Overseas community of france. France islands

France has a long colonial past. During the 18th and 19th centuries, her possessions increased, and they were mainly islands. They are located in almost all the oceans of the world and currently have a different status in relation to their metropolis.

The islands of France are located in almost all oceans in the world.

Overseas Department. It is part of France, along with those departments that exist on its own territory. They have the same rights as the rest, these land areas in the ocean are members of the European Union. Actually, this is France itself, only located far beyond its territory in Europe.
The colonial possessions of France now include overseas communities. These are actually autonomous territories that have their own government and are not part of the European Union. They are also not obliged to follow the treaties and agreements entered into by the EU.
Overseas territories of France, which have a special status contested by other countries, or in the country itself, the indefinite format of these spaces raises many questions.

Therefore, many islands are called the legacy of the French colonial presence. And almost all of them are great places for relax. The total area of these territories is more than 560 thousand square meters. km, and the population is almost three million people.

Guadeloupe

Several islands in the Caribbean, a former French colony, now a department ruled by a prefect appointed by the metropolis. took possession of the islands in the 17th century. destroying the local population, the Caribbean, and settling black slaves who cultivated numerous sugarcane plantations.

Now more than 400 thousand people live in Guadeloupe, mostly blacks and mulattos (90%). These islands belong to the tropical zone, throughout the year average temperature the air here is + 25–27 °, significant humidity, tropical rains pour from July to November.

But during the rest of the year, this French overseas territory is extremely attractive to tourists, primarily for the following reasons:

Excellent white sand beaches.
The tourist infrastructure is well developed.
There is an opportunity to go diving.
Natural attractions such as the La Soufriere volcano.

It was these islands that became the first on the way of Christopher Columbus to America.

Martinique

The island is part of the Lesser Antilles archipelago located in the Caribbean Sea, which is also French. The population is almost 400 thousand people. Department of France and has its representation in both the Senate and Parliament.

The island began to belong to France in the 17th century, the local Indian population was destroyed. The area was inhabited by black slaves who cultivated sugarcane and tobacco plantations.

Now 90% of the territory is covered with forest. There are many minerals here, and such rare ones as tantalum and gold. In 1964-1965, the Kuru cosmodrome was built here, the only one in the world, very close to the equator.

Guiana is located in the equatorial zone, so here rest is convenient practically all year round... It is pleasant to swim under the scorching rays of the sun. warm waters Atlantic Ocean. In addition, you can familiarize yourself with interesting places:

The Kuru Cosmodrome.
The capital of Cayenne, where there are many attractions.
The city of Cocoa, where people from Laos work, the Hmong people. As souvenirs, they managed to fill the markets of Vietnam and other countries with their own embroidery and traditional dishes.

Reunion

Big Island in Indian Ocean, another overseas territory of France with the status of a department and a population of more than 800 thousand people. It is famous for the fact that it initially began to be mastered by Europeans, that is, there was no local population here. The first who landed on it in the 16th century were the Portuguese, but from the 17th century. the island began to belong to the French.

Area of volcanic origin, there are three extinct volcano... The weather is clearly visible: from December to April it is hot but rainy, from May to October it is dry and cool. There are hurricanes in February and March.

Therefore, the most favorable season for beach holiday- this is from June to September. It is good here for those who like the following pastime:

Sunbathe on the beach and swim in the emerald clear waters.
Go diving or surfing.
Get to know the world of old European colonies.

But getting to the island is not easy, and local hotels leave much to be desired in terms of their comfort.

Mayotte

Island in the Indian Ocean, not far from. It is also a department of France, but is still disputed by the Comoros, with which the UN stands in solidarity.

However, in a referendum held on the island, residents spoke out in favor of remaining part of France. This gave the latter reason to consider it and several other small ones located near Mayotte as their territory.

In terms of relaxation, Mayotte is almost ideal for its natural conditions... Here, from November to April, the air temperature is from +24 to +27.

Beautiful beaches and excellent wild nature... You can watch giant turtles on the coast.

But getting to the island is difficult, in addition, the infrastructure is very undeveloped. And it is much cheaper to arrange your vacation in the neighboring Comoros.

The island is located in Atlantic Ocean and has the status of an overseas community of France. was discovered by Christopher Columbus, but began to be mastered by France and the Netherlands, who divided it among themselves. The main production here was sugarcane plantations, on which black slaves from Africa worked.

