The French Overseas Departments and Territories: the Heritage of the French Colonial Past. An Outline of a Problem

In the colonial era, the French Republic, which currently possesses thirteen overseas dependent territories, created an empire extending to every part of the globe. The present-day Overseas France comprises areas of various status and autonomy. The topic of the article are the French overseas departments and territories (DOM-TOM), which constitute an integral part of France and the European Union. The article presents the characteristics and evolution of the DOM-TOM local government. It defines the notions of department and overseas territory and explains differences between these two units and their metropolitan counterparts. It presents the genesis and shape of Overseas France, of which the DOM-TOM is the biggest component from the point of view of both territory and population. The article was based chiefly on Polish and French academic publications, as well as legal acts and statistics. Obviously, it provides only a general outline of the problem.
 

In the colonial era, the French Republic, which currently possesses thirteen overseas dependent territories, created an empire extending to every part of the globe. The present-day Overseas France comprises areas of various status and autonomy. The topic of the article are the French overseas departments and territories (DOM-TOM), which constitute an integral part of France and the European Union. The article presents the characteristics and evolution of the DOM-TOM local government. It defines the notions of department and overseas territory and explains differences between these two units and their metropolitan counterparts. It presents the genesis and shape of Overseas France, of which the DOM-TOM is the biggest component from the point of view of both territory and population. The article was based chiefly on Polish and French academic publications, as well as legal acts and statistics. Obviously, it provides only a general outline of the problem.