Background The French annexed various Polynesian island groups during the 19th century. In September 1995, France stirred up widespread protests by resuming nuclear testing on the Mururoa atoll after a three-year moratorium. The tests were suspended in January 1996.

NOTE: The information regarding French Polynesia on this page is re-published from the 2002 World Fact Book of the United States Central Intelligence Agency. No claims are made regarding the accuracy of French Polynesia Introduction 2002 information contained here. All suggestions for corrections of any errors about French Polynesia Introduction 2002 should be addressed to the CIA.