The basis of the economy of modern Saint-Martin is the service of tourists, as to develop Agriculture it is impossible here due to the lack of fresh water. All products on the island are of imported origin.

There is a fairly developed tourist infrastructure, you can rent a hotel room or a separate house on the coast. For many French people, this is the perfect warm winter holidays.

Saint Barthélemy

Another island located in the Atlantic Ocean near Saint Martin and Guadeloupe. It has the status of a self-governing territory.

The weather here is ideal almost all year round, the average temperature is from +25 to 27. Therefore, Saint Barthélemy is very good for recreation.

Location of the island in the Atlantic Ocean

For almost a century, the island belonged to Sweden, which bought it from France at the end of the 18th century, and then sold it to the French. There are no natural sources of fresh water on the island (streams, rivers, lakes); nevertheless, it is attractive for wealthy tourists. At one time, plots of land here were bought by David Rockefeller and Roman Abramovich.

Saint Pierre and Miquelon

These overseas communities are all that remain of the once vast colonial possession of France in North America... These two islands are located in the Atlantic Ocean, near Newfoundland, Canada, and have a population of just over 6,000.

The islands are not well suited for recreation: here cool summer, on average +20, although winters are rather mild (from −2 to −7) and a lot of snow that falls during the cold season. Quite dense fogs are not uncommon in autumn and spring.

Tourist service is one of the main sources of income for the Polynesians. There are really beautiful white sand beaches here, it is always warm, the infrastructure is well developed, but there are significant disadvantages:

High prices for tours.
It takes almost two days to get there with a transfer.

France is a state in Western Europe, however, its borders are not determined only by the Eurasian continent. The property of this country is located in various parts of the world. Where are the overseas departments and territories of France located and what are they? Find out about it from the article.

Overseas possessions of France

The republic is located in the west of the Eurasia continent, surrounded by Germany, Belgium, Luxembourg, Switzerland, Spain, Italy, Andorra and Monaco. In the south she is washed Mediterranean Sea, in the north and west - the Atlantic Ocean.

France is a presidential-parliamentary republic. Administrative division the state is quite complex and includes regions divided into departments with cantons and districts, as well as communes. In addition, there are territories and overseas departments of France.

The non-continental lands of the state are former colonies. They are located on islands in the Pacific, Atlantic and Administratively, they sometimes distinguish regions, overseas and special communities among the territories.

Territories and overseas departments of France (list)

The amount of French lands outside the continent was not always the same. Many territories, for example within Algeria, lost control of France in 1959, 1962. Some lands remain contested.

Madagascar claims the French Esparce Islands, Suriname claims French Guiana, claims the Mayoret Island (Mayotte), Vanuatu claims two islands in New Caledonia. France, in turn, has announced a claim for Adelie Land, which is located in Antarctica. The world community has so far rejected all statements.

The current French overseas departments are shown in the table below.

As such, there are only two overseas territories of the state.

Other lands are often referred to as overseas territories of France, although they have different statuses and rights.

Name	Region	Status
Saint Barthelemy	Caribbean sea	Overseas community
Saint Martin	Caribbean sea	Overseas community
Walisse and Futuna	Pacific Ocean	Overseas community
French polynesia	Pacific Ocean	Overseas community
Saint Pierre and Miquelon	North America	Overseas community
New Caledonia	Pacific Ocean	Special administrative-territorial unit

Difference in statuses and rights

French overseas possessions are territories that belong to the state, but are remote from it for considerable distances. Currently, they are not colonies, and their inhabitants have all the rights of French citizens. The population of the overseas territories can move freely within the European Union area.

The overseas departments of France are politically equal to departments on the continental part of the country. They also appear in the country's constitution as regions. In each of them, a regional council is formed, whose members can enter various national structures (Senate, National Assembly) as ordinary French citizens.

Overseas communities differ from departments in broader rights. They have their own social security system, customs and fiscal independence. Communities are not subject to the laws of mainland France. They have an autonomous government and are not affiliated with the European Union.

History

From the beginning of the 16th century, France became a strong colonial state. The controlled territories were in all The colonies were both separate islands in the middle of the oceans, and the continental lands of Canada, Africa, etc. Until now, in many African countries, French is the state language.

