Everything you need to know about French Polynesia: news, reviews, in-depth analysis, opinion and more
French Polynesia: French Polynesian Archipelago in the Pacific Ocean
The Polynesians were the first inhabitants of Marquesas Islands in around 300 AD. In the year 1521, a Portuguese explorer sighted this island followed by Dutch and then Britishers. The French colonists came around 1842 and took control of the French Polynesian archipelago by ousting the English settlers. In 1880, France took over Tahiti and then changed its status from a protectorate to colony. In 1946, the inhabitants of the islands were granted French citizenship. And in 1957, the status of the islands was changed from an overseas territory to the present name.
French Polynesia Fast Facts :
French Polynesia Geography, Climate and Economy :
Geographically, French Polynesia comprises both high and low rugged mountain ranges with reefs. It is made up of a number of islands, which are scattered over 2,500,000 km of ocean. The largest and most populated is Tahiti. The lowest point is at Pacific Ocean while the highest is Mount Orohena at a height of 2,241m.
The climate of French Polynesia is relatively tropical and mostly remains temperate. The islands receive rainfall in the months of October and March. The winter lasts from May to October while the summers are from November to April with humid and warm temperature.
Since 1962, when French military personnel were stationed here the economy of French Polynesia changed from subsistence one to a more diversified and evolved one. Though, the Polynesians enjoy a higher standard of living the issue of unemployment is still high as the wealth resources are distributed unevenly. Tourism also forms a considerable part of the economy. The natural resources include cobalt, hydropower, fish and timber.
Culture and Cuisine of French Polynesia :
The cultural influences of Polynesians, English and French are predominantly visible through the islander's artwork, dance, music and cuisines. Sculpture is one of the foremost arts of French Polynesia. The locals are fond of music and the music instruments include pahu and toere drums. Besides this, customary dancing also forms a part of their tradition.
The culinary tradition of French Polynesia combines the Italian and Chinese influences. The traditional practice of cooking food in pit ovens is still followed. In local language this kind of oven is called an ahimaa and the feast is called tamaaraa. Some of the popular dishes include Fafa, Poe and Poisson cru, while the local drinks are Noni Juice and Hinano.
Tourist Sites in French Polynesia:
Papeete, the capital city of French Polynesia located on Tahiti is the major port of the islands. It's the center of shipping and marketing with all means of water transportation. Tahiti, an important island has all means of entertainment as there is a place called Lagoonarium that features a popular tourist site. Bora Bora is yet another island which is famous for its enchanting surroundings.
Some other Tourist Sites are:
• Rangiroa
• Route Côtière
• Cathédrale Notre-Dame de Papeete
• Le Parc Bougainville
• Église de Paofai
• Monument du Général de Gaulle
• Musée de la Perle
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Moscow, May 3 (IANS/RIA Novosti) The Renault-Nissan alliance and Russian Technologies state corporation will set up a joint venture company which will have a 74.5 percent stake in Russia's largest car maker AvtoVAZ, Renault Russia said Thursday.
Paris, May 3 (IANS) French President Nicolas Sarkozy and Socialist challenger Francois Hollande went through a fierce verbal battle in a prime-time televised debate that lasted for almost three hours Wednesday night.
London, May 3 (IANS) Real Madrid won the Spanish soccer league title for the 32nd time, their first time in four years. It was also coach Jose Mourinho's first here and seventh in four different countries.
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London, May 2(ANI): Disney's Club Penguin website has introduced a new chat system that would enable children to converse online in Spanish, French, Portuguese and German without knowing a word of any of those languages, as a part of an upgrade.
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Bogota, May 2 (IANS/EFE) Colombia's FARC guerrillas admitted Tuesday that they are holding French journalist Romeo Langlois, who disappeared three days ago in the middle of a firefight between security forces and the guerrillas in the southern province of Caqueta.
Paris, May 1 (IANS) Thousands of people marched through the main cities of France Tuesday to express their opposition to the government's austerity plan.
