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
New Delhi, June 19 (IANS) Expressing condolences to the family and the victims over the loss of lives in the floods in north India, the French envoy Wednesday said his country shared the pain of the Indian people and government.
Vatican City, June 19 (IANS/AKI) Late pope John Paul II could be made a saint, after theologians from the Vatican's Congregation for the Causes of Saints reportedly approved his second miracle.
Eastbourne (England), June 19 (IANS) Second seed Li Na of China defeated French woman Alize Cornet 6-2, 6-4 to reach the second round of the Aegon International here.
Rio de Janeiro, June 19 (IANS) Brazil plans to produce vaccines against the influenza H1N1 virus, Health Minister Alexandre Padilha said.
Johannesburg, June 19 (ANI): Five-time Wimbledon champion Venus Williams has reportedly pulled out of the tournament due to an ongoing lower back injury.
Melbourne, June 18 (ANI): An Australian woman has developed the French accent after she met with a serious car accident, during which she suffered a broken back and jaw.
London, June 17 (ANI): Paris-Saint-Germain (PSG) has offered to buy Tottenham Hotspur winger Gareth Bale in a bid to lure Andre Villas-Boas to the French capital.
London, June 17 (ANI): Lady Gaga is reportedly facing a new 20-million-dollar lawsuit for allegedly stealing another artist's ideas.
London, June 17 (ANI): Serena Williams flaunted her toned figure while on a holiday in Miami to celebrate her French Open win.
London, June 17 (IANS) World No. 2 Andy Murray claimed his third title of the Queen's Club grass court event as he completed his preparation for Wimbledon with victory over Marin Cilic of Croatia here.
Paris, June 17 (IANS/EFE) European aeronautical manufacturers Dassault, EADS and Finmeccanica announced in a statement released Sunday their readiness to launch a program to build observation and medium-altitude long-endurance (MALE) strategic exploration drones.
London, June 17 (ANI): British tennis ace Andy Murray has said he feels ready for Wimbledon after surviving a groin scare and winning the Aegon Championships.
Bangalore, June 16 (IANS) French diplomat Pascal Mazurier, who is on bail in a sexual abuse case, has petitioned the family court here to allow his mother Jacqueline Maille visitation rights to meet his three children staying with his estranged Indian wife Suja Jones.
Tokyo, June 16 (ANI): More than half of Japan's population has opposed the government's move to promote Japan's export of nuclear technologies and expertise, according to a new opinion poll.
Pointe-ŕ-Pitre (Guadeloupe), June 16 (IANS) From nature lovers to history buffs to those who wish to get away 'far from the madding crowd', picturesque Guadeloupe in the French Caribbean with a large Indian immigrant population has it all.
London, June 16 (ANI): Real Madrid sporting director Zinedine Zidane has reportedly urged Tottenham Hotspur winger Gareth Bale to fast-track a move to the Spanish club by asking to leave Tottenham.
London, June 16 (IANS) French tennis player Jo-Wilfried Tsonga's coach Roger Rasheed believes that there is a lot more left in his protege despite his rising age.
London, June 16 (IANS) World No.2 Andy Murray fought back from a set down to beat Jo-Wilfried Tsonga of France and book a place in the final of the Queen's Club grass court championship here.
London, June 15 (ANI): Twitter has been urged to reveal the names of some France-based racist users who have posted anti-Semitic messages, following Paris Court's refusal to consider the firm's appeal not to hand over the user IDs.
London, June 15 (ANI): Former England captain David Beckham has reportedly agreed on a charity deal to donate his whopping 3.4 million pound wages from Paris-Saint-Germain (PSG) to French children's charity houses.
London, June 15 (IANS) Top seed Andy Murray entered the semifinals of the Queen's Club grass court championship for the third time defeating Germany's Benjamin Becker here.
London, June 15 (ANI): Manchester United striker Wayne Rooney might accept Paris-Saint-Germain (PSG) striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic's plea to join him at PSG, where PSG president Nasser Al-Khelaifi has also confessed that he is a fan of Rooney.
London, June 15 (ANI): British tennis ace Andy Murray has said that he believed that an early exit from the French Open may have enhanced his preparation for the Wimbledon, which kicks off in ten days' time.
Paris, June 15 (IANS/WAM) French President Francois Hollande met visiting UAE Vice President and Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum and discussed ways of enhancing the strategic partnership between the two countries.
New Delhi, June 14 (IANS) French design house Lacoste is celebrating the 80th anniversary celebration of the brand and plans to collaborate with nine other luxury French Houses to mark the occasion.
