Page last updated on January 7, 2014

Introduction:
Background:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
First settled by the French in the early 17th century, the islands represent the sole remaining vestige of France's once vast North American possessions.
Geography:
Location:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
Northern North America, islands in the North Atlantic Ocean, south of Newfoundland (Canada)
Geographic coordinates:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
46 50 N, 56 20 W
Map references:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
North America
Area:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
total: 242 sq km
country comparison to the world: 214
land: 242 sq km
water: 0 sq km
note: includes eight small islands in the Saint Pierre and the Miquelon groups
Area - comparative:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
one and half times the size of Washington, DC
Land boundaries:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
0 km
Coastline:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
120 km
Maritime claims:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
territorial sea: 12 nm
exclusive economic zone: 200 nm
Climate:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
cold and wet, with considerable mist and fog; spring and autumn are often windy
Terrain:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
mostly barren rock
Elevation extremes:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m
highest point: Morne de la Grande Montagne 240 m
Natural resources:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
fish, deepwater ports
Land use:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
arable land: 8.7%
permanent crops: 0%
other: 91.3% (2011)
Irrigated land:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
NA
Natural hazards:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
persistent fog throughout the year can be a maritime hazard
Environment - current issues:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
recent test drilling for oil in waters around Saint Pierre and Miquelon may bring future development that would impact the environment
Geography - note:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
vegetation scanty
People and Society:
Nationality:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
noun: Frenchman(men), Frenchwoman(women)
adjective: French
Ethnic groups:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
Basques and Bretons (French fishermen)
Languages:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
French (official)
Religions:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
Roman Catholic 99%, other 1%
Population:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
5,774 (July 2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 230
Age structure:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
0-14 years: 16.5% (male 491/female 463)
15-24 years: 8.5% (male 254/female 239)
25-54 years: 44% (male 1,264/female 1,275)
55-64 years: 13.9% (male 421/female 380)
65 years and over: 17.1% (male 405/female 582) (2013 est.)
population pyramid: "> Median age:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
total: 43.9 years
male: 43.5 years
female: 44.3 years (2013 est.)
Population growth rate:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
-1.01% (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 231
Birth rate:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
7.79 births/1,000 population (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 222
Death rate:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
9.18 deaths/1,000 population (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 63
Net migration rate:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
-8.66 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 207
Urbanization:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
urban population: 91% of total population (2010)
rate of urbanization: 0.1% annual rate of change (2010-15 est.)
Major urban areas - population:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
SAINT-PIERRE (capital) 5,000 (2009)
Sex ratio:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female
0-14 years: 1.07 male(s)/female
15-24 years: 1.05 male(s)/female
25-54 years: 1 male(s)/female
55-64 years: 1.11 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.69 male(s)/female
total population: 0.97 male(s)/female (2013 est.)
Infant mortality rate:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
total: 7.12 deaths/1,000 live births
country comparison to the world: 162
male: 8.28 deaths/1,000 live births
female: 5.89 deaths/1,000 live births (2013 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
total population: 80.13 years
country comparison to the world: 32
male: 77.83 years
female: 82.56 years (2013 est.)
Total fertility rate:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
1.55 children born/woman (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 182
HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
NA
HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
NA
HIV/AIDS - deaths:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
NA
Education expenditures:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
NA
Literacy:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
definition: age 15 and over can read and write
total population: 99%
male: 99%
female: 99% (1982 est.)
