French Polynesia Country & Tourist Information

Location
South Pacific.

Area
4167 sq km (1609 sq miles).

Population
252,000 (UN, 2005).

Population Density
60.48 per sq km.

Capital
Papeete (Tahiti Island).
Population: 26,181 (2002).

Government
French Overseas Territory since 1946. 
Recent history: Tahiti and her Islands gained Overseas Country status in 2004. Pro-independence leader Oscar Temaru was elected by the territory’s assembly in March 2005. It was the third change in leadership in 12 months and followed months of wrangling between Mr Temaru and pro-France rival, Gaston Flosse. Mr Flosse’s Government lost a vote of confidence on February 2005, precipitating the poll in which Mr Temaru defeated the pro-France candidate, Gaston Tang Sang by 29 votes to 26.
The French Government is represented by a High Commissioner who controls foreign affairs, defense and justice. In other spheres, the islands have enjoyed internal autonomy since July 1977, which is exercised by an elected Government. This comprises a legislature, the 57-member Territorial Assembly which is directly elected for a five-year term, and an Executive President and Council of Ministers, all of whom are chosen from among the membership of the Assembly.

Language
The official languages are French and Tahitian. Other Polynesian languages are spoken by the indigenous population. English is widely understood, mainly by islanders accustomed to dealing with foreign visitors.

Religion
Approximately 55 per cent Protestant and 34 per cent Catholic.

Time
Tahiti and Her Islands span three time zones:

Gambier Islands: GMT - 9.
Marquesas Islands: GMT - 9.5.
Society Archipelago, Tubuai Islands, Tuamotu Archipelago (except Gambier Islands), Tahiti: GMT - 10.

Electricity
110/220 volts AC, 60Hz. US-style two-pin plugs are in use.

Head of Government
Oscar Temaru, President of the Council of Ministers since 2005.

Head of State
President Jacques Chirac since 1995, represented locally by High Commissioner Michel Mathieu since 2001.

Telephone
IDD is available. Country code: 689. Operator assistance may be required for international calls. There are many phone booths which operate using cards (Telecarte) that can be purchased at the airport, bars, magazine stands and the post office. Hotel telephone charges are extremely high.

Mobile Telephone
The GSM 900 network is not compatible with US mobile phones. Mobile phones are available to rent, which offer better rates than roaming fees.

Internet
There are Internet cafes in Papeete and Moorea.

Media



Post
Airmail to Western Europe takes around six to eight days. The central post office hours (in Papeete): Mon-Fri 0700-1800, Sat-Sun 0800-1100 (outside Papeete, there is a restricted service in the afternoons and at weekends).

Press
There is an English-language weekly, the Tahiti Beach Press.

Radio
RFO Polynesie is a public radio broadcaster, operated by Reseau France Outre-Mer. Private FM stations include Radio 1 and Radio Bleue.

Below are listed Public Holidays for the January 2007-December 2008 period.

2007
1 Jan New Year’s Day.
5 Mar Missionary Day.
6 Apr Good Friday.
9 Apr Easter Monday.
1 May Labor Day.
8 May Victory Day.
17 May Ascension.
28 May Whit Monday.
29 Jun Anniversary of Internal Autonomy.
14 Jul Fall of the Bastille.
15 Aug Assumption.
1 Nov All Saints’ Day.
11 Nov Armistice Day.
25 Dec Christmas Day.

2008
1 Jan New Year’s Day.
5 Mar Missionary Day. 
21 Mar Good Friday. 
24 Mar Easter Monday.
1 May Labor Day.
1 May Ascension.
8 May Victory Day.
12 May Whit Monday.
29 Jun Anniversary of Internal Autonomy.
14 Jul Fall of the Bastille.
15 Aug Assumption.
1 Nov All Saints’ Day.
11 Nov Armistice Day.
25 Dec Christmas Day.

Contact Information:

Diplomatic Representation
Tahiti and Her Islands are officially known as ’French Polynesia’ and constitute a French Overseas Territory; addresses of French embassies, consulates and tourist offices may be found in the France section.

Tahiti Tourisme in the UK
c/o Synergy, 48 Westminster Palace Gardens, Artillery Row, London SW1P 1RL, UK
Tel: (020) 7202 6378.
Website: www.tahiti-tourisme.co.uk

South Pacific Tourism Organization (SPTO) in Fiji
Street address: Level 3, FNPF Place, 343-359 Victoria Parade, Suva, Fiji
Postal address: PO Box 13119, Suva, Fiji
Tel: (679) 330 4177.
Website: www.spto.org

Tahiti Tourisme North America in the USA
300 Continental Boulevard, Suite 160, El Segundo, CA 90245, USA
Tel: (310) 414 8484.
Website: www.tahiti-tourisme.com


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