Reunion Island, June 14 (IANS) The signing of an agreement between Indian Oil Corporation and the French island of Reunion for import and distribution of refined petroleum products marks a key milestone in the efforts of the Indian Ocean island to develop ties with India.
London, June 14 (IANS/AKI) Rights group Amnesty International has called for the release of three members of Ukranian feminist group Femen, jailed for a topless protest in Tunisia.
London, June 13 (IANS) Indian tennis pair Mahesh Bhupathi and Rohan Bopanna entered the Aegon Championships men's doubles quarterfinals here Thursday.
Japan, June 13 (ANI): Japan Prime Minister Shinzo Abe might be trying to sell the country's atomic plants abroad, but his wife, Akie, may not support him.
London, June 13 (ANI): Tamara Ecclestone, who was spotted at a London register office on Friday, celebrated her 12 million pound nuptials to Jay Rutland with a four-day French Riviera bash.
Washington, June 13 (ANI): Olivier Martinez has confirmed that his fiance Halle Berry is expecting a baby boy.
New York, June 13 (ANI): Salma Hayek, one of Hollywood's most gorgeous actress', said that she could 'try' to be more beautiful than she is now.
Rome, June 13 (IANS) Roma football club announced they have officially appointed ex-Lille manager Rudi Garcia as their new coach.
Berlin, June 13 (IANS) Bundesliga side Hannover have signed Edgar Prib from relegated side Greuther Fuerth until June 2017.
Los Angeles, June 13 (IANS) Actress Halle Berry is expecting her second baby. Her fiance, French actor Oliver Martinez, has let out the secret that it's going to be a boy for them this time.
New York, June 13 (ANI): Robert Pattinson has been named as the latest face of Dior Homme fragrance, French Luxury house Christian Dior has confirmed.
Moscow, June 13 (IANS/RIA Novosti) A court in Tunisia has jailed three European activists of the Femen group who staged a topless protest in the country last month.
Mumbai, June 12 (IANS) Actress Preeti Gupta who has been seen in shows like "Kahaani Ghar Ghar Kii", says she will shoot with a French director soon.
London, June 12 (ANI): French tennis player Jo-Wilfried Tsonga has said that he is confident of breaking the monopoly of the big stars of tennis and win a Grand Slam like Wimbledon, adding that it is 'now or never' for him since he is already 28 years old.
Washington June 12(ANI): Salma Hayek has revealed that she wears a lot of leather on the red carpet because her French husband, Francois-Henri Pinault loves it.
Madrid, June 11 (IANS) Real Madrid confirmed the permanent signing of Brazilian midfielder Carlos Henrique (Casimiro) on a four-season deal on Monday.
London, June 11 (ANI): World no.2 Andy Murray is dissatisfied over the possibility that he might need to defeat Rafa Nadal, Roger Federer and Novak Djokovic in order to win the Wimbledon next month as his injury lay-off may otherwise rank him World no. 5 despite his triumph at the French Open.
Madrid, June 11 (IANS) Spanish tennis ace Rafael Nadal believes he is playing better tennis than anyone in the world right now, but says he is a lot happier to be winning tournaments than to hold the number one ranking.
Pointe-a-Pitre (Guadeloupe), June 11 (IANS) Legend has it that Maison Zevallos, a large colonial mansion once part of one of the biggest sugar estate on Guadeloupe in the French Caribbean, is haunted by the ghosts of murdered Indian workers.
London, June 10 (ANI): Eva Longoria, who wore a beautiful vibrant aqua Versace gown to the Cannes film festival 2013, has finally shared her beauty tips and tricks for a red carpet event.
Paris, June 9 (IANS) Spaniard Rafael Nadal beat compatriot David Ferrer in straight sets to win his eighth French Open title at Roland Garros here Sunday.
Pointe-a-Pitre (Guadeloupe), June 9 (IANS) With Europe and France hit hard by the financial crisis, the small Indian community of Guadeloupe is keen to renew cultural and economic ties with a resurgent India, from where their forefathers came to the Caribbean islands over 150 years ago.
Pointe-a-Pitre (Guadeloupe), June 9 (IANS) With Europe and France hit hard by the financial crisis, the small Indian community of Guadeloupe is keen to renew cultural and economic ties with a resurgent India, from where their descendants came to the Caribbean islands over a century ago.
Pointe-a-Pitre (Guadeloupe), June 9 (IANS) They are citizens of France but love India and all things Indian and yearn to renew their long lost cultural links with the land of their forefathers. But inflexible rules come in the way.
