Overview of Tahiti

Profile

French Polynesia is composed of five archipelagos: Society, Tuamotu, Marquesas, Gambier, and Austral, with a total land area of only 4,167km², but its exclusive economic zone is approximately seven times larger than Japan. The administrative center is Papeete on Tahiti Island, with black pearls, vanilla, and tourism as the main industries. The public sector supported by fiscal transfers from metropolitan France is also a pillar of the economy. The warm oceanic climate, highly transparent lagoons, surfing, and va'a (outrigger canoe) culture attract worldwide attention, while environmental and social challenges including the history of nuclear testing remain.

Official name: French Polynesia (Overseas Collectivity of the French Republic)
Common name: Tahiti
Numeric code: 258
Alpha-3 code: PYF
Alpha-2 code: PF
Population: Approximately 305,000 (2023)
Population density: Approximately 73 people/km²
Primary languages: French, Tahitian
Major religions: Christianity (Protestant, Catholic)
National anthem: La Marseillaise (French national anthem) / 'Ia Ora 'O Tahiti Nui' (Territorial anthem)
Calling code: +689
Internet TLD: .pf

History

After Polynesian settlement, European powers arrived in the 18th century, and sovereignty was transferred to France in 1880. After World War II, autonomy expanded, and since 2004 it has held the status of 'Pays d''outre-mer (POM)'.

People reached Tahiti and Marquesas by canoe voyaging from western Polynesia between the 5th and 8th centuries. Wallis arrived at Tahiti Island in 1767, followed by exploration by Cook and Bougainville. Under the Pomare dynasty, it became a French protectorate in 1842 and was formally colonized in 1880. During World War II, it sided with Free France and established a self-governing government in 1957. Nuclear tests were conducted at Mururoa and elsewhere from 1966 to 1996, with ongoing debates over health damage compensation. Following the 2004 charter revision, it gained extensive autonomy as 'Polynésie française' and was relisted on the UN Non-Self-Governing Territories list in 2013.

Geography & climate

Multi-island sea woven by volcanic high islands and atolls, with mountainous areas covered in tropical rainforest and coastal areas surrounded by turquoise lagoons and coral reefs.

Tropical oceanic climate (hot and humid, trade wind zone)

Area: Oceania / 4167 km²
Capital: Papeete
Largest city: Papeete
Coastal status: Yes

Natural resources

Coral reefs, Black pearl oysters, Tuna resources, Copra, Vanilla, Beautiful lagoons, Deep-sea mineral deposits (undeveloped), Tourism resources, Tropical fruit trees, Whale migration routes, Abundant sunlight, Marine energy

Politics

Government: Decentralized autonomous government as an overseas collectivity (COM) of the French Republic

Economy

Currency: CFP Franc (French Pacific Franc) (XPF)

GDP (nominal): Approximately 6.5 US dollars (2022)

GDP (PPP): Approximately 9 International dollars (2022)

Language & timezone

Primary languages: French, Tahitian

Time zone: UTC−10:00 (Society Islands, Northwestern Tuamotu), UTC−09:30 (Marquesas Islands), UTC−09:00 (Gambier Islands)

Culture & customs

Ethnic groups

Polynesian Tahitians, Marquesans, Tuamotuans, Mangarevans, Australs, Europeans (mainly French), Chinese, Mixed (Demi-Polynesians)

Life expectancy

Approximately 78.5 years

Literacy rate

Approximately 98%

National sports

Va'a (outrigger canoe racing), Surfing, Football, Rugby, Bodyboarding, Paddleboarding