conventional long form:
French Republic
conventional short form:
France
local long form:
Republique Francaise
local short form:
France
Digraph:
FR
Type:
republic
Capital:
Paris
Administrative divisions:
22 regions (regions, singular - region); Alsace, Aquitaine, Auvergne,
Basse-Normandie, Bourgogne, Bretagne, Centre, Champagne-Ardenne,
Corse, Franche-Comte, Haute-Normandie, Ile-de-France,
Languedoc-Roussillon, Limousin, Lorraine, Midi-Pyrenees,
Nord-Pas-de-Calais, Pays de la Loire, Picardie, Poitou-Charentes,
Provence-Alpes-Cote d'Azur, Rhone-Alpes
note:
the 22 regions are subdivided into 96 departments; see separate
entries for the overseas departments (French Guiana, Guadeloupe,
Martinique, Reunion) and the territorial collectivities (Mayotte,
Saint Pierre and Miquelon)
Dependent areas:
Bassas da India, Clipperton Island, Europa Island, French Polynesia,
French Southern and Antarctic Lands, Glorioso Islands, Juan de Nova
Island, New Caledonia, Tromelin Island, Wallis and Futuna
note:
the US does not recognize claims to Antarctica
Independence:
486 (unified by Clovis)
National holiday:
National Day, Taking of the Bastille, 14 July (1789)
Constitution:
28 September 1958, amended concerning election of president in 1962,
amended to comply with provisions of EC Maastricht Treaty in 1992;
amended to tighten immigration laws 1993
Legal system:
civil law system with indigenous concepts; review of administrative
but not legislative acts
Suffrage:
18 years of age; universal
Executive branch:
chief of state:
President Francois MITTERRAND (since 21 May 1981); election last held
8 May 1988 (next to be held by May 1995); results - Second Ballot
Francois MITTERRAND 54%, Jacques CHIRAC 46%
head of government:
Prime Minister Edouard BALLADUR (since 29 March 1993)
cabinet:
Council of Ministers; appointed by the president on the suggestion of
the prime minister
Legislative branch:
bicameral Parliament (Parlement)
Senate (Senat):
elections last held 27 September 1992 (next to be held September 1995
- nine-year term, elected by thirds every three years); results -
percent of vote by party NA; seats - (321 total; 296 metropolitan
France, 13 for overseas departments and territories, and 12 for French
nationals abroad) RPR 91, UDF 142 (UREI 51, UC 68, RDE 23), PS 66, PCF
16, independents 2, other 4
National Assembly (Assemblee Nationale):
elections last held 21 and 28 March 1993 (next to be held NA 1998);
results - percent of vote by party NA; seats - (577 total) RPR 247,
UDF 213, PS 67, PCF 24, independents 26
Judicial branch:
Constitutional Court (Cour Constitutionnelle)
Political parties and leaders:
Rally for the Republic (RPR), Jacques CHIRAC; Union for French
Democracy (UDF, federation of UREI, UC, RDE), Valery Giscard
d'ESTAING; Republican Party (PR), Gerard LONGUET; Center for Social
Democrats (CDS), Pierre MEHAIGNERIE; Radical (RAD), Yves GALLAND;
Socialist Party (PS), Henri EMMAMUELLI, interim party leader; Left
Radical Movement (MRG), Jean-Francois HORY; Communist Party (PCF),
Robert HUE; National Front (FN), Jean-Marie LE PEN; Union of
Republican and Independents (UREI); Centrist Union (UC); Democratic
Assembly (RDE); The Greens, Antoine WAECHTER, Jean-Louis VIDAL, Guy
CAMBOT; Generation Ecology (GE), Brice LALONDE
Other political or pressure groups:
Communist-controlled labor union (Confederation Generale du Travail -
CGT) nearly 2.4 million members (claimed); Socialist-leaning labor
union (Confederation Francaise Democratique du Travail or CFDT) about
800,000 members (est.); independent labor union (Force Ouvriere) 1
million members (est.); independent white-collar union (Confederation
Generale des Cadres) 340,000 members (claimed); National Council of
French Employers (Conseil National du Patronat Francais - CNPF or