London, June 9 (ANI): Spanish tennis ace Rafael Nadal has withdrawn from next week's ATP Halle event, as a part of his grass court preparations for Wimbledon.
Pointe-a-Pitre (Guadeloupe), June 9 (IANS) With Europe and France hit hard by the financial crisis, the Indian community of Guadeloupe is keen to renew cultural and economic ties with a resurgent India.
Paris, June 8 (IANS) Top seed Serena Williams defeated defending champion Maria Sharapova in straight sets to win her second French Open crown and 16th Grand Slam singles tennis title here Saturday.
London, June 08 (ANI): Scarlett Johansson is suing another author of a bestselling French novel for featuring a fictional character that resembles her.
London, June 08 (ANI): Tamara Ecclestone is all set to marry her former city trader fiance, Jay Rutland, in a lavish ceremony which could cost her father, Bernie over 12 million dollars.
Paris, June 7 (IANS) Multi-Olympic champions Usain Bolt and former Spanish tennis star Arantxa Sánchez Vicario will award the trophies to the men's and women's singles champions of French Open tennis.
Beijing, June 7 (Xinhua-ANI): Visiting French President Francois Hollande and Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe agreed here Friday to enhance bilateral political and economic relations.
Terre-de-Haut (Guadeloupe), June 7 (IANS) A newly revealed historic site where 35 Indian indentured labourers, including a woman, were incarcerated and left to die would be part of a 1.8 million euro ($2.36 million) restoration plan in Guadeloupe in French West Indies.
Film: "Now You See Me"; Cast: Jesse Eisenberg, Mark Ruffalo, Woody Harrelson, Isla Fisher, Dave Franco, Melanie Laurent, Morgan Freeman, Michael Caine and Michael Kelly; Director: Louis Leterrier; Rating: **1/2
Washington, June 7 (ANI): Golf's world No. 1 Tiger Woods has reclaimed his position as the world's highest-earning athlete, according to Forbes, along with climbing back to the top of golf's rankings in the last 12 months.
Paris, June 6 (IANS) France's unemployment rate rose by 0.3 percentage points to 10.4 percent in the first quarter of this year compared to the last three months of 2012, the national statistical agency Insee said Thursday.
Los Angeles, June 6 (IANS) Hollywood actor Brad Pitt has gifted his actress-girlfriend Angelina Jolie 3,000 pounds worth of slinky underwears for her birthday.
London, June 6 (ANI): Brad Pitt has bought his fiance Angelina Jolie 3,000 pounds worth of knickers and bras from Agent Provocateur for her 38th birthday.
London, June 6 (ANI): Scientists say tiny bubbles of water found in quartz grains in Australia may hold the key to understanding what caused the Earth's first ice age.
Washington, June 6 (ANI): French magazine Closer has lost a court appeal to reprint the Duchess of Cambridge's topless images.
Los Angeles, June 6 (IANS) French designer John Galliano says the chance to design supermodel Kate Moss' wedding dress was like "creative rehab", and it helped him turn his life around.
New Delhi, June 5 (IANS) A benchmark index of Indian equities market closed Wednesday's trade flat, as information technology (IT), technology, media and entertainment (TECk), fast moving consumer goods (FMCG) and consumer durables scrips plunged.
London, June 5 (ANI): Serena Williams has revealed her weakness for macaroons.
London, June 5 (ANI): Medical samples of attack victims in Syria have tested positive for the nerve agent sarin, the British and French governments have revealed.
Moscow, June 4 (IANS/RIA Novosti) President Vladimir Putin said Tuesday he would sign a law banning adoption of Russian children by foreign same-sex couples if parliament passed such a legislation.
Paris, June 4 (IANS) Ahead of World Environment Day, the French Senate has honoured Indian social reformer and Sulabh movement founder Bindeshwar Pathak with the 'Legend of Planet' award for bringing about a toilet revolution in his country and for liberating manual scavenges from the inhuman practice.
Paris, June 4 (IANS) The International Monetary Fund (IMF) Tuesday lowered its forecasts for the French economy by 0.1 percentage point respectively in 2013 and 2014.
Paris, June 4 (IANS/RIA Novosti) Russia's Maria Kirilenko beat Bethanie Mattek-Sands in straight sets to advance to the quarterfinals of the French Open.
Moscow, June 4 (IANS/RIA Novosti) Two-time Grand Slam finalist Elena Dementieva sees coaching youngsters as a likely career path.
Washington, June 3 (ANI): When we talk about childbirth, what comes in our minds is pain, but a new study has revealed that some women also experience what are known as orgasmic or ecstatic births.