The modern overseas departments of France were colonized only in the 17th century. Their lands were used as plantations for the cultivation of sugar cane, tea and other products. Slaves brought from Africa served as the labor force.

After World War II, some territories changed their status several times. Part of the lands were declared departments, including Algeria. After a long struggle, the country managed to win back its independence.

The Territory of Saint Pierre and Miquelon initially became a department, but later changed its status to community.

The issue with the Comoros was resolved for a relatively long time. France captured them at the beginning of the 19th century. The island government organized a referendum where everyone except Mayotte voted for independence. With the support of the UN, the Comoros gained independence, and Mayotte remains part of France to this day.

All overseas possessions are difficult to give general description... They are located in different parts of the planet, have a different climate, nature and population. About 3 million people live outside the continent. The main occupation for many is the service sector, because these regions are popular among tourists.

French Guiana - France's overseas department South America... It is the largest department in the state. Unlike other territories, it is located on the continent. Here reeds and fruits are grown, and minerals are mined. Tourists are attracted here by national parks and reserves located in tropical forests.

Other overseas territories are not far behind in attractiveness. often called one of the most beautiful corners of the planet. People come to Guadeloupe for diving, walking national park, and to see the La Soufriere volcano. The most populous area, Reunion, also has unique nature... There are several nature reserves, a meteorological station and a volcanic laboratory.

Conclusion

Among the overseas territories of France are departments, communities, territories with a special status. They all differ in rights and powers. Most of the territories are located in the Pacific, Indian and Atlantic Oceans, the largest department, French Guinea, is on the continent

Overseas territories are significantly removed from France, but under its control. They represent the former colonies that the state captured in the period from the 16th to the 19th century. Territories differ in the composition of the population, local customs, culture and economic level. Recently, tourism has been actively developing in most lands.

Remnants of the former French colonial empire now exist in the form of overseas departments and overseas territories.
Overseas departments - one of the types of territorial collectives of France; they are created on the basis of Art. 72 and 73 of the Constitution, with the adaptation of their structure to local conditions. All four overseas departments - the former colonies of Guadeloupe, Guiana, Martinique and Reunion - began to have this status since 1946.Under the above-mentioned 1982 Law, they simultaneously received the status of an overseas region with the corresponding powers and bodies - they established committees for culture, education and the environment and regional councils established. The latter can turn to the French Government with proposals for changes and adaptation to local conditions of the current legislation. In 1984, some of the competence of the general councils of these departments was also transferred to these councils.
The overseas territory is also a special kind of territorial collectives in France. According to Art. 74 of the Constitution, overseas territories "have their own special organization, taking into account their own interests in common with the interests of the Republic."
All overseas territories are also former colonies; they are very remote from the metropolis, located in the Pacific Ocean: New Caledonia, French Polynesia, the Wallis and Futuna Islands and the Arctic lands.
Overseas territories have different status, but they all have in common that they are governed by elected bodies on the basis of their statutes (charters). Executive power is vested in various bodies: on the islands of Wallis and Futuna, it is entrusted to a representative appointed by the metropolis; in New Caledonia, it is entrusted to the chairman of the council of ministers. In all overseas territories, a representative of the state is appointed by the metropolis, who monitors the observance of state interests, the implementation of laws and exercises administrative control. In some overseas territories, the institution of local leaders is preserved: for example, on Wallis Island, they are members of the territorial council. The chiefs perform some judicial functions.
France retains powers in the field of defense, foreign relations, and judicial organization. Otherwise, the overseas territories have a fairly wide range of powers. With the exception of a number of some important areas, for example, the regulation and protection of rights and freedoms, the competence of public authorities, French law is not automatically applied in overseas territories. In particular, overseas territories enjoy significant tax incentives. French Polynesia has more autonomy than Corsica: the residual powers belong to Polynesia, while under the law of Corsica they belong to the republic *.
* See: Kazanskaya G.V. Decree. cit., p. 140.
Two territorial units do not have the status of either of the two named categories - neither an overseas department, nor an overseas territory. The island of Mayotte has a legal position somewhat similar to that of an overseas department, but the legislation establishes the possibility of its political evolution (since 1976, the island has the right to elect one senator). The islands of Saint Pierre and Miquelon lost their status as an overseas department in 1985 in order to avoid the consequences of being with France in the Common Market.
For France, overseas territories are important strategic importance: possessing these territories on the opposite end of the planet, it ensures its presence there.