French Polynesia Overview
GENERAL
Capital
Papeete (Tahiti).
Geography
As a country located in Oceania listed on estatelearning, French Polynesia consists of 120 islands, which are divided into five archipelagos. The Leeward and Windward Islands, which together are also Society Islands (Archipel de la Société) are mountainous with flat coastal strips. Tahiti is the largest of the Windward Islands, the highest peaks are Mount Orohena (2236 m) and Mount Aorai (2068 m). Moorea, next to Tahiti, is a picturesque island of volcanic origin with long white sandy beaches. Raiatea and Bora-Bora are the largest of the Leeward Islands and have a rather hilly landscape. 298 km east of Tahiti is the Tuamotu Archipelago, which consists of 80 coral atolls. The Marquesas (1497 km northeast of Tahiti) are two archipelagos of volcanic origin, which are divided into a northern and southern group. South of Tahiti are the grassy Austral Islands, a 499 km long chain of islands running from east to west.
Government
French Overseas Zealand (Pays d’outre mer / POM) since 2004. The change of the official status of the Overseas Territory (TOM) to Overseas (pays d’outre-mer) has strengthened the position of the local government and the local president. France is only responsible for foreign policy, justice, defense, internal security and money. The regional legislative assembly Assemblée territoriale (57 members) is elected every five years. Two representatives are sent to the Paris National Assembly and another to the Senate.
Head of state
François Hollande, represented by High Commissioner René Bidal since May 2012, since June 2016.
Head of government
Nuihau Laurey, since September 2014.
Electricity
110 V, 60 Hz (in older hotels); 220 V, 60 Hz (in newer hotels). A French adapter may be required, most of which are available at reception.
ECONOMY
Business etiquette
Business meetings are casual. Business documents are mostly in French. Many business people, especially in the tourism industry, also speak English.
Business hours: Mon-Fri 8 a.m.-1.30 p.m. and 3 p.m.-5.30 p.m.
Economy
Chambre de Commerce, d’Industrie, des Service et des Métiers de Polynésie Française (Chamber of Commerce and Industry of French Polynesia)
BP 118, 41 rue du Docteur Cassiau, Papeete
Tel: 47 27 00.
Internet: www.ccism.pf
Business contacts
Chambre de Commerce, d’Industrie, des Service et des Métiers de Polynésie Française (Chamber of Commerce and Industry of French Polynesia)
BP 118, 41 rue du Docteur Cassiau, Papeete
Tel: 47 27 00.
Internet: www.ccism.pf
COMMUNICATION
Phone
Dial-up remote service.
Phone
Dial-up remote service.
Cellphone
GSM 900. The network operator is Tikiphone SA (Internet: www.vini.pf).
Internet
There are internet cafes in Papeete and Moorea.
Post Office
Airmail to Europe takes between six and ten days.
Post office opening times: Mon-Thu 7 a.m.-6 p.m. and Fri 7 a.m.-2 p.m., Sat 8 a.m.-11 a.m.
At Faaa International Airport: Mon-Fri 5:00 a.m. to 9:00 a.m. and 6:30 p.m. to 10:30 p.m., Sat-Sun 5:00 p.m. to 12:00 p.m. and 6:30 p.m. to 10:30 p.m.
Radio
Since the use of shortwave frequencies changes several times over the course of a year, it is advisable to contact Deutsche Welle customer service directly (Tel: (+49) (0228) 429 32 08. Internet: www.dw-world.de) to request.
SHOP
Overview
Popular souvenirs include wood carvings from the Marquesas, dance costumes, shell jewelry, local perfumes, Monoi Tiare Tahiti (with the scent of Tahiti’s national flower perfumed coconut oil), vanilla beans and colorful patterned Pareu -Substances from which the traditional Pareu – clothes are made.
Shop opening times: Mon-Fri 7.30 a.m.-5 p.m., Sat 7.30 a.m.-11 a.m. Shops in shopping centers are open longer in the evening. No fixed time for lunch breaks.
NIGHTLIFE
Introduction
Papeete is a lively city with a good selection of restaurants, cafes and night clubs. Most hotels offer entertainment programs with traditional dance shows and dance bands.
CULINARY
CULTURE
Religion
Protestant (54%), Roman Catholic (30%) and other Christian religions (10%).
Social rules of conduct
Manners: the more simple lifestyle of the islands can be seen on the typical Fares huts recognize that are built from bamboo and pandanus – roofs have. The usual forms of courtesy should be observed.
Clothing: Local women are dressed in light colored pareus and men in their matching counterpart, but visitors are expected to wear everyday western clothing.
Tipping is not common.
CLIMATE
Best travel time
Tropical climate tempered by sea breezes. There are two main seasons: November – March: warm, high humidity, November – December: frequent rain showers; April – October: cooler and dry (temperatures 22 ° -30 ° C).
COUNTRY DATA
Area code +689 Area (sqkm) 4167 Population 282703 Population density (per sqkm) 68 Population in 2015 Member of the EU No main emergency number 15
