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Compare French Polynesia (2002) - Southern Ocean (2001)

Compare French Polynesia (2002) z Southern Ocean (2001)

 French Polynesia (2002)Southern Ocean (2001)
 French PolynesiaSouthern Ocean
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
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Age structure 0-14 years: 29% (male 38,184; female 36,631)


15-64 years: 65.7% (male 88,250; female 81,165)


65 years and over: 5.3% (male 6,850; female 6,767) (2002 est.)
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Agriculture - products coconuts, vanilla, vegetables, fruits; poultry, beef, dairy products -
Airports 45 (2001) -
Airports - with paved runways total: 37


over 3,047 m: 2


1,524 to 2,437 m: 5


914 to 1,523 m: 22


under 914 m: 8 (2002)
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Airports - with unpaved runways total: 8


914 to 1,523 m: 3


under 914 m: 5 (2002)
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Area total: 4,167 sq km (118 islands and atolls)


land: 3,660 sq km


water: 507 sq km
total:
20.327 million sq km

note:
includes Amundsen Sea, Bellingshausen Sea, part of the Drake Passage, Ross Sea, a small part of the Scotia Sea, Weddell Sea, and other tributary water bodies
Area - comparative slightly less than one-third the size of Connecticut slightly more than twice the size of the US
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. A decision by the International Hydrographic Organization in the spring of 2000 delimited a fifth world ocean - the Southern Ocean - from the southern portions of the Atlantic Ocean, Indian Ocean, and Pacific Ocean. The Southern Ocean extends from the coast of Antarctica north to 60 degrees south latitude which coincides with the Antarctic Treaty Limit. The Southern Ocean is now the fourth largest of the world's five oceans (after the Pacific Ocean, Atlantic Ocean, and Indian Ocean, but larger than the Arctic Ocean).
Birth rate 18.17 births/1,000 population (2002 est.) -
Budget revenues: $1 billion


expenditures: $900 million, including capital expenditures of $185 million (1996) (1996)
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Capital Papeete -
Climate tropical, but moderate sea temperatures vary from about 10 degrees Celsius to -2 degrees Celsius; cyclonic storms travel eastward around the continent and frequently are intense because of the temperature contrast between ice and open ocean; the ocean area from about latitude 40 south to the Antarctic Circle has the strongest average winds found anywhere on Earth; in winter the ocean freezes outward to 65 degrees south latitude in the Pacific sector and 55 degrees south latitude in the Atlantic sector, lowering surface temperatures well below 0 degrees Celsius; at some coastal points intense persistent drainage winds from the interior keep the shoreline ice-free throughout the winter
Coastline 2,525 km 17,968 km
Constitution 28 September 1958 (French Constitution) -
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
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Currency Comptoirs Francais du Pacifique franc (XPF); note - may adopt the euro in 2003 -
Death rate 4.49 deaths/1,000 population (2002 est.) -
Debt - external $NA -
Dependency status overseas territory of France since 1946 -
Diplomatic representation from the US none (overseas territory of France) -
Diplomatic representation in the US none (overseas territory of France) -
Disputes - international none Antarctic Treaty defers claims (see Antarctic Treaty Summary in the Antarctica entry); sections (some overlapping) claimed by Argentina, Australia, Chile, France, New Zealand, Norway, and UK; the US and most other nations do not recognize the maritime claims of other nations and have made no claims themselves (the US and Russia have reserved the right to do so); no formal claims have been made in the sector between 90 degrees west and 150 degrees west
Economic aid - recipient $367 million (1997) (1997) -
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. With the halt of French nuclear testing in 1996, the military contribution to the economy fell sharply. Tourism accounts for about one-fourth of GDP and is a primary source of hard currency earnings. Other sources of income are pearl farming and deep-sea commercial fishing. The small manufacturing sector primarily processes agricultural products. The territory substantially benefits from development agreements with France aimed principally at creating new businesses and strengthening social services. Fisheries in 1998-99 (1 July to 30 June) landed 119,898 metric tons, of which 85% was krill and 14% Patagonian toothfish. International agreements were adopted in late 1999 to reduce illegal, unreported, and unregulated fishing, which in the 1998-99 season landed five to six times more Patagonian toothfish than the regulated fishery. In the 1999-2000 antarctic summer 13,193 tourists, most of them seaborne, visited the Southern Ocean and Antarctica, compared to 10,013 the previous year. Nearly 16,000 tourists are expected during the 2000-01 season.
Electricity - consumption 379.44 million kWh (2000) -
Electricity - exports 0 kWh (2000) -
Electricity - imports 0 kWh (2000) -
Electricity - production 408 million kWh (2000) -
Electricity - production by source fossil fuel: 54%


