World Country French Polynesia

About the world country French Polynesia, its location, size, population, and who is in power.

NATIONS OF THE WORLD

FRENCH POLYNESIA

Location: Islands scattered in the Polynesian southern Pacific, south of Hawaii. Size: 1,544 sq. mi. (4,000 sq. km.). Population: 150,000 (80% Polynesian).

Who Really Rules: French Polynesia is a territory of France, with representation in the French National Assembly. Since 1980 all political parties, including the Gaullist party of European French residents, have favored either self-government or complete independence. However, the present government of France adamantly rejects this sentiment. Not only do Tahiti and the other islands produce important tourist income, but Mururoa Atoll is the site of all French nuclear weapons tests.