Info

Sitemap
-

Some info about French Polynesia

Fact: French Polynesia's Tetiaroa atoll was discovered by explorer Captain James Cook, who first set foot on its shores in 1769.



The French annexed various Polynesian island groups during the 19th century. In 1966, the French Government began testing nuclear weapons on the uninhabited Mururoa Atoll; following mounting opposition, the tests were moved underground in1975. In September 1995, France stirred up widespread protests by resuming nuclear testing after a three-year moratorium. The tests were halted in January 1996. In recent years, French Polynesia's autonomy has been considerably expanded.