Patronat)
Member of:
ACCT, AfDB, AG (observer), AsDB, Australia Group, BDEAC, BIS, CCC, CDB
(non-regional), CE, CERN, COCOM, CSCE, EBRD, EC, ECA (associate), ECE,
ECLAC, EIB, ESA, ESCAP, FAO, FZ, GATT, G-5, G-7, G-10, IADB, IAEA,
IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICFTU, IDA, IEA, IFAD, IFC, ILO, IMF, IMO, INMARSAT,
INTELSAT, INTERPOL, IOC, IOM, ISO, ITU, LORCS, MINURSO, MTCR, NACC,
NATO, NEA, NSG, OAS (observer), OECD, ONUSAL, PCA, SPC, UN, UNCTAD,
UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNIFIL, UNIKOM, UNOSOM, UNPROFOR, UNRWA, UN
Security Council, UNTAC, UN Trusteeship Council, UNTSO, UPU, WCL, WEU,
WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO, ZC
Diplomatic representation in US:
chief of mission:
Ambassador Jacques ANDREANI
chancery:
4101 Reservoir Road NW, Washington, DC 20007
telephone:
(202) 944-6000
consulate(s) general:
Atlanta, Boston, Chicago, Honolulu, Houston, Los Angeles, Miami, New
Orleans, New York, San Francisco, and San Juan (Puerto Rico)
US diplomatic representation:
chief of mission:
Ambassador Pamela C. HARRIMAN
embassy:
2 Avenue Gabriel, 75382 Paris Cedex 08
mailing address:
Unit 21551, Paris; APO AE 09777
telephone:
[33] (1) 4296-12-02 or 42-61-80-75
FAX:
[33] (1) 4266-9783
consulate(s) general:
Bordeaux, Marseille, Strasbourg
Flag:
three equal vertical bands of blue (hoist side), white, and red; known
as the French Tricouleur (Tricolor); the design and colors are similar
to a number of other flags, including those of Belgium, Chad, Ireland,
Cote d'Ivoire, and Luxembourg; the official flag for all French
dependent areas
@France, Economy
Overview:
One of the world's most developed economies, France has substantial
agricultural resources and a highly diversified modern industrial
sector. Large tracts of fertile land, the application of modern
technology, and subsidies have combined to make it the leading
agricultural producer in Western Europe. Largely self-sufficient in
agricultural products, France is a major exporter of wheat and dairy
products. The industrial sector generates about one-quarter of GDP,
and the growing services sector has become crucial to the economy.
Although French GDP contracted by 0.7% in 1993, the economy showed
signs of life by yearend. GDP growth, however, will remain sluggish in
1994 - perhaps reaching only 1.0%. Rapidly increasing unemployment
will still pose a major problem for the government. Paris remains
committed to maintaining the franc-deutsche mark parity, which has
kept French interest rates high despite France's low inflation.
Although the pace of economic integration within the European
Community has slowed down, integration presumably will remain a major
force shaping the fortunes of the various economic sectors.
National product:
GDP - purchasing power equivalent - $1.05 trillion (1993)
National product real growth rate:
-0.7% (1993)
National product per capita:
$18,200 (1993)
Inflation rate (consumer prices):
2.1% (1993)
Unemployment rate:
12.2% (May 1994)
Budget:
revenues:
$220.5 billion
expenditures:
$249.1 billion, including capital expenditures of $47 billion (1993
budget)
Exports:
$270.5 billion (f.o.b., 1993)
commodities:
machinery and transportation equipment, chemicals, foodstuffs,
agricultural products, iron and steel products, textiles and clothing
partners:
Germany 18.6%, Italy 11.0%, Spain 11.0%, Belgium-Luxembourg 9.1%, UK
8.8%, Netherlands 7.9%, US 6.4%, Japan 2.0%, former USSR 0.7% (1991
est.)
Imports:
$250.2 billion (c.i.f., 1993)
commodities:
crude oil, machinery and equipment, agricultural products, chemicals,
iron and steel products
partners:
Germany 17.8%, Italy 10.9%, US 9.5%, Netherlands 8.9%, Spain 8.8%,
Belgium-Luxembourg 8.5%, UK 7.5%, Japan 4.1%, former USSR 1.3% (1991
est.)
