French Polynesia (2001) | Christmas Island (2001) | |
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Administrative divisions | none (overseas territory of France); there are no first-order administrative divisions as defined by the US Government, but there are 5 archipelagic divisions named Archipel des Marquises, Archipel des Tuamotu, Archipel des Tubuai, Iles du Vent, and Iles Sous-le-Vent
note: Clipperton Island is administered by France from French Polynesia |
none (territory of Australia) |
Age structure | 0-14 years:
29.74% (male 38,473; female 36,925) 15-64 years: 65.17% (male 86,128; female 79,076) 65 years and over: 5.09% (male 6,481; female 6,423) (2001 est.) |
0-14 years:
NA% 15-64 years: NA% 65 years and over: NA% |
Agriculture - products | coconuts, vanilla, vegetables, fruits; poultry, beef, dairy products | NA |
Airports | 45 (2000 est.) | 1 (2000 est.) |
Airports - with paved runways | total:
32 over 3,047 m: 2 1,524 to 2,437 m: 5 914 to 1,523 m: 19 under 914 m: 6 (2000 est.) |
total:
1 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 (2000 est.) |
Airports - with unpaved runways | total:
13 914 to 1,523 m: 3 under 914 m: 10 (2000 est.) |
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Area | total:
4,167 sq km (118 islands and atolls) land: 3,660 sq km water: 507 sq km |
total:
135 sq km land: 135 sq km water: 0 sq km |
Area - comparative | slightly less than one-third the size of Connecticut | about 0.7 times the size of Washington, DC |
Background | 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. | Named in 1643 for the day of its discovery, the island was annexed and settlement was begun by the UK in 1888. Phosphate mining began in the 1890s. The UK transferred sovereignty to Australia in 1958. The phosphate mine, closed in 1987, was reopened four years later, but the need for an alternative industry has spurred investment in tourism. Old mining areas are being restored, and almost two-thirds of the island has been declared a national park. |
Birth rate | 18.6 births/1,000 population (2001 est.) | NA births/1,000 population |
Budget | revenues:
$1 billion expenditures: $900 million, including capital expenditures of $185 million (1996) |
revenues:
$NA expenditures: $NA, including capital expenditures of $NA |
Capital | Papeete | The Settlement |
Climate | tropical, but moderate | tropical; heat and humidity moderated by trade winds |
Coastline | 2,525 km | 138.9 km |
Constitution | 28 September 1958 (French Constitution) | Christmas Island Act of 1958 |
Country name | conventional long form:
Territory of French Polynesia conventional short form: French Polynesia local long form: Territoire de la Polynesie Francaise local short form: Polynesie Francaise former: French Colony of Oceania |
conventional long form:
Territory of Christmas Island conventional short form: Christmas Island |
Currency | Comptoirs Francais du Pacifique franc (XPF) | Australian dollar (AUD) |
Death rate | 4.45 deaths/1,000 population (2001 est.) | NA deaths/1,000 population |
Debt - external | $NA | $NA |
Dependency status | overseas territory of France since 1946 | territory of Australia; administered from Canberra by the Australian Department of the Environment, Sport, and Territories |
Diplomatic representation from the US | none (overseas territory of France) | none (territory of Australia) |
Diplomatic representation in the US | none (overseas territory of France) | none (territory of Australia) |
Disputes - international | none | none |
Economic aid - recipient | $367 million (1997) | $NA |
Economy - overview | Since 1962, when France stationed military personnel in the region, French Polynesia has changed from a subsistence economy to one in which a high proportion of the work force is either employed by the military or supports the tourist industry. Tourism accounts for about one-fourth of GDP and is a primary source of hard currency earnings. The small manufacturing sector primarily processes agricultural products. The territory benefited from a five-year (1994-98) development agreement with France aimed principally at creating new jobs. | Phosphate mining had been the only significant economic activity, but in December 1987 the Australian Government closed the mine. In 1991, the mine was reopened by union workers. With the support of the government, Australian-based Casinos Austria International Ltd. built a $34 million casino on Christmas Island, which opened in 1993. As of yearend 1999, gaming facilities at the casino were temporarily closed but were expected to reopen in early 2000. Another economic prospect is the possible location of a space-launching site on the island. |
Electricity - consumption | 399.9 million kWh (1999) | NA kWh |
Electricity - exports | 0 kWh (1999) | - |
Electricity - imports | 0 kWh (1999) | - |
Electricity - production | 430 million kWh (1999) | NA kWh |
