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French Polynesia: Quick Facts

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Sea-Tac airport is adding direct flights to 2 overseas cities. See ticket prices • Oct. 22, 2026, 3:00 AM ET (The Tacoma News Tribune)

Facts

Also Known As Pays d’Outre-Mer de la Polynésie française • Polynesia Farani • Overseas Country of French Polynesia
Head Of Government President: Moetai Brotherson
Capital Papeete
Population (2026 est.) 280,000
Head Of State President of France: Emmanuel Macron, represented by High Commissioner: Alexandre Rochatte
Official Language French2
Official Religion none
Official Name Pays d’Outre-Mer de la Polynésie française (French) (Overseas Country of French Polynesia)1
Total Area (Sq Km) 4,167
Total Area (Sq Mi) 1,609
Monetary Unit CFP franc (CFPF)
Population Rank (2026) 186
Population Projection 2030 305,000
Density: Persons Per Sq Mi (2026) 174
Density: Persons Per Sq Km (2026) 67.2
Urban-Rural Population Urban: (2024) 62.4% • Rural: (2024) 37.6%
Life Expectancy At Birth Male: (2024) 74.5 years • Female: (2024) 79.1 years
Gni (U.S.$ ’000,000) (2024) 6,743
Gni Per Capita (U.S.$) (2024) 23,930
Political Status overseas collectivity (France) with one legislative house (Assembly [57])
1French Polynesia in Tahitian is Polynesia Farani. The Tahitian language provides the fundamental element of cultural identity per article 57 of the Statute of Autonomy.2The Tahitian language provides the fundamental element of cultural identity per article 57 of the Statute of Autonomy.

Photos and Videos

Flag of French Polynesia
Map of French Polynesia in the South Pacific Ocean, showing major island groups including the Society Islands, Tuamotu Archipelago, Marquesas Islands, Gambier Islands, and Tubuai Islands. An inset highlights the island of Tahiti and its capital, Papeete, along with nearby Moorea. Islands, key cities, and physical features are labeled.
Map of the South Pacific region highlighting French Polynesia in orange, showing its location relative to surrounding island nations and territories such as Fiji, Samoa, the Cook Islands, American Samoa, and Pitcairn, as well as major landmasses including Australia, New Zealand, and Papua New Guinea.
Mount Rotui
Society Islands
Aerial view of Bora-Bora showing green volcanic peaks surrounded by a turquoise lagoon and a narrow strip of land, with deep blue ocean beyond, in French Polynesia.
Bora-Bora, Society Islands
Population-density map of Pacific island countries and territories, with darker shading indicating more people per square kilometer. Naoero is the most densely populated, while many larger island groups, including Papua New Guinea, the Solomon Islands, Vanuatu, and French Polynesia, have lower densities.
Bora-Bora, French Polynesia
Paul Gauguin Museum
The rich ecosystem of the South Pacific atolls
Exploring Bora-Bora: A South Pacific paradise
Life at a South Pacific shark nursery
See All Videos, Images and Interactives →

Related Topics and References

Topics

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Map of the Pacific Ocean showing depth contours in varying shades of blue, major submarine features such as trenches, ridges, and basins labeled throughout the ocean, and neighboring landmasses including Asia, Australia, North and South America. Principal cities along the Pacific rim and island groups are marked, along with international boundaries.
Pacific Ocean
body of water
moai statue, Easter Island
Polynesian culture
cultural region, Pacific Ocean
Political map of Australia and Oceania showing Australia, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, and numerous Pacific island nations and territories. Countries and territories such as Fiji, Samoa, Tonga, Solomon Islands, Vanuatu, and Kiribati are labeled, along with territories administered by the United States, United Kingdom, France, and New Zealand. Surrounding bodies of water, including the Pacific Ocean, Coral Sea, and Tasman Sea, are also marked.
Oceania
region, Pacific Ocean
Waterfront view of Papeete, Tahiti, with buildings and palm trees along the shore, lush green hills in the background, and blue sky with scattered clouds above.
Papeete
French Polynesia
Papeete
Tahiti
island, French Polynesia
Hiva Oa
Marquesas Islands
islands, French Polynesia
Kon-Tiki raft en route to Tuamotu Archipelago
Tuamotu Archipelago
islands, French Polynesia
Visit Rurutu, French Polynesia, and watch humpback whales
Tubuai Islands
archipelago, French Polynesia
Mururoa atoll, French Polynesia
Mururoa
island, French Polynesia
Bora-Bora
Îles Sous le Vent
islands, French Polynesia
Nuku Hiva
Nuku Hiva
island, French Polynesia
Bora-Bora, Society Islands
Bora-Bora
island, French Polynesia
Island of Raiatea
Raiatea
island, French Polynesia
default image
Îles du Vent
islands, French Polynesia
Hiva Oa, Marquesas Islands, French Polynesia
Hiva Oa
island, French Polynesia

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