London, May 1 (ANI): Johnny Depp has revealed that it was his fascination with vampires that inspired the creation of his new movie 'Dark Shadows'.
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Paris, May 1 (ANI): French President Nicolas Sarkozy has reportedly said that he would sue a website that claimed slain Libyan dictator Muammar Gaddafi offered to help fund his 2007 election campaign.
London, May 1 (ANI): Carla Bruni is under so much stress due to the pressure of the French presidential election that she has stopped breast-feeding her baby daughter, a France's magazine has claimed.
London, April 30 (IANS) Being nice to your boss always pays, including better prospects and promotions, even if your are neither too bright nor suitable for the job, according to an international business survey.
London, Apr 30 (ANI): Simon Cowell has been linked with the French beauty alleged to have bedded John Terry.
Sydney, Apr 30 (ANI): Monica Bellucci believes that wrinkles are better than having a "plastic face".
Buenos Aires, April 30 (IANS) Citroen's French racer Sebastien Loeb won the Rally Argentina for the seventh time, coming in 15.2 seconds ahead of teammate Mikko Hirvonen of Finland in the fifth stop of the 2012 World Rally Championship.
Paris, Apr 30 (ANI): Shamed former International Monetary Fund (IMF) chief Dominique Strauss-Kahn has accused The Guardian newspaper of 'fabricating an interview' in which he accused enemies linked to Nicolas Sarkozy of destroying his bid for French presidency.
London, April 29 (IANS) A document has been made public in Paris that says French President Nicolas Sarkozy received 50 million euros (around $65 million) from slain Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi that propelled Sarkozy to power in 2007, the Daily Mail reported.
Bogota, Apr 28 (Xinhua-ANI): A French journalist went missing in Colombia on Saturday after an attack launched by leftist rebels on an army column killed four people, military officials said.
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Libreville (Gabon), April 29 (IANS) The Gabonese Football Federation confirmed that Portuguese Paulo Duarte will replace Gernot Rohr as head coach of Gabon.
London, Apr 29 (ANI): French President Nicolas Sarkozy's campaign spokesperson has denied allegations that he accepted 42 million pounds from slain Libyan dictator Muammar Gaddafi for his 2007 election campaign.
Chennai, April 29 (IANS) India will ferry two foreign satellites - French and Japanese - on board its Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV-C21) rocket in August this year for a price, said a senior official.
London, Apr 29 (ANI): Nicolas Sarkozy's hopes of being re-elected as the French President have rocked by new reports suggesting he accepted a 42 million pound funding from slain Libyan dictator Muammar Gaddafi for his 2077 election campaign.
London, April 28 (IANS) Dominique Strauss-Kahn, the former head of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) who was under investigation for sexually assaulting a hotel maid in the US, accused his political enemies linked to President Nicolas Sarkozy for destroying his bid for presidency, The Guardian has reported.
Berlin, April 28 (IANS) Germany's No.1 tennis player Andrea Petkovic ruptured her ligaments and will be sidelined for three months to miss both the French Open and Wimbledon.
Washington, Apr 28 (ANI): Molly Ringwald has revealed that the secret behind her sweet, girl-next-door image is drinking Kristen Stewart's blood.
New Delhi, April 28 (IANS) Demolished buildings, piles of bricks, an odd tree and colonial style homes arranged in artistic shapes are the symbols of new age 'land art' for a handful of contemporary artists from the West who have made India their muse.
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Paris, Apr 28 (ANI): Shamed former International Monitory Fund (IMF) chief Dominique Strauss-Kahn has accused political allies linked to French President Nicolas Sarkozy of orchestrating the New York hotel maid sex scandal to prevent him from running for the presidency.
Washington, Apr 27 (ANI): Justin Bieber wouldn't tie the knot with girlfriend Selena Gomez anytime soon because he thinks he is too young.
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Paris, April 22 (IANS) Here are key facts on France, where voting in the first round of the 2012 French presidential election took place Sunday.
Paris, April 22 (IANS) The first round of the 2012 French presidential election kicked off in France Sunday.
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