Electricity - production by source | fossil fuel:
51.16% hydro: 48.84% nuclear: 0% other: 0% (1999) |
fossil fuel:
NA% hydro: NA% nuclear: NA% other: NA% |
Elevation extremes | lowest point:
Pacific Ocean 0 m highest point: Mont Orohena 2,241 m |
lowest point:
Indian Ocean 0 m highest point: Murray Hill 361 m |
Environment - current issues | NA | NA |
Ethnic groups | Polynesian 78%, Chinese 12%, local French 6%, metropolitan French 4% | Chinese 61%, Malay 25%, European 11%, other 3%, no indigenous population |
Exchange rates | Comptoirs Francais du Pacifique francs (XPF) per US dollar - 127.11 (January 2001), 129.44 (2000), 111.93 (1999), 107.25 (1998), 106.11 (1997), 93.00 (1996); note - pegged at the rate of 119.25 XPF to the euro | Australian dollars per US dollar - 1.7995 (January 2001), 1.7173 (2000), 1.5497 (1999), 1.5888 (1998), 1.3439 (1997), 1.2773 (1996) |
Executive branch | chief of state:
President Jacques CHIRAC of France (since 17 May 1995), represented by High Commissioner of the Republic Paul RONCIERE (since NA 1994) head of government: President of the Territorial Government of French Polynesia Gaston FLOSSE (since 4 April 1991); President of the Territorial Assembly Justin ARAPARI (since 13 May 1996) cabinet: Council of Ministers; president submits a list of members of the Territorial Assembly for approval by them to serve as ministers elections: French president elected by popular vote for a seven-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 are elected by the members of the assembly |
chief of state:
Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952), represented by the Australian governor general head of government: Administrator William Leonard TAYLOR (since 4 February 1999) elections: none; the monarch is hereditary; administrator appointed by the governor general of Australia and represents the monarch and Australia |
Exports | $205 million (f.o.b., 1999) | $NA |
Exports - commodities | cultured pearls 50%, coconut products, mother-of-pearl, vanilla, shark meat (1997) | phosphate |
Exports - partners | Japan 62%, US 21% (1999) | Australia, NZ |
Fiscal year | calendar year | 1 July - 30 June |
Flag description | two narrow red horizontal bands encase a wide white band; centered on the white band is a disk with blue and white wave pattern on the lower half and gold and white ray pattern on the upper half; a stylized red, blue and white ship rides on the wave pattern; the French flag is used for official occasions | the flag of Australia is used |
GDP | purchasing power parity - $2.6 billion (1997 est.) | purchasing power parity - $NA |
GDP - composition by sector | agriculture:
4% industry: 18% services: 78% (1997) |
agriculture:
NA% industry: NA% services: NA% |
GDP - per capita | purchasing power parity - $10,800 (1997 est.) | purchasing power parity - $NA |
GDP - real growth rate | 2.5% (1997 est.) | NA% |
Geographic coordinates | 15 00 S, 140 00 W | 10 30 S, 105 40 E |
Geography - note | includes five archipelagoes; 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 | located along major sea lanes of Indian Ocean |
Highways | total:
792 km paved: 264 km unpaved: 528 km (2000) |
total:
140 km (not including 100 km that is maintained by private industry) paved: 30 km unpaved: 110 km (1999) |
Household income or consumption by percentage share | lowest 10%:
NA% highest 10%: NA% |
lowest 10%:
NA% highest 10%: NA% |
Imports | $749 million (f.o.b., 1999) | $NA |
Imports - commodities | fuels, foodstuffs, equipment | consumer goods |
Imports - partners | France 53%, US 13%, Australia 10% (1999) | principally Australia |
Independence | none (overseas territory of France) | none (territory of Australia) |
Industrial production growth rate | NA% | NA% |
Industries | tourism, pearls, agricultural processing, handicrafts | tourism, phosphate extraction (near depletion) |
Infant mortality rate | 9.12 deaths/1,000 live births (2001 est.) | NA deaths/1,000 live births |
Inflation rate (consumer prices) | 1.5% (1994) | NA% |
International organization participation | ESCAP (associate), FZ, ICFTU, SPC, WMO | none |
Internet Service Providers (ISPs) | 2 (2000) | 2 (2000) |
Irrigated land | NA sq km | NA sq km |
Judicial branch | Court of Appeal or Cour d'Appel; Court of the First Instance or Tribunal de Premiere Instance; Court of Administrative Law or Tribunal Administratif | Supreme Court; District Court; Magistrate's Court |
Labor force | 70,000 (1996) | NA |
Labor force - by occupation | agriculture 13%, industry 19%, services 68% (1997) | tourism 400 people, mining 100 people (1995) |
Land boundaries | 0 km | 0 km |
Land use | arable land:
1% permanent crops: 6% permanent pastures: 5% forests and woodland: 31% other: 57% (1993 est.) |
arable land:
NA% permanent crops: NA% permanent pastures: NA% forests and woodland: NA% other: NA% note: mainly tropical rainforest of which 60%-70% is in a national park |
