The French Overseas Departments and Territories (often abbreviated DOM-TOM for départements d'outre-mer, territoires d'outre-mer) consist broadly of French-administered or -claimed territories outside of Europe. These territories have varying legal status and different levels of autonomy, although all have representation in the Parliament of France, and the right to vote in elections to the European Parliament. Some of them have no permanent inhabitants. They include island territories in the Atlantic, Pacific and Indian oceans, a territory on the South American coast, and several periantarctic islands as well as an extensive claim in Antarctica.
(Overseas départements and since 2003 also additionally Overseas régions)
- Guadeloupe (since 1946)
- Martinique (since 1946)
- French Guiana (since 1946)
- Réunion (since 1946)
(Overseas territories)
- French Southern and Antarctic Territories (overseas territory of France since 1956)
(Overseas collectives)
- Mayotte (additional status as a Collectivité départementale)
- New Caledonia (collectivité sui generis) (1946-1999: Territoire d'outre-mer):
If New Caledonia, currently a collectivité sui generis, chooses to remain part of France in a referendum scheduled for 2014, it will also become a pays d'outre-mer. - Saint Pierre and Miquelon (1976-1985: Département d'outre-mer, since 1985: Collectivité d'outre-mer or Collectivité territoriale or Collectivité territoriale à statut particulier)
- Wallis and Futuna (1961-2003: Territoire d'outre-mer)
(Overseas country)
A 1998 administrative reform created the pays d'outre-mer as a new administrative status for French overseas territories. This accorded them significantly greater local autonomy than had previously been allowed.
- French Polynesia (1946-2003: Territoire d'outre-mer)
Minor territories
France also claims or controls a number of small, uninhabited islands in the Indian Ocean (Îles Éparses) and in the Pacific Ocean (Clipperton Island):
Indian Ocean
Many of these islands are contested with Madagascar.