French Polynesia summary

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Below is the article summary. For the full article, see French Polynesia.

French Polynesia, formerly French Oceania, French overseas collectivity, south-central Pacific Ocean. Area: 1,609 sq mi (4,167 sq km): Population: (2024 est.) 285,900. Capital: Papeete, on Tahiti. French Polynesia comprises 130 islands in five archipelagoes: the Society Islands, the Tuamotu Archipelago, the Gambier Islands, the Marquesas Islands, and the Austral Islands. Tahiti, in the Society group, is the largest island. More than two-thirds of the population of French Polynesia lives on Tahiti. Most of the islands came under French control in the 1840s, and in the 1880s the French colony of Oceania was established. It became an overseas territory of France after World War II and was granted partial autonomy in 1977.

Tahiti Summary

Tahiti, largest island of the Îles du Vent (Windward Islands) of the Society Islands, French Polynesia, in the central South Pacific Ocean. Its nearest neighbor is Moorea, 12 miles (20 km) to the northwest. The island of Tahiti consists of two ancient eroded volcanic cones, Tahiti Nui and Tahiti

The Pacific Ocean, with depth contours and submarine features

Pacific Ocean Summary

Pacific Ocean, body of salt water extending from the 60° S parallel in the south to the Arctic in the north and lying between the continents of Asia and Australia on the west and North America and South America on the east. Of the three major oceans, the Pacific is by far the largest, occupying