External debt:
$300 billion (1993 est.)
Industrial production:
growth rate -4.3% (1993)
Electricity:
capacity:
110 million kW
production:
426 billion kWh
consumption per capita:
7,430 kWh (1992)
Industries:
steel, machinery, chemicals, automobiles, metallurgy, aircraft,
electronics, mining, textiles, food processing, tourism
Agriculture:
accounts for 4% of GDP (including fishing and forestry); one of the
world's top five wheat producers; other principal products - beef,
dairy products, cereals, sugar beets, potatoes, wine grapes;
self-sufficient for most temperate-zone foods; shortages include fats
and oils and tropical produce, but overall net exporter of farm
products; fish catch of 850,000 metric tons ranks among world's top 20
countries and is all used domestically
Economic aid:
donor:
ODA and OOF commitments (1970-89), $75.1 billion
Currency:
1 French franc (F) = 100 centimes
Exchange rates:
French francs (F) per US$1 - 5.9205 (January 1994), 5.6632 (1993),
5.2938 (1992), 5.6421 (1991), 5.4453 (1990), 6.3801 (1989)
Fiscal year:
calendar year
@France, Communications
Railroads:
French National Railways (SNCF) operates 34,322 km 1,435-mm standard
gauge; 12,434 km electrified, 15,132 km double or multiple track; 99
km of various gauges (1,000-mm), privately owned and operated
Highways:
total:
1,510,750 km
paved:
747,750 km (including 7,450 km of controlled access divided highway)
unpaved:
763,000 km
Inland waterways:
14,932 km; 6,969 km heavily traveled
Pipelines:
crude oil 3,059 km; petroleum products 4,487 km; natural gas 24,746 km
Ports:
coastal - Bordeaux, Boulogne, Brest, Cherbourg, Dunkerque,
Fos-Sur-Mer, Le Havre, Marseille, Nantes, Sete, Toulon; inland - Rouen
Merchant marine:
124 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 3,226,175 GRT/5,109,375 DWT,
bulk 9, cargo 10, chemical tanker 8, container 21, liquefied gas 6,
multifunction large-load carrier 1, oil tanker 37, passenger 1,
roll-on/roll-off cargo 21, short-sea passenger 7, specialized tanker 3
note:
France also maintains a captive register for French-owned ships in the
Kerguelen Islands (French Southern and Antarctic Lands) and French
Polynesia
Airports:
total:
472
usable:
461
with permanent-surface runways:
258
with runways over 3,659 m:
3
with runways 2,440-3,659 m:
37
with runways 1,220-2,439 m:
136
Telecommunications:
highly developed; extensive cable and microwave radio relay networks;
large-scale introduction of optical-fiber systems; satellite systems
for domestic traffic; 39,200,000 telephones; broadcast stations - 41
AM, 800 (mostly repeaters) FM, 846 (mostly repeaters) TV; 24 submarine
coaxial cables; 2 INTELSAT earth stations (with total of 5 antennas -
2 for the Indian Ocean INTELSAT and 3 for the Atlantic Ocean
INTELSAT); HF radio communications with more than 20 countries;
INMARSAT service; EUTELSAT TV service
@France, Defense Forces
Branches:
Army, Navy (including Naval Air), Air Force, National Gendarmerie
Manpower availability:
males age 15-49 14,717,461; fit for military service 12,265,874; reach
military age (18) annually 376,485 (1994 est.)