Paris, June 2 (IANS) Indo-American pairing of Sania Mirza and Bethanie Mattek-Sands advanced to the women's doubles second round at Roland Garros here Saturday.
Paris, June 1 (IANS) Ninth seeds Leander Paes and Jurgen Melzer were shown the door in the men's doubles second round at the French Open here Saturday.
London, June 1 (IANS) French designer Roland Mouret is not at all impressed with Victoria Beckham's work in the fashion industry and believes she is not a professional in the field.
London, June 1 (IANS) French designer Roland Mouret is not impressed with Victoria Beckham's work in the fashion industry, and believes she is not a professional in the field.
London, Jun. 1 (ANI): Victoria Beckham has been slammed by a fashion rival who told her that she is not a designer.
New York, Jun. 1 (ANI): A ground floor maisonette duplex at 166 Perry St., which is just next door to footie ace Cristiano Ronaldo's model girlfriend Irina Shayk, has been put in the market for 3.3 million dollars.
Beijing, June 1 (Xinhua-ANI): French President Francois Hollande on Friday said Paris has no plan to launch a military operation in Libya.
Washington, Jun. 1 (ANI): Elderly who have been exposed to general anaesthesia are at 35 percent more risk of suffering from dementia, a new research has claimed.
Paris, May 31 (IANS) Top seeds Sania Mirza and Robert Lindstedt were humbled by Cara Black and Aisam-Ul-Haq Qureshi in the mixed doubles first round at the French Open here Friday.
Ankara, May 31 (IANS) Turkish football club Galatasaray has signed a contract with Aurelien Chedjou from French Lille club.
Mumbai, May 31 (IANS) President Pranab Mukherjee Friday called for the revival of India's proud traditions in morality, ethics and social conduct as a tribute to Swami Vivekananda's call for rebuilding India's national character.
Mumbai, May 31 (IANS) Megastar Amitabh Bachchan, who worked with late filmmaker Rituparno Ghosh in "The Last Lear", says he always gave "immense liberty" to his actors, and that he was "never rigid in his directions to the artists".
Johannesburg, May 31 (ANI): Tennis ace Roger Federer has warned players that carrying their mobile phones onto the court for receiving coaching tips can be a serious threat to the game's integrity and regulations.
New York, May 31 (ANI): After centuries of lacking a word for "French kiss," a verb has finally been given its rightful place in the French dictionary.
Paris, May 30 (IANS) French President Francois Hollande has said the European Commission (EC), the executive body of the European Union (EU), cannot "dictate to France what to do" to rebalance its ailing finances.
Paris, May 29 (IANS) World No.3 Roger Federer of Switzerland made short work of India's tennis star Somdev Devvarman defeating him 6-2, 6-1, 6-1 in the men's singles second round of Roland Garros here Wednesday.
Sydney, May 29 (ANI): A player at the French Open tournament had reportedly used his phone to snap a picture of a mark left in the red clay of the court by the ball as a future evidence after he was angered by a line call.
London, May 29 (ANI): Audrey Tautou has revealed that the reason behind her decision to not pursue a career in Hollywood was that she did not want "every single millimeter" of her body to be scrutinized.
Pointe-a-Pitre (Guadeloupe), May 29 (IANS) They came from distant India to verdant Gudaeloupe, a group of French islands in the French West Indies, with dreams in their eyes, only to end up being exploited for endless years.
Madrid, May 29 (IANS) Former Real Madrid defender Ricardo Carvalho signed a contract to join big-spending French side AS Monaco.
Los Angeles, May 29 (IANS) Actor Brad Pitt and his partner Angelina Jolie are keen to move in the "Moneyball" star's parents into their French home. They want their family close to them.
London, May 26 (ANI): World No.1 Novak Djokovic has said that this year's French Open is the only tournament he is interested in winning.
London, May 28 (ANI): Tennis ace Andy Murray has said he is hopeful of playing at Wimbledon following his planned recovery from a chronic back injury that has forced him to skip this year's French Open.
Paris, May 28 (IANS/RIA Novosti) Svetlana Kuznetsova won an all-Russian encounter with Ekaterina Makarova, taking her first-round match at Roland Garros in straight sets.
Paris, May 28 (IANS/EFE) The "boulangerie", the bakery, is perhaps the only small business that has not suffered economic crisis in France, where there are more than 30,000 across the country, 3,000 of them in Paris.
Bangalore, May 27 (IANS) The French government posted Mat Weiss as its space counseller with diplomatic rank in Bangalore to strengthen and expand relations between its space agency and the Indian space agency, headquartered here, an official said Monday.
