French Polynesia

French Overseas Territory in the South Pacific, consisting of five archipelagos: Windward Islands, Leeward Islands (the two island groups comprising the Society Islands), Tuamotu Archipelago (including Gambier Islands), Tubuai Islands, and Marquesas Islands; total area 3,940 sq km/1,521 sq mi; population (2001 est) 235,000. The capital is Papeete on Tahiti, the main island. Tourism is the mainstay of the economy; other industries are cultivated pearls, copra, coconut oil, and vanilla, all of which provide significant exports.

History
The area was first visited by Europeans in 1595; it became a French protectorate in 1843 and was annexed to France 1880–82. It later became an overseas territory, changing its name from French Oceania in 1958, and became self-governing in 1977. Following demands for independence in New Caledonia in 1984–85, agitation for independence increased also in Polynesia.

The languages spoken are Tahitian (official) and French.