Defense expenditures:
exchange rate conversion - $33.0 billion, 3.3% of GDP (1993)
@French Guiana
Header
Affiliation:
(overseas department of France)
@French Guiana, Geography
Location:
Northern South America, bordering on the North Atlantic Ocean between
Suriname and Brazil
Map references:
South America, Standard Time Zones of the World
Area:
total area:
91,000 sq km
land area:
89,150 sq km
comparative area:
slightly smaller than Indiana
Land boundaries:
total 1,183 km, Brazil 673 km, Suriname 510 km
Coastline:
378 km
Maritime claims:
exclusive economic zone:
200 nm
territorial sea:
12 nm
International disputes:
Suriname claims area between Riviere Litani and Riviere Marouini (both
headwaters of the Lawa)
Climate:
tropical; hot, humid; little seasonal temperature variation
Terrain:
low-lying coastal plains rising to hills and small mountains
Natural resources:
bauxite, timber, gold (widely scattered), cinnabar, kaolin, fish
Land use:
arable land:
0%
permanent crops:
0%
meadows and pastures:
0%
forest and woodland:
82%
other:
18%
Irrigated land:
NA sq km
Environment:
current issues:
NA
natural hazards:
NA
international agreements:
NA
Note:
mostly an unsettled wilderness
@French Guiana, People
Population:
139,299 (July 1994 est.)
Population growth rate:
4.27% (1994 est.)
Birth rate:
25.83 births/1,000 population (1994 est.)
Death rate:
4.67 deaths/1,000 population (1994 est.)
Net migration rate:
21.54 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1994 est.)
Infant mortality rate:
15.9 deaths/1,000 live births (1994 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:
total population:
75.2 years
male:
71.93 years
female:
78.63 years (1994 est.)
Total fertility rate:
3.5 children born/woman (1994 est.)
Nationality:
noun:
French Guianese (singular and plural)
adjective:
French Guianese
Ethnic divisions:
black or mulatto 66%, Caucasian 12%, East Indian, Chinese, Amerindian
12%, other 10%
Religions:
Roman Catholic
Languages:
French
Literacy:
age 15 and over can read and write (1982)
total population:
82%
male:
81%
female:
83%
Labor force:
23,265
by occupation:
services, government, and commerce 60.6%, industry 21.2%, agriculture
18.2% (1980)
Names:
conventional long form:
Department of Guiana
conventional short form:
French Guiana
local long form:
none
local short form:
Guyane
Digraph:
FG
Type:
overseas department of France
Capital:
Cayenne
Administrative divisions:
none (overseas department of France)
Independence:
none (overseas department of France)
National holiday:
National Day, Taking of the Bastille, 14 July (1789)
Constitution:
28 September 1958 (French Constitution)
Legal system:
French legal system
Suffrage:
18 years of age; universal
Executive branch:
chief of state:
President Francois MITTERRAND (since 21 May 1981)
head of government:
Prefect Jean-Francois CORDET (since NA 1992); President of the General
Council Elie CASTOR (since NA); President of the Regional Council
Antoine KARAM (22 March 1993)
cabinet:
Council of Ministers
Legislative branch:
unicameral General Council and a unicameral Regional Council
General Council:
elections last held 25 September and 8 October 1988 (next to be held
NA); results - percent of vote by party NA; seats - (19 total) PSG 12,
URC 7
Regional Council:
elections last held 22 March 1992 (next to be held NA); results -
percent of vote by party NA; seats - (31 total) PSG 16
French Senate:
elections last held 24 September 1989 (next to be held September
1998); results - percent of vote by party NA; seats - (1 total) PSG 1
French National Assembly:
elections last held 21 and 28 March 1993 (next to be held NA 1998);
results - percent of vote by party NA; seats - (2 total) RPR 1,
independent 1
Judicial branch:
Court of Appeals (highest local court based in Martinique with
jurisdiction over Martinique, Guadeloupe, and French Guiana)
Political parties and leaders:
Guianese Socialist Party (PSG), Elie CASTRO; Conservative Union for
the Republic (UPR), Leon BERTRAND; Rally for the Center Right (URC);
Rally for the Republic (RPR); Guyana Democratic Front (FDG), Georges
OTHILY; Walwari Committee, Christine TAUBIRA-DELANON
Member of:
FZ, WCL
Diplomatic representation in US:
none (overseas department of France)
US diplomatic representation:
none (overseas department of France)
Flag:
the flag of France is used
@French Guiana, Economy
Overview:
The economy is tied closely to that of France through subsidies and
imports. Besides the French space center at Kourou, fishing and
forestry are the most important economic activities, with exports of
fish and fish products (mostly shrimp) accounting for more than 60% of
total revenue in 1992. The large reserves of tropical hardwoods, not
fully exploited, support an expanding sawmill industry that provides
sawn logs for export. Cultivation of crops - rice, cassava, bananas,
and sugar cane - is limited to the coastal area, where the population
is largely concentrated. French Guiana is heavily dependent on imports
of food and energy. Unemployment is a serious problem, particularly
among younger workers.
