Page 21 - French Polynesia

ocation and Geography. French Polyne- thousand. al entity by the gradual process of French
conquest and annexation, beginning with
L sia includes 121 islands scattered across Tahiti in 1843 and ending with the annexa-
more than 1,930,500 square miles (five L inguistic Affiliation. A majority of the tion of the Austral group in 1900. French
million square kilometers) in the southern residents speak both French and Tahi-

Pacific Ocean between Australia and South tian, the dominant Polynesian language. On administration and the centralization of

America. The island groups were formed the more isolated islands, older residents authority, jobs, transportation, and services

by undersea volcanoes and include steep continue to speak a local Polynesian lan- in Papeete contributed to the development

volcanic peaks, high islands with fringing guage; and in the isolated Austral Islands, of a national identity.

coral reefs and large lagoons, and coral languages differ from island to island. These N ational Identity. French Polynesian
atolls surrounding submerged volcanoes. identity is more Polynesian than
The capital city, Papeete, is on the island of languages have become more homogene-
ous, and Tahitian is beginning to replace

Tahiti, the largest of these islands and the local languages. French, but many residents are proud of

first to experience European conquest. S ymbolism. The Territory flies both their relationship to French culture and
the French flag and its own flag which feel a kinship with French-speaking cul-
D emography. The population as of July shows a red outrigger canoe on a yellow tures throughout the world. Residents who
2000 is 249,110 on the inhabited is- favor independence from France advocate

lands. Nearly 80 percent of the residents are background over a blue sea. The canoe sym- a return to a more traditional Polynesian

of Polynesian or mixed Polynesian ethnicity, bolizes the Polynesian seafaring tradition. culture.

approximately 12 percent are of European Other cultural symbols relate to the fertility F ood Customs at Ceremonial Occasions.
ancestry and 8 percent are of Chinese of the land (the breadfruit), the beauty of On Saturday, Polynesian families pre-
decent. The population is concentrated in the islands (the tiare gardenia blossom and

the urban and suburban areas of northern the black pearl), and the indigenous culture pare an earth oven with traditional foods

Tahiti, which has nearly 150,000 residents. (the tiki figure). (fish, pork, taro, breadfruit, sweet potato)

Only two other islands, Moorea and Raiatea, E mergence of the Nation. The five archi- to be eaten at large family gatherings on
pelagoès were joined into a new nation- Sunday. Traditional Polynesian food also is
have populations above ten thousand and served at wedding feasts.
many islands have populations below one