French Polynesia

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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. LOCATION: Oceania, archipelago in the South Pacific Ocean, about one-half of the way from South America to Australia CLIMATE: Tropical, but moderate BORDERS: None More... Tahiti and Her Islands comprise an area officially known as French Polynesia. The islands are scattered over four million square kilometers of ocean in the eastern South Pacific and consists of five archipelagoes: the Society Islands, Austral Islands, Marquesas Islands, Tuamotu atolls and the Mangareva Islands. Tahiti is the largest island in French Polynesia. A 1996 census counted 219,521 people living in French Polynesia, 74 percent of which live in the Windward Island, 12 percent in the Leeward Islands, 7 percent in the Tuamotu archipelago, 3.5 percent in the Marguesas Islands, and 3 percent in the Austral Islands. The Tahitians are a handsome people noted for their hospitality, friendliness and easygoing approach to life.