National product:
GDP - exchange rate conversion - $421 million (1986)
National product real growth rate:
NA%
National product per capita:
$4,390 (1986)
Inflation rate (consumer prices):
4.1% (1987)
Unemployment rate:
13% (1990)
Budget:
revenues:
$735 million
expenditures:
$735 million, including capital expenditures of $NA (1987)
Exports:
$59 million (f.o.b., 1992)
commodities:
shrimp, timber, rum, rosewood essence
partners:
France 52%, Spain 15%, US 5% (1992)
Imports:
$1.5 billion (c.i.f., 1992)
commodities:
food (grains, processed meat), other consumer goods, producer goods,
petroleum
partners:
France 77%, Germany 11%, US 5% (1992)
External debt:
$1.2 billion (1988)
Industrial production:
growth rate NA%
Electricity:
capacity:
92,000 kW
production:
185 million kWh
consumption per capita:
1,450 kWh (1992)
Industries:
construction, shrimp processing, forestry products, rum, gold mining
Agriculture:
some vegetables for local consumption; rice, corn, manioc, cocoa,
bananas, sugar; livestock - cattle, pigs, poultry
Economic aid:
recipient:
Western (non-US) countries, ODA and OOF bilateral commitments
(1970-89), $1.51 billion
Currency:
1 French franc (F) = 100 centimes
Exchange rates:
French francs (F) per US$1 - 5.9205 (January 1994), 5.6632 (1993),
5.2938 (1992), 5.6421 (1991), 5.4453 (1990), 6.3801 (1989)
Fiscal year:
calendar year
@French Guiana, Communications
Highways:
total:
680 km
paved:
510 km
unpaved:
improved, unimproved earth 170 km
Inland waterways:
460 km, navigable by small oceangoing vessels and river and coastal
steamers; 3,300 km navigable by native craft
Ports:
Cayenne
Airports:
total:
10
usable:
10
with permanent-surface runways:
4
with runways over 3,659 m:
0
with runways 2,440-3,659 m:
1
with runways 1,220-2,439 m:
1
Telecommunications:
fair open-wire and microwave radio relay system; 18,100 telephones;
broadcast stations - 5 AM, 7 FM, 9 TV; 1 Atlantic Ocean INTELSAT earth
station
@French Guiana, Defense Forces
Branches:
French Forces, Gendarmerie
Manpower availability:
males age 15-49 40,506; fit for military service 26,394
Defense expenditures:
$NA, NA% of GDP
Note:
defense is the responsibility of France
@French Polynesia
Header
Affiliation:
(overseas territory of France)
@French Polynesia, Geography
Location:
Oceania, Polynesia halfway between Australia and South America
Map references:
Oceania
Area:
total area:
3,941 sq km
land area:
3,660 sq km
comparative area:
slightly less than one-third the size of Connecticut
Land boundaries:
0 km
Coastline:
2,525 km
Maritime claims:
exclusive economic zone:
200 nm
territorial sea:
12 nm
International disputes:
none
Climate:
tropical, but moderate
Terrain:
mixture of rugged high islands and low islands with reefs
Natural resources:
timber, fish, cobalt
Land use:
arable land:
1%
permanent crops:
19%
meadows and pastures:
5%
forest and woodland:
31%
other:
44%
Irrigated land:
NA sq km
Environment:
current issues:
NA
natural hazards:
occasional cyclonic storms in January
international agreements:
NA
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
@French Polynesia, People
Population:
215,129 (July 1994 est.)
Population growth rate:
2.25% (1994 est.)
Birth rate:
27.75 births/1,000 population (1994 est.)
Death rate:
5.27 deaths/1,000 population (1994 est.)
