Population: 270,485 (July 2005 est.)

Capital: Papeete

Languages: French 61.1% (official), Polynesian 31.4% (official), Asian languages 1.2%, other 0.3%, unspecified 6% (2002 census)

Religions: Protestant 54%, Roman Catholic 30%, other 10%, no religion 6%

Government: NA

Climate: tropical, but moderate

Terrain: mixture of rugged high islands and low islands with reefs

Geography: includes five archipelagoes (4 volcanic, 1 coral); Makatea in French Polynesia is one of the three great phosphate rock islands in the Pacific Ocean - the others are Banaba (Ocean Island) in Kiribati and Nauru

Ethnic groups: Polynesian 78%, Chinese 12%, local French 6%, metropolitan French 4%

Economy: Since 1962, when France stationed military personnel in the region, French Polynesia has changed from a subsistence agricultural economy to one in which a high proportion of the work force is either employed by the military or supports the tourist industry. With the halt of French nuclear testing in 1996, the military contribution to the economy fell sharply. Tourism accounts for about one-fourth of GDP and is a primary source of hard currency earnings. Other sources of income are pearl farming and deep-sea commercial fishing. The small manufacturing sector primarily processes agricultural products. The territory benefits substantially from development agreements with France aimed principally at creating new businesses and strengthening social services.

GDP per capita: purchasing power parity - $17,500 (2003 est.)

GDP real growth: NA% (2001 est.)

Unemployment rate: 11.8% (1994)

Internet country code: .pf

Dial code: +689