hydro: 46%


nuclear: 0%


other: 0% (2000)
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Elevation extremes lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m


highest point: Mont Orohena 2,241 m
lowest point:
-7,235 m at the southern end of the South Sandwich Trench

highest point:
sea level 0 m
Environment - current issues NA increased solar ultraviolet radiation resulting from the Antarctic ozone hole in recent years, reducing marine primary productivity (phytoplankton) by as much as 15% and damaging the DNA of some fish; illegal, unreported, and unregulated fishing in recent years, especially the landing of an estimated five to six times more Patagonian toothfish than the regulated fishery, which is likely to affect the sustainability of the stock; large amount of incidental mortality of seabirds resulting from long-line fishing for toothfish

note:
the now-protected fur seal population is making a strong comeback after severe overexploitation in the 18th and 19th centuries
Environment - international agreements - the Southern Ocean is subject to all international agreements regarding the world's oceans; in addition, it is subject to these agreements specific to the Antarctic region: International Whaling Commission (prohibits commercial whaling south of 40 degrees south [south of 60 degrees south between 50 degrees and 130 degrees west]); Convention on the Conservation of Antarctic Seals (limits sealing); Convention on the Conservation of Antarctic Marine Living Resources (regulates fishing)

note:
many nations (including the US) prohibit mineral resource exploration and exploitation south of the fluctuating Polar Front (Antarctic Convergence) which is in the middle of the Antarctic Circumpolar Current and serves as the dividing line between the very cold polar surface waters to the south and the warmer waters to the north
Ethnic groups Polynesian 78%, Chinese 12%, local French 6%, metropolitan French 4% -
Exchange rates Comptoirs Francais du Pacifique francs (XPF) per US dollar - 135.04 (January 2002), 133.26 (2001), 129.44 (2000), 111.93 (1999), 107.25 (1998), 106.11 (1997); note - pegged at the rate of 119.25 XPF to the euro -
Executive branch chief of state: President Jacques CHIRAC of France (since 17 May 1995), represented by High Commissioner of the Republic Michel MATHIEU (since 24 October 2001)


head of government: President of the Territorial Government of French Polynesia Gaston FLOSSE (since 4 April 1991); President of the Territorial Assembly Lucette TAERO (since 17 May 2001)


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 five-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
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Exports $205 million f.o.b. (1999) -
Exports - commodities cultured pearls 50%, coconut products, mother-of-pearl, vanilla, shark meat (1997) -
Exports - partners Japan 62%, US 21% (1999) -
Fiscal year calendar year -
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 -
GDP purchasing power parity - $1.3 billion (2001 est.) -
GDP - composition by sector agriculture: 6%


industry: 18%


services: 76% (1997)
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GDP - per capita purchasing power parity - $5,000 (2001 est.) -
GDP - real growth rate 4% (2001 est.) -
Geographic coordinates 15 00 S, 140 00 W 65 00 S, 0 00 E (nominally), but the Southern Ocean has the unique distinction of being a large circumpolar body of water totally encircling the continent of Antarctica; this ring of water lies between 60 degrees south latitude and the coast of Antarctica, and encompasses 360 degrees of longitude
Geography - note includes five archipelagoes (4 volcanic, 1 coral); 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 the major chokepoint is the Drake Passage between South America and Antarctica; the Polar Front (Antarctic Convergence) is the best natural definition of the northern extent of the Southern Ocean; it is a distinct region at the middle of the Antarctic Circumpolar Current that separates the very cold polar surface waters to the south from the warmer waters to the north; the Front and the Current extend entirely around Antarctica, reaching south of 60 degrees south near New Zealand and near 48 degrees south in the far South Atlantic coinciding with the path of the maximum westerly winds
Highways total: 792 km


paved: 264 km


unpaved: 528 km (2000)
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Household income or consumption by percentage share lowest 10%: NA%


highest 10%: NA%
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Imports $749 million f.o.b. (1999) -
Imports - commodities fuels, foodstuffs, equipment -
Imports - partners France 53%, US 13%, Australia 10% (1999) -
Independence none (overseas territory of France) -
Industrial production growth rate NA% -
Industries tourism, pearls, agricultural processing, handicrafts -
Infant mortality rate 8.95 deaths/1,000 live births (2002 est.) -
Inflation rate (consumer prices) 1.5% (1994) -
International organization participation ESCAP (associate), FZ, ICFTU, SPC, WMO -
Internet Service Providers (ISPs) 2 (2000) -
Irrigated land 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 -
Labor force 70,000 (1996) (1996) -
Labor force - by occupation agriculture 13%, industry 19%, services 68% (1997) (1997) -
Land boundaries 0 km -
Land use arable land: 1.64%