Net migration rate:
0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1994 est.)
Infant mortality rate:
14.8 deaths/1,000 live births (1994 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:
total population:
70.54 years
male:
68.14 years
female:
73.06 years (1994 est.)
Total fertility rate:
3.31 children born/woman (1994 est.)
Nationality:
noun:
French Polynesian(s)
adjective:
French Polynesian
Ethnic divisions:
Polynesian 78%, Chinese 12%, local French 6%, metropolitan French 4%
Religions:
Protestant 54%, Roman Catholic 30%, other 16%
Languages:
French (official), Tahitian (official)
Literacy:
age 14 and over but definition of literacy not available (1977)
total population:
98%
male:
98%
female:
98%
Labor force:
76,630 employed (1988)
@French Polynesia, Government
Names:
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
Digraph:
FP
Type:
overseas territory of France since 1946
Capital:
Papeete
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
Independence:
none (overseas territory of France)
National holiday:
National Day, Taking of the Bastille, 14 July (1789)
Constitution:
28 September 1958 (French Constitution)
Legal system:
based on French system
Suffrage:
18 years of age; universal
Executive branch:
chief of state:
President Francois MITTERRAND (since 21 May 1981); High Commissioner
of the Republic Michel JAU (since NA February 1992)
head of government:
President of the Territorial Government of French Polynesia Gaston
FLOSSE (since 10 May 1991); Deputy to the French Assembly and
President of the Territorial Assembly Jean JUVENTIN (since NA November
1992); Territorial Vice President and Minister of Health Michel
BUILLARD (since 12 September 1991)
cabinet:
Council of Ministers; president submits a list of members of the
Assembly for approval by them to serve as ministers
Legislative branch:
unicameral
Territorial Assembly:
elections last held 17 March 1991 (next to be held March 1996);
results - percent of vote by party NA; seats - (41 total) People's
Rally for the Republic (Gaullist) 18, Polynesian Union Party 12, New
Fatherland Party 7, other 4
French Senate:
elections last held 24 September 1989 (next to be held September
1998); results - percent of vote by party NA; seats - (1 total) party
NA
French National Assembly:
elections last held 21 and 28 March 1993 (next to be held NA March
1998); results - percent of vote by party NA; seats - (2 total)
People's Rally for the Republic (Gaullist) 2
Judicial branch:
Court of Appeal, Court of the First Instance, Court of Administrative
Law
Political parties and leaders:
People's Rally for the Republic (Tahoeraa Huiraatira), Gaston FLOSSE;
Polynesian Union Party includes Te Tiarama, Alexandre LEONTIEFF, and
Pupu Here Ai'a Te Nuneao Ia Ora, Jean JUVENTIN; New Fatherland Party
(Ai'a Api), Emile VERNAUDON; Polynesian Liberation Front (Tavini
Huiraatira), Oscar TEMARU; Independent Party (Ia Mana Te Nunaa), James
SALMON; other small parties
Member of:
ESCAP (associate), FZ, ICFTU, SPC, WMO
Diplomatic representation in US:
none (overseas territory of France)
US diplomatic representation:
none (overseas territory of France)
Flag:
the flag of France is used
@French Polynesia, 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
20% of GDP and is a primary source of hard currency earnings.
National product:
GDP - exchange rate conversion - $1.5 billion (1993 est.)
National product real growth rate:
NA%
National product per capita:
$7,000 (1993 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices):
-0.6% (1991)
Unemployment rate:
10% (1990 est.)
