Overseas departments and territories of France
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The French Overseas Departments and Territories (French: départements d'outre-mer and territoires d'outre-mer or DOM-TOM [dɔmˈtɔm][1]) consist broadly of French-administered territories outside of the European continent. These territories have varying legal status and different levels of autonomy, although all have representation in the Parliament of France (except those with no permanent inhabitants), and the right to vote in elections to the European Parliament. The French Overseas Departments and Territories include island territories in the Atlantic, Pacific and Indian oceans, a territory on the South American coast, and several periantarctic islands as well as an extensive claim in Antarctica. 2,624,505 people lived in the French Overseas Departments and Territories in January 2009.[2]
From a legal and administrative standpoint, departments are very different from territories: according to the French constitution, French laws and regulations generally apply (civil code, penal code, administrative law, social laws, tax laws et cetera), in departments as in the mainland. However, specific laws and regulations can be adapted to their specific situation. In territories, the principle is the opposite: territories are governed by autonomy statutes that allow them to make their own laws, except for some specific areas (like defense, international relations, international trade and currency, courts and administrative law), as provided in the autonomy statute, that are reserved to the central government and its local appointee.
Each inhabited French territory, metropolitan or overseas, is represented in both the French National Assembly and the French Senate (which make up the French Parliament). The overseas departments and territories are governed by local elected assemblies and by the French Parliamnent and French Government (where a cabinet member, the Minister of Overseas France, is in charge of issues related to the overseas departments and territories).
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[edit] Varying constitutional statuses
[edit] Overseas Departments and Overseas Regions
- Guadeloupe (since 1946)
- Martinique (since 1946)
- French Guiana (since 1946)
- Réunion (since 1946)
[edit] Overseas Collectivities
This category was created with the constitutional reform on 28 March 2003. Each collectivity has its own statutory laws.
- French Polynesia (1946-2003: overseas territory), since 2003: Overseas collectivity. Its new status of 2004 gives it the particular designation of overseas country (French: pays d'outre-mer), but the Constitutional Council of France judged that it was just a designation, not a particular status.
- Mayotte (1976-2003: sui generis overseas territory, 2001-2003: with the designation departmental community), since 2003: Overseas community. Mayotte has kept its particular designation of departmental community, which is not a particular status. On 2009-03-29, its population voted yes to becoming an oversea department in 2011.
- Saint Pierre and Miquelon (1976-1985: overseas department, 1985-2003: sui generis overseas territory, since 2003: Overseas collectivity. Saint Pierre and Miquelon is still called collectivité territoriale de Saint-Pierre-et-Miquelon).
- Wallis and Futuna (1961-2003: overseas territory, since 2003: Overseas collectivity. It is still commonly referred as a territoire (Territoire des îles Wallis et Futuna).
[edit] Saint Martin and Saint Barthélemy
In 2003 the population of Saint Martin and Saint Barthélemy voted in favour of secession from Guadeloupe in order to form separate overseas collectivities of France.[3] On February 7, 2007, the French Parliament passed a bill granting COM status to both Saint Barthélemy and neighbouring Saint Martin. [4] The new status took effect on 22 February 2007 when the law was published in the Journal Officiel.[5] They remain part of the European Union, as explicitly stated in the Treaty of Lisbon.[6]
[edit] Sui Generis Collectivity
- New Caledonia (1946-1999: overseas territory )
New Caledonia has a unique status and is not a territorial collectivity, unlike all other French subdivisions. As a result of the 1998 Nouméa Accord, New Caledonians will vote on an independence referendum scheduled between 2014 and 2019. This referendum will determine whether the territory remains a part of the French Republic as an overseas collectivity, or whether it will become an independent nation. The accords also specify a gradual devolution of powers to the local New Caledonian assembly.
[edit] Overseas Territory
- French Southern and Antarctic Lands (Terres Australes et Antarctiques Françaises; overseas territory of France since 1956). According to law 2007-224 of February 21, 2007, the Scattered Islands constitute the 5th district of TAAF. It is currently the only overseas territory.
[edit] Overseas Country
The status of overseas country (French: Pays d'outre-mer), projected for French Pacific dependencies, was finally never created. The 2004 status of French Polynesia gives it this designation, but also recalls that it belongs to the category of overseas communities. The Constitutional Council of France confirmed that the designation of overseas country had no legal consequences. Since its status has no name and since its parliament can make local laws, New Caledonia is sometimes incorrectly termed an overseas country.
[edit] Minor Territories
As state private property, France also owns Clipperton Island, a remote island in the Pacific Ocean.
[edit] Political representation in the French Parliament
With 2,624,505 inhabitants in 2008, the French overseas departments and territories account for 4.0% of the population of the French Republic.[2] They enjoy a corresponding representation in the two chambers of the French Parliament.