Government:
Country name:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
conventional long form: Territorial Collectivity of Saint Pierre and Miquelon
conventional short form: Saint Pierre and Miquelon
local long form: Departement de Saint-Pierre et Miquelon
local short form: Saint-Pierre et Miquelon
Dependency status:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
self-governing territorial overseas collectivity of France
Government type:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
parliamentary representative democracy
Capital:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
name: Saint-Pierre
geographic coordinates: 46 46 N, 56 11 W
time difference: UTC-3 (2 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time)
daylight saving time: +1hr, begins second Sunday in March; ends first Sunday in November
Administrative divisions:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
none (territorial overseas collectivity of France); note - there are no first-order administrative divisions as defined by the US Government, but there are two communes - Saint Pierre, Miquelon at the second order
Independence:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
none (territorial collectivity of France; has been under French control since 1763)
National holiday:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
Fete de la Federation, 14 July (1789)
Constitution:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
4 October 1958 (French Constitution) (2013)
Legal system:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
French civil law
Suffrage:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
18 years of age; universal
Executive branch:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
chief of state: President Francois HOLLANDE (since 15 May 2012); represented by Prefect Patrice LATRON (since 16 November 2011)
head of government: President of the Territorial Council Stephane ARTANO (since 21 February 2007)
cabinet: NA
(For more information visit the World Leaders website )
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
elections: French president elected by popular vote for a five-year term; election last held on 6 May 2012 (next to be held in 2017); prefect appointed by the French president on the advice of the French Ministry of Interior; president of the Territorial Council elected by the members of the council
Legislative branch:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
unicameral Territorial Council or Conseil Territorial (19 seats, 15 from Saint Pierre and 4 from Miquelon; members elected by popular vote to serve six-year terms)
elections: elections last held on 18 March 2012 (next to be held in March 2018)
election results: percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - NA
note: Saint Pierre and Miquelon elect one member to the French Senate; elections last held on 21 September 2008 (next to be held in September 2014); results - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - UMP 1; Saint Pierre and Miquelon also elects one member to the French National Assembly; elections last held on 17 June 2012 (next to be held by June 2017); results - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - PRG 1
Judicial branch:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
highest court(s): Superior Tribunal of Appeals or Tribunal Superieur d'Appel (composition NA)
judge selection and term of office: judge selection and tenure NA
subordinate courts: NA
Political parties and leaders:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
Archipelago Tomorrow or AD (affiliated with UDF/RPR list)
Political pressure groups and leaders:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
NA
International organization participation:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
UPU, WFTU (NGOs)
Diplomatic representation in the US:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
none (territorial overseas collectivity of France)
Diplomatic representation from the US:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
none (territorial overseas collectivity of France)
Flag description:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
a yellow three-masted sailing ship facing the hoist side rides on a blue background with scattered, white, wavy lines under the ship; a continuous black-over-white wavy line divides the ship from the white wavy lines; on the hoist side, a vertical band is divided into three parts: the top part (called ikkurina) is red with a green diagonal cross extending to the corners overlaid by a white cross dividing the rectangle into four sections; the middle part has a white background with an ermine pattern; the third part has a red background with two stylized yellow lions outlined in black, one above the other; these three heraldic arms represent settlement by colonists from the Basque Country (top), Brittany, and Normandy; the blue on the main portion of the flag symbolizes the Atlantic Ocean and the stylized ship represents the Grande Hermine in which Jacques Cartier "discovered" the islands in 1536
note: the flag of France used for official occasions
National symbol(s):
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
16th-century sailing ship
National anthem:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
note: as a collectivity of France, "La Marseillaise" is official (see France)
Economy:
Economy - overview:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
The inhabitants have traditionally earned their livelihood by fishing and by servicing fishing fleets operating off the coast of Newfoundland. The economy has been declining, however, because of disputes with Canada over fishing quotas and a steady decline in the number of ships stopping at Saint Pierre. In 1992, an arbitration panel awarded the islands an exclusive economic zone of 12,348 sq km to settle a longstanding territorial dispute with Canada, although it represents only 25% of what France had sought. France heavily subsidizes the islands to the great betterment of living standards. The government hopes an expansion of tourism will boost economic prospects. Fish farming, crab fishing, and agriculture are being developed to diversify the local economy. Recent test drilling for oil may pave the way for development of the energy sector.
GDP (purchasing power parity):
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
$215.3 million (2006 est.)
country comparison to the world: 219
note: supplemented by annual payments from France of about $60 million
GDP (official exchange rate):
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
$215.3 million (2006 est.)