Languages | French (official), Tahitian (official) | English, Chinese, Malay |
Legal system | based on French system | under the authority of the governor general of Australia and Australian law |
Legislative branch | unicameral Territorial Assembly or Assemblee Territoriale (41 seats; members are elected by popular vote to serve five-year terms)
elections: last held 12 May 1996 (next to be held NA 2001) election results: percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party - People's Rally for the Republic (Gaullist) 22, Independent Front for the Liberation of Polynesia 10, New Fatherland Party 5, other 4 note: one seat was elected to the French Senate on 24 September 1989 (next to be held NA September 1998); results - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - UC 1; two seats were elected to the French National Assembly on 25 May - 1 June 1997 (next to be held NA 2002); results - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - People's Rally for the Republic (Gaullist) 2 |
unicameral Christmas Island Shire Council (9 seats; members elected by popular vote to serve one-year terms)
elections: last held NA December 2000 (next to be held NA December 2001) election results: percent of vote - NA%; seats - independents 9 |
Life expectancy at birth | total population:
75.01 years male: 72.67 years female: 77.46 years (2001 est.) |
total population:
NA years male: NA years female: NA years |
Literacy | definition:
age 14 and over can read and write total population: 98% male: 98% female: 98% (1977 est.) |
- |
Location | Oceania, archipelago in the South Pacific Ocean, about one-half of the way from South America to Australia | Southeastern Asia, island in the Indian Ocean, south of Indonesia |
Map references | Oceania | Southeast Asia |
Maritime claims | exclusive economic zone:
200 NM territorial sea: 12 NM |
contiguous zone:
12 NM exclusive fishing zone: 200 NM territorial sea: 3 NM |
Merchant marine | total:
4 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 5,240 GRT/7,765 DWT ships by type: cargo 1, passenger/cargo 2, refrigerated cargo 1 (2000 est.) |
none (2000 est.) |
Military - note | defense is the responsibility of France | defense is the responsibility of Australia |
Military branches | French Forces (includes Army, Navy, Air Force), Gendarmerie | - |
National holiday | Bastille Day, 14 July (1789) | NA |
Nationality | noun:
French Polynesian(s) adjective: French Polynesian |
noun:
Christmas Islander(s) adjective: Christmas Island |
Natural hazards | occasional cyclonic storms in January | the narrow fringing reef surrounding the island can be a maritime hazard |
Natural resources | timber, fish, cobalt, hydropower | phosphate |
Net migration rate | 3.09 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2001 est.) | NA migrant(s)/1,000 population |
Political parties and leaders | Centrist Union or UC [leader NA]; Independent Front for the Liberation of Polynesia (Tavini Huiraatira) [Oscar TEMARU]; New Fatherland Party (Ai'a Api) [Emile VERNAUDON]; People's Rally for the Republic (Tahoeraa Huiraatira) [Gaston FLOSSE] | none |
Political pressure groups and leaders | NA | none |
Population | 253,506 (July 2001 est.) | 2,771 (July 2001 est.) |
Population below poverty line | NA% | NA% |
Population growth rate | 1.72% (2001 est.) | 7.77% (2001 est.) |
Ports and harbors | Mataura, Papeete, Rikitea, Uturoa | Flying Fish Cove |
Radio broadcast stations | AM 2, FM 14, shortwave 2 (1998) | AM 1, FM 1, shortwave 0 (1998) |
Radios | 128,000 (1997) | 1,000 (1997) |
Railways | 0 km | 24 km to serve phosphate mines |
Religions | Protestant 54%, Roman Catholic 30%, other 16% | Buddhist 55%, Christian 15%, Muslim 10%, other 20% (1991) |
Sex ratio | at birth:
1.05 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.04 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1.09 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 1.01 male(s)/female total population: 1.07 male(s)/female (2001 est.) |
- |
Suffrage | 18 years of age; universal | - |
Telephone system | general assessment:
NA domestic: NA international: satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Pacific Ocean) |
general assessment:
NA domestic: NA international: satellite earth stations - one Intelsat earth station provides telephone and telex service |
Telephones - main lines in use | 52,000 (1997) | NA |
Telephones - mobile cellular | 5,427 (1997) | 0 (1999) |
Television broadcast stations | 7 (plus 17 low-power repeaters) (1997) | NA |
Terrain | mixture of rugged high islands and low islands with reefs | steep cliffs along coast rise abruptly to central plateau |
Total fertility rate | 2.23 children born/woman (2001 est.) | NA children born/woman |
Unemployment rate | 15% (1992 est.) | NA% |
Waterways | none | none |