[edit] Representation in the National Assembly
In the 13th Legislature (2007-2012), the French overseas departments and territories are represented by 22 deputies in the French National Assembly, accounting for 3.8% of the 577 deputies in the National Assembly:
- Réunion: 5 deputies
- Guadeloupe: 4 deputies
- Martinique: 4 deputies
- French Guiana: 2 deputies
- French Polynesia: 2 deputies
- New Caledonia: 2 deputies
- Mayotte: 1 deputy
- Saint Pierre and Miquelon: 1 deputy
- Wallis and Futuna: 1 deputy
- Saint Barthélemy: still represented by the deputy of Guadeloupe's 4th constituency, doesn't have its own deputy yet
- Saint Martin: still represented by the deputy of Guadeloupe's 4th constituency, doesn't have its own deputy yet
[edit] Representation in the Senate
Since September 2008, the French overseas departments and territories are represented by 19 senators in the French Senate, accounting for 5.5% of the 343 senators in the Senate:
- Guadeloupe: 3 senators
- Réunion: 3 senators
- French Guiana: 2 senators
- French Polynesia: 2 senators
- Martinique: 2 senators
- Mayotte: 2 senators
- New Caledonia: 1 senator
- Saint Barthélemy: 1 senator
- Saint Martin: 1 senator
- Saint Pierre and Miquelon: 1 senator
- Wallis and Futuna: 1 senator
[edit] List of French Overseas Territories
[edit] Inhabited departments and collectivities
Name | Capital | Population | Land area (km²) | Status | Location | Notes |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
French Guiana | Cayenne | 221,500 (Jan. 2008)[7] | 83,534 or 91,000[8] | Overseas department / region | South America | |
French Polynesia | Papeete | 259,596 (Aug. 2007)[9] | 4,167 | Overseas collectivity | South Pacific Ocean | |
Guadeloupe | Basse-Terre | 405,500 (Jan. 2008)[7] | 1,628 | Overseas department / region | Antilles | |
Martinique | Fort-de-France | 402,000 (Jan. 2008)[7] | 1,128 | Overseas department / region | Antilles | |
Mayotte | Mamoudzou | 186,452 (July 2007)[10] | 374 | Overseas collectivity | Africa (Mozambique Channel) |
Voted on March 29 2009 in favour of attaining overseas department / region status. That status will become effective in 2011. Also claimed by Comoros |
New Caledonia | Nouméa | 244,410 (Jan. 2008)[11] | 18,575 | Sui generis collectivity | South Pacific Ocean | Referendum for independence in 2014. |
Réunion | Saint-Denis | 802,000 (Jan. 2008)[7] | 2,512 | Overseas department / region | Africa (Indian Ocean) |
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Saint Barthélemy | Gustavia | 8,450 (Jan. 2007)[12] | 21 | Overseas collectivity | Antilles | Detached from Guadeloupe on 22 February 2007. |
Saint Martin | Marigot | 35,263 (Jan. 2006)[13] | 53 | Overseas collectivity | Antilles | Detached from Guadeloupe on 22 February 2007. |
Saint Pierre and Miquelon | Saint-Pierre | 6,125 (Jan. 2006)[13] | 242 | Overseas collectivity | South East of Canada | |
Wallis and Futuna | Mata-Utu | 13,484 (Jul. 2008)[14] | 274 | Overseas collectivity | South Pacific Ocean |
Overall Summary | ||
---|---|---|
Status | Population (Jan. 2009)[2] | Land area (km²) |
Overseas Departments / Regions | 1,854,505 | 91,847 |
Overseas Collectivities & New Caledonia | 770,000 | 23,632 |
Total | 2,624,505 | 120,049 |
[edit] Uninhabited lands
(Lands generally uninhabited, except by researchers in scientific stations)
Name | Capital | Land area (km²) | Status | Location | Notes |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Bassas da India | - | 1 | TAAF district | Africa (Mozambique Channel) |
Claimed by Madagascar |
Clipperton | - | 7 | French state private property | West of Mexico | Claimed by Mexico |
Crozet Islands | Alfred Faure | 352 | TAAF district | South Indian Ocean | |
Europa | - | 28 | TAAF district | Africa (Mozambique Channel) |
Claimed by Madagascar |
Glorioso Islands | - | 5 | TAAF district | Indian Ocean | Claimed by Comoros, Madagascar and Seychelles |
Juan de Nova | - | 4,4 | TAAF district | Africa (Mozambique Channel) |
Claimed by Madagascar |
Kerguelen Islands | Port-aux-Français | 7,215 | TAAF district | South Indian Ocean | |
Saint-Paul Island and Amsterdam Island |
Martin-de-Viviès | 66 | TAAF district | Indian Ocean | |
Tromelin Island | - | 1 | TAAF district | Indian Ocean | Claimed by Mauritius |
[edit] Antarctica
