DOM-TOM - Definition and Overview

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.

Départements d'outre-mer

(Overseas départements)

• Guadeloupe
• Martinique
• French Guiana
• Réunion

Territoires d'outre-mer

(Overseas territories)

• Wallis and Futuna
• French Southern and Antarctic Territories

Collectivités d'outre-mer

(Overseas collectives)

• Saint Pierre and Miquelon
• Mayotte
• New Caledonia (collectivité sui generis)

Pays 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

Minor territories

France also claims or controls a number of small, uninhabited islands. Many of them are contested with Madagascar. See: Îles Éparses.

Indian Ocean

• Bassas da India
• Europa Island
• Glorioso Islands
• Juan de Nova Island
• Tromelin Island

Pacific Ocean

• Clipperton Island

See also

• France
• French colonial empire
• Administrative divisions of France