch! ๐ต๐ซ The Assembly of French Polynesia is a unicameral body, meaning it has only one chamber. ๐ Currently, this assembly consists of 57 seats. This ensures that decisions affecting the beautiful islands of French Polynesia are made efficiently and effectively! ๐ดโจ
Total Seats in Assembly
57
Natural resources
๐ฟ French Polynesia is blessed with a variety of natural resources! Hereโs a quick look at what the land has to offer:
- Timber: These woody plants are essential for construction and paper making. ๐ณ
- Fish: The surrounding waters are teeming with fish, making this a vital resource for food and economy. ๐
- Cobalt: This important mineral is used in batteries and various industrial applications. โก
- Hydropower: Utilizing the power of water to generate energy, hydropower plays a key role in sustainable energy efforts. ๐ง
With such rich resources, French Polynesia can look forward to a bright and sustainable future! โจ
Economic overview
๐ด 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. ๐๏ธ With significant financial support from France, the local economy enjoys a boost that helps maintain stability even through tough times. ๐ซ๐ท
Did you know that lower EU import duties make it easier for French Polynesia to bring in goods? ๐ข 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. ๐ค
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. ๐ช However, it is worth noting that the islands are somewhat dependent on oil for their infrastructure, which can create hurdles in terms of sustainability. โฝ
Overall, French Polynesia's economy is a fascinating mix of natural beauty, tourism, and international support! ๐๐
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
๐ต๐ซ French Polynesia is a unique place with its own parliamentary democracy! ๐๏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! ๐
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! ๐บ 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! ๐โจ
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! ๐โจ Here's a quick look at the different religions practiced:
- Protestant: 54% โช
- Roman Catholic: 30% โ๏ธ
- Other: 10% ๐
- No Religion: 6% โ๏ธ
Isn't it fascinating how diverse the beliefs are? Let's visualize this with a pie chart! ๐ฅง
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. ๐ Hereโs 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. ๐โจ
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
๐ต๐ซ 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%! ๐ซ๐ท
- Following France, China plays an important role, contributing 13% to the imports. ๐จ๐ณ
- The United States comes in third at 9%. ๐บ๐ธ
- Both South Korea and New Zealand tie, each accounting for 6% of imports. ๐ฐ๐ท๐ณ๐ฟ
These numbers tell a fascinating story of connections across the globe! ๐
Import Partners of French Polynesia in 2022
Population
๐ 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? ๐๏ธ
Total Population
303,540
Area
๐ Area of French Polynesia
French Polynesia boasts a vibrant landscape with a total area of 4,167 sq km! ๐ด Let's break it down:
- Land Area: A generous 3,827 sq km, where most of the adventures and explorations happen! ๐๏ธ
- Water Area: Covering 340 sq km of beautiful ocean, perfect for snorkeling and enjoying marine life! ๐ ๐ฆ
Isn't it fascinating how much of French Polynesia is surrounded by water? ๐ฌ
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)
๐ 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. Hereโs 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! ๐๏ธ๐
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? ๐
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
๐ 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? ๐ From 2019 to 2021, we can observe each yearโs 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
๐ Let's take a look at the imports for French Polynesia over the years! ๐ 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. ๐ 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
๐ 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
๐ 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
๐ 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! ๐ดโจ
Population Growth Rate (2024)
0.66%