French Polynesia is an overseas collectivity or country of the French Republic that is comprised of many groups of Polynesian islands. The most well-known of these islands is Tahiti in the Society Islands group, with is also the most populous. French Polynesia is divided into five island groups: the Austral Islands, the Marquesas Islands, the Gambier Islands, the Tuamotu Archipelago, and the Society Islands archipelago, which is made up of the Leeward Islands and the Windward Islands. 67 of the nation's 118 atolls and islands are inhabited. The most populous island is Tahiti, which is part of the Society Islands.
According to the 2012 census, 68.5% of the population lived on Tahiti. The capital city of Papeete, on Tahiti, has a population of 134,000. The country has an overall population density of 76 people per square kilometer (197/square mile), which ranks 130th in the world.
French Polynesia Demographics
The 2007 census found that 87% of the population in French Polynesia were born in the country, 9% were born in metropolitan France, 1% were born in overseas France outside of French Polynesia and 2% were born in foreign countries.
The last census that asked about ethnicity occurred in 1988, at which point 66.5% of the population was ethnically Polynesian, 7% was ethnically mixed Polynesian, 11.9% were European (primarily French), 93% were of mixed Polynesian and French descent (referred to as the Demis) and 4.7% were East Asians (primarily Chinese).
The Chinese, Demis and white population are concentrated on Tahiti, particularly in the capital of Papeete.
The main religion is Christianity. 54% belong to Protestant churches while 30% are Roman Catholic. About 50% of the population of the country belongs to the Maoi Protestant Church. There are also about 22,000 members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (Mormons) and 2,700 Jehovah's Witnesses.
