Overseas France
Thirteen non-European territories under French sovereignty with varying autonomy.
Overseas France (French: France d'outre-mer, also France ultramarine) consists of 13 French territories outside Europe, mostly remnants of the French colonial empire that remained part of the French state under various statuses after decolonisation. It is a collective name, not an administrative designation, and includes island territories in the Atlantic, Pacific, and Indian oceans, French Guiana on the South American continent, several peri-Antarctic islands, and a claim in Antarctica.
- Percentage of French Republic's land ter
- 18.0%
- Percentage of French Republic's EEZ
- 96.7%
- Number of territories
- 13
Lore & Background
Overseas France comprises four broad classes of administration: overseas departments/regions, overseas collectivities, the sui generis territory of New Caledonia, and uninhabited territories. The five overseas regions—French Guiana, Guadeloupe, Martinique, Mayotte, and Réunion—have the same administrative status as metropolitan regions, while the five overseas collectivities (French Polynesia, Saint Barthélemy, Saint Martin, Saint Pierre and Miquelon, and Wallis and Futuna) are semi-autonomous and can make their own laws in certain areas.
Reader's Guide
Overseas France represents a significant portion of the French Republic's territory and exclusive economic zone, accounting for 18.0% of its land and 96.7% of its EEZ. Its 2.9 million residents are French and European Union citizens, with representation in the French National Assembly (27 deputies) and Senate (21 senators). The territories vary in legal status and autonomy, from fully integrated overseas regions to semi-autonomous collectivities and the autonomous territory of New Caledonia. Six are considered Outermost Regions of the European Union, while most others are overseas countries and territories cooperating with the EU. The uninhabited Clipperton Island is held as state private property under the direct authority of the French government. This diverse set of territories reflects the legacy of French colonialism and the ongoing negotiation of autonomy and integration within the French state.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Overseas France?
Overseas France is a collective label for the thirteen non-European territories that remain under French sovereignty, spread across the Atlantic, Pacific, and Indian Oceans, the South American mainland, and the Southern Ocean. It is not a single administrative region but a grouping of former colonial possessions that stayed within the French state after decolonisation.
How many territories make up Overseas France?
There are thirteen territories in total, ranging from a continental stretch of coast in South America to tiny peri-Antarctic outposts and an Antarctic claim. Each one holds a distinct legal status within the French Republic.
What is the political status of Overseas France?
Overseas France is a descriptive term rather than a formal administrative category, so the thirteen territories do not share a single unified government. Each operates under its own specific legal arrangement—ranging from full departmental status to special collectivity status—while all remain sovereign parts of the French Republic.
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