Budget:
revenues:
$614 million
expenditures:
$957 million, including capital expenditures of $NA (1988)
Exports:
$88.9 million (f.o.b., 1989)
commodities:
coconut products 79%, mother-of-pearl 14%, vanilla, shark meat
partners:
France 54%, US 17%, Japan 17%
Imports:
$765 million (c.i.f., 1989)
commodities:
fuels, foodstuffs, equipment
partners:
France 53%, US 11%, Australia 6%, NZ 5%
External debt:
$NA
Industrial production:
growth rate NA%
Electricity:
capacity:
75,000 kW
production:
275 million kWh
consumption per capita:
1,330 kWh (1992)
Industries:
tourism, pearls, agricultural processing, handicrafts
Agriculture:
coconut and vanilla plantations; vegetables and fruit; poultry, beef,
dairy products
Economic aid:
recipient:
Western (non-US) countries, ODA and OOF bilateral commitments
(1970-88), $3.95 billion
Currency:
1 CFP franc (CFPF) = 100 centimes
Exchange rates:
Comptoirs Francais du Pacifique francs (CFPF) per US$1 - 107.63
(January 1994), 102.96 (1993), 96.24 (1992), 102.57 (1991), 99.00
(1990), 115.99 (1989); note - linked at the rate of 18.18 to the
French franc
Fiscal year:
calendar year
@French Polynesia, Communications
Highways:
total:
600 km (1982)
paved:
NA
unpaved:
NA
Ports:
Papeete, Bora-bora
Merchant marine:
3 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 4,127 GRT/6,710 DWT,
passenger-cargo 2, refrigerated cargo 1
note:
a captive subset of the French register
Airports:
total:
43
usable:
41
with permanent-surface runways:
23
with runways over 3,659 m:
0
with runways 2,440-3,659 m:
2
with runways 1,220-2,439 m:
12
Telecommunications:
33,200 telephones; 84,000 radio receivers; 26,400 TV sets; broadcast
stations - 5 AM, 2 FM, 6 TV; 1 Pacific Ocean INTELSAT earth station
@French Polynesia, Defense Forces
Branches:
French forces (including Army, Navy, Air Force), Gendarmerie
Note:
defense is responsibility of France
@French Southern and Antarctic Lands
Header
Affiliation:
(overseas territory of France)
@French Southern and Antarctic Lands, Geography
Location:
Southern Africa, in the southern Indian Ocean, about equidistant
between Africa, Antarctica, and Australia
Map references:
Antarctic Region, Standard Time Zones of the World
Area:
total area:
7,781 sq km
land area:
7,781 sq km
comparative area:
slightly less than 1.5 times the size of Delaware
note:
includes Ile Amsterdam, Ile Saint-Paul, Iles Kerguelen, and Iles
Crozet; excludes Terre Adelie claim of about 500,000 sq km in
Antarctica that is not recognized by the US
Land boundaries:
0 km
Coastline:
1,232 km
Maritime claims:
exclusive economic zone:
200 nm from Iles Kerguelen only
territorial sea:
12 nm
International disputes:
Terre Adelie claim in Antarctica is not recognized by the US
Climate:
antarctic
Terrain:
volcanic
Natural resources:
fish, crayfish
Land use:
arable land:
0%
permanent crops:
0%
meadows and pastures:
0%
forest and woodland:
0%
other:
100%
Irrigated land:
0 sq km
Environment:
current issues:
NA
natural hazards:
Ile Amsterdam and Ile Saint-Paul are extinct volcanoes
international agreements:
NA
Note:
remote location in the southern Indian Ocean
@French Southern and Antarctic Lands, People
Population:
no indigenous inhabitants; note - there are researchers whose numbers
vary from 150 in winter (July) to 200 in summer (January)
@French Southern and Antarctic Lands, Government
Names:
conventional long form:
Territory of the French Southern and Antarctic Lands
conventional short form:
French Southern and Antarctic Lands
local long form:
Territoire des Terres Australes et Antarctiques Francaises
local short form:
Terres Australes et Antarctiques Francaises
Digraph:
FS
Type:
overseas territory of France since 1955; governed by High
Administrator Bernard de GOUTTES (since May 1990), who is assisted by
a 7-member Consultative Council and a 12-member Scientific Council
Capital:
none; administered from Paris, France
Administrative divisions:
none (overseas territory of France); there are no first-order
administrative divisions as defined by the US Government, but there
are 3 districts named Ile Crozet, Iles Kerguelen, and Iles Saint-Paul
et Amsterdam; excludes Terre Adelie claim in Antarctica that is not
recognized by the US
Independence:
none (overseas territory of France)
Flag:
the flag of France is used
@French Southern and Antarctic Lands, Economy