Geography of France/The Pacific

French Polynesia


French Polynesia is an overseas collectivity and France's only overseas country. It encompasses 118 islands and atolls stretching over more than 2,000 kilometers in the South Pacific. French Polynesia is divided into five groups of islands: the Society Islands archipelago, comprising the Windward Islands and the Leeward Islands; the Tuamotu Archipelago; the Gambier Islands; the Marquesas Islands; and the Austral Islands. 67 of French Polynesia's 118 islands are inhabited, with the most populous one being Tahiti, in the Windward Islands. Tahiti makes up nearly 69% of French Polynesia's total population. Papeete is the capital city but Faaa is the most populous, and both are located on Tahiti.

Transportation
Due to the large number of islands, French Polynesia has 49 airports, 13 of which are not paved. Air Tahiti is the main airline which flies between the islands and it has 47 destinations in the Cook Islands and French Polynesia. Air Tahiti Nui is the flag carrier of French Polynesia, and it operates long haul flights to destinations around the world. Both Air Tahiti and Air Tahiti Nui's home base are at Faa'a International Airport, the only international airport in French Polynesia.