French Polynesia is located in the Australia and Oceania region at latitude -17.6797 and longitude -149.4068 and is part of the Oceania region.
The DMS coordinates for the center of the country are:
- 17ยฐ 40' 47'' S
- 149ยฐ 24' 24'' W
You can see the location of French Polynesia on the world map below:
Maritime Borders
French Polynesia has no land borders; its 121 islands are scattered across the South Pacific Ocean.
French Polynesia Key Facts
| Country | French Polynesia |
| Coordinates | Latitude: -17.6797 Longitude: -149.4068 |
| Country Codes | Alpha 2: PF Alpha 3: PYF |
| Country Flag Emoji | ๐ต๐ซ |
| Int. Phone Prefix | +689 |
| Capital city | Papeete |
| Continent Subcontinent | Oceania Australia and Oceania |
| Country Area | 4167 sq km |
| Population 2023 | 281,807 World Rank: 180 |
| Median Age | 34 |
| Life expectancy | 84.2 |
| Major languages | French (official), Tahitian |
| UTC/GMT Time | Number of time zones: 1
|
| Internet TLD | .pf |
| Biggest Airport | Faสปaสปฤ International Airport (PPT) |
| Average temperature | 27 ยฐC 81 ยฐF |
| Administrative Divisions | 5 administrative subdivisions |
| Political system | Overseas collectivity of France |
French Polynesia Economy Facts
| World Bank Income Group | High income |
| World Bank Region | East Asia & Pacific |
| Currency | CFP franc (XPF) |
| GDP in 2023 | $6.32 (billions of USD) World Rank: 168 |
| GDP per capita in 2023 | $22,440 World Rank: 71 |
| Major Industries / Economic Sectors | Tourism, black-pearl farming, fishing, agriculture |
| Top 5 Import Countries | France, China, United States, New Zealand, Singapore |
| Top 5 Export Countries | Hong Kong, Japan, France, United States, New Caledonia |
Biggest Cities in French Polynesia
Here are the largest cities in French Polynesia based on data:
| City | Population |
|---|
| Faaa | 29,506 | Papeete | 26,925 | Punaauia | 28,199 |
Map of French Polynesia with the Largest Cities
Other Countries in the Australia and Oceania Region
- Where are the Cook Islands?
- Where are the Marshall Islands?
- Where are the Northern Mariana Islands?
- Where are the Pitcairn Islands?
- Where are the Solomon Islands?
- Where is American Samoa?
- Where is Australia?
- Where is Fiji?
- Where is Guam?
- Where is Kiribati?
- Where is Micronesia?
- Where is Nauru?
- Where is New Caledonia?
- Where is New Zealand?
- Where is Niue?
- Where is Norfolk Island?
- Where is Palau?
- Where is Papua New Guinea?
- Where is Samoa?
- Where is Tokelau?
- Where is Tonga?
- Where is Tuvalu?
- Where is Vanuatu?
- Where is Wallis and Futuna?
Geography
French Polynesia is a sprawling collection of 121 islands and atolls scattered across five archipelagos โ the Society, Tuamotu, Marquesas, Gambier and Austral groups โ spread over a swath of the South Pacific Ocean roughly the size of Western Europe.
Its most famous and populous island is Tahiti, home to the capital Papeete; despite the vast ocean territory, the total land area is only about 4,000 square kilometres.
Is French Polynesia a country?
French Polynesia is an overseas collectivity of France, not an independent nation. It has wide internal autonomy with its own president and assembly, while France retains defence and foreign affairs. Polynesians are French (and EU) citizens, though the territory is not part of the EU.
| Status | Overseas collectivity of France |
| Sovereign state | France |
| Capital | Papeete |
| Population | 281,807 |
| Area | 4167 kmยฒ |
| Currency | CFP franc (XPF) |
| Official language(s) | French (official), Tahitian |
| ISO 3166 code | PF / PYF |
| Calling code | +689 |
| Internet TLD | .pf |
French Polynesia in its region
French Polynesia lies in the heart of the South Pacific, with the Cook Islands its nearest neighbour to the west and thousands of kilometres of open ocean in most directions.
Climate
French Polynesia has a tropical climate warmed year-round to about 27ยฐC (81ยฐF), with a hotter, wetter season from November to April. The islands can be affected by cyclones, though serious ones are relatively rare.
Economy
French Polynesia’s high-income economy depends heavily on tourism and on transfers from mainland France, supplemented by its world-famous black-pearl industry and fishing. The cost of living is high, as most goods are imported.
Administrative divisions
The territory is organised into five administrative subdivisions matching its island groups, with the great majority of people living on Tahiti and nearby Moorea.
