a French Overseas Country (formerly Territory) in the S Pacific Ocean, including the Society Islands, the Tuamotu group, the Gambier group, the Tubuai Islands, and the Marquesas Islands. Capital: Papeete, on Tahiti. Pop: 277 293 (2013 est). Area: about 4000 sq km (1500 sq miles)
Former name (until 1958): French Oceania
French Polynesia in American English
French overseas territory in the South Pacific, consisting principally of five archipelagoes: 1,260 sq mi (3,263 sq km); pop. 189,000; cap. Papeete