Name | Capital | Land area (km²) | Status | Location | Notes |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Adélie Land | Dumont d'Urville Station | 432,000 | TAAF district | Antarctica | Antarctic Treaty System limiting sovereignty |
[edit] Largest cities in overseas France
Ranked by population in the urban area:
- Pointe-à-Pitre–Les Abymes (Guadeloupe): 171,773 inhabitants (in 1999)
- Saint-Denis (Réunion): 158,139 (in 1999)
- Nouméa (New Caledonia): 146,245 (in 2004)
- Fort-de-France (Martinique): 134,727 (in 1999)
- Saint-Pierre (Réunion): 129,238 (in 1999)
- Papeete (French Polynesia): 127,635 (in 2002)
- Saint-Paul (Réunion): 87,712 (in 1999)
- Cayenne (French Guiana): 66,149 (in 1999)
[edit] Further reading
- Frédéric Monera, L'idée de République et la jurisprudence du Conseil constitutionnel - Paris : L.G.D.J., 2004 [1] [2];
[edit] See also
- French colonial empire
- Administrative divisions of France
- Government of France
- Islands controlled by France in the Indian and Pacific oceans
- Communes in France
- Outremer
[edit] References
- ^ About.com, Definition of les DOM-TOM
- ^ a b c INSEE, Government of France. "Bilan démographique 2008". http://www.insee.fr/fr/themes/document.asp?ref_id=IP1220®_id=0#inter1. Retrieved on 2009-01-13. (French)
- ^ "French Caribbean voters reject change" (HTML). Caribbean Net News. 2003-12-09. http://www.caribbeannetnews.com/2003/12/09/voters.htm. Retrieved on 2007-02-09. "However voters on the two tiny French dependencies of Saint-Barthelemy and Saint-Martin, which have been administratively attached to Guadeloupe, approved the referendum and are set to acquire the new status of "overseas collectivity"."
- ^ Magras, Bruno (2007-02-16). "Letter of Information from the Mayor to the residents and non-residents, to the French and to the foreigners, of Saint Barthelemy" (PDF). St. Barth Weekly. p. 2. http://www.st-barths.com/jsb/pdf_files/weekly108.pdf. Retrieved on 2007-02-18. "On February 7 of this year, the French Parliament adopted the law granting Saint Barthelemy the Statute of an Overseas Collectivity."
- ^ "Saint-Barth To Become An Overseas Collectivity" (PDF). St. Barth Weekly. 2007-02-09. p. 2. http://www.st-barths.com/jsb/pdf_files/weekly107.pdf. Retrieved on 2007-02-09.
- ^ "Treaty of Lisbon, Article 2, points 287 and 293". http://eur-lex.europa.eu/LexUriServ/LexUriServ.do?uri=OJ:C:2007:306:0042:0133:EN:PDF. Retrieved on 2008-01-31.
- ^ a b c d INSEE, Government of France. "Population des régions au 1er janvier". http://www.insee.fr/fr/themes/tableau.asp?reg_id=99&ref_id=CMRSOS02137. Retrieved on 2009-01-13. (French)
- ^ The estimated area of French Guiana varies from 83,534 to 91,000 kilometres based on the source. Redfield, Peter (2000). Space in the Tropics: From Convicts to Rockets in French Guiana. Berkeley: University of California Press. pp. 269. ISBN 0-520-21985-6.
- ^ (French) Institut Statistique de Polynésie Française (ISPF). "Population légale au 20 août 2007". http://www.ispf.pf/ISPF/EnqRep/Recensement/Recens2007/Popleg.aspx. Retrieved on 2009-01-13.
- ^ (French) INSEE, Government of France. "INSEE Infos No 32" (PDF). http://www.insee.fr/fr/insee_regions/reunion/zoom/mayotte/publications/inseeinfos/pdf/insee%20infos%20n32.pdf. Retrieved on 2007-12-02.
- ^ (French) Institut de la statistique et des études économiques de Nouvelle-Calédonie (ISEE). "CHIFFRES CLÉS - Démographie" (PDF). http://www.isee.nc/chiffresc/chiffresc.html#d%C3%A9mographie. Retrieved on 2009-01-13.
- ^ INSEE, Government of France. "Enquête annuelle de recensement 2007 - Saint-Barthélemy". http://www.insee.fr/fr/ppp/bases-de-donnees/recensement/resultats/chiffres-cles/n3/971/n3_97123.pdf. Retrieved on 2009-01-13. (French)
- ^ a b INSEE, Government of France. "Populations légales 2006 de collectivités d'outre-mer". http://www.insee.fr/fr/ppp/bases-de-donnees/recensement/populations-legales/france-departements.asp#com. Retrieved on 2009-01-13. (French)
- ^ INSEE, Government of France. "Les populations des circonscriptions du Territoire des îles Wallis et Futuna". http://www.insee.fr/fr/themes/detail.asp?ref_id=poplegalescom&page=recensement/poplegalescom/popcircwallisetfutuna.htm. Retrieved on 2009-01-13. (French)
Robert Aldrich and John Connell, France's Overseas Frontier, Cambride University Press, 1992
[edit] External links
- Official site
- past and current developments of France's overseas administrative divisions like pays d'outre-mer (French language)
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