South Pacific.

Tahiti and Her Islands span three time zones:

Gambier Islands: GMT - 9.
Marquesas Islands: GMT - 9.5.
Society Archipelago, Tubuai Islands, Tuamotu Archipelago (except Gambier Islands), Tahiti: GMT - 10.

4,167 sq km (1,609 sq miles).

252,000 (UN estimate 2005).

60.5 per sq km.

Papeete (Tahiti Island). Population: 26,181 (census 2002).

French Polynesia comprises 120 islands divided into five archipelagos: the Society Archipelago, Tuamotu Archipelago, Marquesas Islands, Austral Islands and Mangreva Islands. The Windward and Leeward Islands, collectively called the Society Archipelago, are mountainous with coastal plains. Tahiti, the largest of the Windward group, is dominated by Mount Orohena at 2,236m (7,337ft) and Mount Aorai at 2,068m (6,786ft). Moorea lies next to Tahiti, a picturesque volcanic island with white sand beaches. The Leeward Islands to the west are generally lower in altitude. The largest islands are Raiatea and Bora Bora. Tuamotu Archipelago comprises 80 coral atolls, located 298km (185 miles) east of Tahiti. The Marquesas Islands lie 1,497km (930 miles) northeast of Tahiti and are made up of two clusters of volcanic islands divided into a southern and northern group. The grass-covered Austral Islands south of Tahiti are scattered in a chain from east to west over a distance of 499km (310 miles).

French Overseas Territory since 1946.

President Nicolas Sarkozy since 2007, represented locally by High Commissioner Anne Bouquet.

Oscar Temaru, President of the Council of Ministers since February 2009.

Tahiti and her Islands gained Overseas Country status in 2004. Pro-independence leader Oscar Temaru was elected by the territory's assembly in March 2005. It was the third change in leadership in 12 months and followed months of wrangling between Mr Temaru and pro-France rival, Gaston Flosse. Mr Flosse's government lost a vote of confidence on February 2005, precipitating the poll in which Mr Temaru defeated the pro-France candidate, Gaston Tang Sang by 29 votes to 26.

In February 2008, veteran politician Gaston Flosse was re-elected president for the fourth time in 25 years. A year later, Oscar Temaru is back in the presidential role, his fourth time in office since 2004. He is the ninth president in five years.

The official languages are French and Tahitian. Other Polynesian languages are spoken by the indigenous population. English is widely understood, mainly by islanders accustomed to dealing with foreign visitors.

Approximately 55% Protestant and 34% Catholic.

110/220 volts AC, 60Hz. US-style two-pin plugs are in use.

The basic lifestyle of the islands is represented by the simple Tahitian fares built of bamboo with pandanus roofs. Local women dress in bright pareos and men in the male equivalent, but casual dress is expected of the visitor (except in Papeete, where bathing suits and shorts are not considered suitable dress). Traditional dances are still performed mostly in hotels, with Western dance styles mainly in tourist centres. Normal social courtesies are important.