Location: Oceania, archipelago in the South Pacific Ocean, about one-half of the way from South America to Australia.
Geographic coordinates: 15° 0' S, 140° 0' W
Coastline km: 2,525 km km
Climate: Tropical, but moderate
Terrain: Includes five archipelagoes (4 volcanic, 1 coral); Makatea in French Polynesia is one of the three great phosphate rock islands in the Pacific Ocean - the others are Banaba (Ocean Island) in Kiribati and Nauru.
Elevation: Highest point: Mont Orohena 2,241 m.
Natural hazards: Occasional cyclonic storms in January
Currency: Comptoirs Francais du Pacifique franc (XPF)
Population: 266,339 (July 2004 est.)
Languages: French & Tahitian
Capital: Papeete
Divisions: None (overseas territory of France), but there are 5 archipelagic divisions named Archipel des Marquises, Archipel des Tuamotu, Archipel des Tubuai, Iles du Vent, and Iles Sous-le-Vent note: Clipperton Island is administered by France from French Polynesia.