permanent crops: 6.01%


other: 92.35% (1998 est.)
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Languages French (official), Tahitian (official) -
Legal system based on French system -
Legislative branch unicameral Territorial Assembly or Assemblee Territoriale (49 seats - changed from 41 seats for May 2001 election; members are elected by popular vote to serve five-year terms)


elections: last held 6 May 2001 (next to be held NA May 2006)


election results: percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party - People's Rally for the Republic (Gaullist) 28, Independent Front for the Liberation of Polynesia 13, New Fatherland Party 7, other 1


note: one seat was elected to the French Senate on NA September 1998 (next to be held NA September 2007); results - percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party - NA; two seats were elected to the French National Assembly on 9 June-16 June 2002 (next to be held NA 2007); results - percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party - UMP/RPR 1, UMP 1
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Life expectancy at birth total population: 75.23 years


male: 72.88 years


female: 77.69 years (2002 est.)
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Literacy definition: age 14 and over can read and write


total population: 98%


male: 98%


female: 98% (1977 est.)
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Location Oceania, archipelago in the South Pacific Ocean, about one-half of the way from South America to Australia body of water between 60 degrees south latitude and Antarctica
Map references Oceania Antarctic Region
Maritime claims exclusive economic zone: 200 NM


territorial sea: 12 NM
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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 (2002 est.)
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Military - note defense is the responsibility of France -
Military branches no regular indigenous military forces; French Forces (including Army, Navy, Air Force), Gendarmerie -
National holiday Bastille Day, 14 July (1789) -
Nationality noun: French Polynesian(s)


adjective: French Polynesian
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Natural hazards occasional cyclonic storms in January huge icebergs with drafts up to several hundred meters; smaller bergs and iceberg fragments; sea ice (generally 0.5 to 1 meter thick) with sometimes dynamic short-term variations and with large annual and interannual variations; deep continental shelf floored by glacial deposits varying widely over short distances; high winds and large waves much of the year; ship icing, especially May-October; most of region is remote from sources of search and rescue
Natural resources timber, fish, cobalt, hydropower probable large and possible giant oil and gas fields on the continental margin, manganese nodules, possible placer deposits, sand and gravel, fresh water as icebergs, squid, whales, and seals - none exploited; krill, fishes
Net migration rate 3.04 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2002 est.) -
Political parties and leaders 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 of Polynesia or RPR (Tahoeraa Huiraatira) [Gaston FLOSSE]; The New Star (Te Fetia Api) [Boris LEONTIEFF] -
Political pressure groups and leaders NA -
Population 257,847 (July 2002 est.) -
Population below poverty line NA% -
Population growth rate 1.67% (2002 est.) -
Ports and harbors Mataura, Papeete, Rikitea, Uturoa McMurdo, Palmer, and offshore anchorages in Antarctica

note:
few ports or harbors exist on the southern side of the Southern Ocean; ice conditions limit use of most of them to short periods in midsummer; even then some cannot be entered without icebreaker escort; most antarctic ports are operated by government research stations and, except in an emergency, are not open to commercial or private vessels; vessels in any port south of 60 degrees south are subject to inspection by Antarctic Treaty observers
Radio broadcast stations AM 2, FM 14, shortwave 2 (1998) -
Radios 128,000 (1997) -
Railways 0 km -
Religions Protestant 54%, Roman Catholic 30%, other 10%, no religion 6% -
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 (2002 est.)
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Suffrage 18 years of age; universal -
Telephone system general assessment: NA


domestic: NA


international: satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Pacific Ocean)
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Telephones - main lines in use 52,000 (1997) -
Telephones - mobile cellular 5,427 (1997) -
Television broadcast stations 7 (plus 17 low-power repeaters) (1997) -
Terrain mixture of rugged high islands and low islands with reefs the Southern Ocean is deep, 4,000 to 5,000 meters over most of its extent with only limited areas of shallow water; the Antarctic continental shelf is generally narrow and unusually deep - its edge lying at depths of 400 to 800 meters (the global mean is 133 meters); the Antarctic icepack grows from an average minimum of 2.6 million square kilometers in March to about 18.8 million square kilometers in September, better than a sixfold increase in area; the Antarctic Circumpolar Current (21,000 km in length) moves perpetually eastward; it is the world's largest ocean current, transporting 130 million cubic meters of water per second - 100 times the flow of all the world's rivers
Total fertility rate 2.18 children born/woman (2002 est.) -
Unemployment rate NA% -
Waterways none -
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