French Polynesia is an overseas collectivity of France in the South Pacific Ocean characterized by volcanic islands, coral atolls, tropical forests, and surrounding lagoons and coral reefs.

French Polynesia Coat of Arms

📍 French Polynesia is an overseas collectivity of France located in the South Pacific Ocean, northeast of New Zealand and east of Australia. It consists of more than 100 islands and atolls spread across a vast area of ocean, with no land borders and surrounded entirely by the Pacific.

French Polynesia’s geography is highly diverse, comprising five main island groups: the Society Islands, Tuamotu Archipelago, Marquesas Islands, Austral Islands, and Gambier Islands. The total land area is about 4,167 square kilometers (1,609 square miles), though the islands are dispersed over millions of square kilometers of ocean. The landscape ranges from high volcanic islands with mountains, waterfalls, and lush forests—such as Tahiti—to low-lying coral atolls with lagoons and reefs. The tropical climate supports rich biodiversity both on land and in surrounding waters. Its remote Pacific location, varied landscapes, and cultural heritage have shaped its development as a center for tourism, fishing, and regional maritime activity.