Overseas France short summary

Rough look at Overseas France.

1. French Overseas Territories
Study the map and know where they are located

2. Statistics

3. Population of Overseas France
●Metropolitan (European) France accounts for 82.2%
of the land territory, and 95.9% of the population of
the French Republic.
●The five overseas departments—Martinique,
Guadeloupe, Réunion, French Guiana, and Mayotte—
have the same political status as metropolitan
France's departments. Overseas
collectivities/territories have more autonomy (freedom
to make their own laws).
●Metropolitan France = 63 million

5. Réunion

6. Guadeloupe

7. Martinique

8. Saint Pierre and Miquelon

9. New Caledonia

10. Mayotte

11. French Polynesia

12. Saint Martin

13. Representation in the French
National Assembly
In the 13th Legislature (2012-2017), the French overseas departments and territories are
represented by 27 députés, or 4.7% of the 577 députés in the National Assembly:
● Réunion: 7 députés
● Guadeloupe: 4 députés
● Martinique: 4 députés
● French Polynesia: 3 députés
● French Guiana: 2 députés
● Mayotte: 2 député
● New Caledonia: 2 députés
● Saint Pierre and Miquelon: 1 député
● Saint Martin: 1 député

14. Representation in the French
Senate
Since September 2011, the French overseas departments and territories are
represented by 21 senators in the French Senate, or 6.0% of the 343 senators in the
Senate:
● Réunion: 4 senators
● Guadeloupe: 3 senators
● French Guiana: 2 senators
● French Polynesia: 2 senators
● Martinique: 2 senators
● Mayotte: 2 senators
● New Caledonia: 2 senators
● Saint Martin: 1 senator
● Saint Pierre and Miquelon: 1 senator

15. Though there have been independence movements,
overseas France has generally decided to stay part
of France
●For example:
–Maritinique 80% against more autonomy in 2010.
–Mayotte voted not to be independent in 1976
–New Caledonia politics ruled by the anti-
independence party.
–Guadaloupe's strong independence movements in
the 1970s and 1980s lead to more autonomy and
now few want full independence.

16. Martinique

17. Benefits of staying with France
●Stability – Newly independent countries often have
long periods of unrest, threat of a dictatorship coming
to power. Being part of France is safer.
●Economy – Countries under French rule enjoy
economic support from the EU and generally better
living standards than their neighbor countries.
●French Identity – Some countries have closer ties to
France than to neighbor countries.

18. Guadeloupe, during the 2009 Caribbean General Strike

19. Negatives of staying with France
●Less autonomy – Only have little or no representation
in many laws that govern them.
●High cost of living – French prices, local wages.
●Inequality – similar to colonial system
–2009 Caribbean General Strikes
●Violent riots that shut down the tourist season.
●Anger about cost of goods.
●1% of the population, the white French descendants, own most of
the industry.
●Result: Increased minimum wage, compromise with France.