French Polynesia - Overview

Location:

Oceania, archipelagoes in the South Pacific Ocean about one-half of the way from South America to Australia

Climate:

tropical, but moderate

Population:

278,963 (July 2007 est.)

Capital:

name: Papeete
geographic coordinates: 17 32 S, 149 34 W
time difference: UTC-10 (5 hours behind Washington, DC during Standard Time)

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. In recent years, French Polynesia's autonomy has been considerably expanded.