GDP - real growth rate:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
NA%
GDP - per capita (PPP):
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
$34,900 (2006 est.)
country comparison to the world: 39
GDP - composition, by sector of origin:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
agriculture: 2%
industry: 15%
services: 83% (2006 est.)
Agriculture - products:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
vegetables; poultry, cattle, sheep, pigs; fish
Industries:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
fish processing and supply base for fishing fleets; tourism
Industrial production growth rate:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
NA%
Labor force:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
3,194 (2006)
country comparison to the world: 225
Labor force - by occupation:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
agriculture: 18%
industry: 41%
services: 41% (1996 est.)
Unemployment rate:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
9.9% (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 106
Population below poverty line:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
NA%
Household income or consumption by percentage share:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
lowest 10%: NA%
highest 10%: NA%
Budget:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
revenues: $70 million
expenditures: $60 million (1996)
Taxes and other revenues:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
32.5% of GDP
country comparison to the world: 81
Budget surplus (+) or deficit (-):
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
4.6% of GDP
country comparison to the world: 13
Fiscal year:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
calendar year
Inflation rate (consumer prices):
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
4.5% (2010)
country comparison to the world: 135
Exports:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
$6.641 million (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 215
Exports - commodities:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
fish and fish products, soybeans, animal feed, mollusks and crustaceans, fox and mink pelts
Imports:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
$95.35 million (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 213
Imports - commodities:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
meat, clothing, fuel, electrical equipment, machinery, building materials
Debt - external:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
$NA
Exchange rates:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
euros (EUR) per US dollar -
Energy:
Electricity - production:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
53 million kWh (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 205
Electricity - consumption:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
49.29 million kWh (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 205
Electricity - exports:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
0 kWh (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 124
Electricity - imports:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
0 kWh (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 127
Electricity - installed generating capacity:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
26,600 kW (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 199
Electricity - from fossil fuels:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
97.7% of total installed capacity (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 59
Electricity - from nuclear fuels:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
0% of total installed capacity (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 171
Electricity - from hydroelectric plants:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
0% of total installed capacity (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 193
Electricity - from other renewable sources:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
2.3% of total installed capacity (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 63
Crude oil - production:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
0 bbl/day (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 205
Crude oil - exports:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
0 bbl/day (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 175
Crude oil - imports:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
0 bbl/day (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 115
Crude oil - proved reserves:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
0 bbl (1 January 2013 es)
country comparison to the world: 179
Refined petroleum products - production:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
0 bbl/day (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 124
Refined petroleum products - consumption:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
974.1 bbl/day (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 205
Refined petroleum products - exports:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
0 bbl/day (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 210
Refined petroleum products - imports:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
584 bbl/day (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 201
Natural gas - production:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
0 cu m (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 185
Natural gas - consumption:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
0 cu m (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 189
Natural gas - exports:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
0 cu m (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 174
Natural gas - imports:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
0 cu m (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 124
Natural gas - proved reserves:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
0 cu m (1 January 2013 es)
country comparison to the world: 187
Carbon dioxide emissions from consumption of energy:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
91,430 Mt (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 205
Communications:
Telephones - main lines in use:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
4,800 (2010)
country comparison to the world: 211
Telephone system:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
general assessment: adequate
international: country code - 508; radiotelephone communication with most countries in the world; satellite earth station - 1 in French domestic satellite system
Broadcast media:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
2 TV stations with a third repeater station, all part of the French Overseas Network; radio stations on St. Pierre and on Miquelon are part of the French Overseas Network (2007)
Internet country code:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
.pm
Internet hosts:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
15 (2012)
country comparison to the world: 224
Transportation:
Airports:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
2 (2013)
country comparison to the world: 209
Airports - with paved runways:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
total: 2
1,524 to 2,437 m: 1
914 to 1,523 m: 1 (2013)
Roadways:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
total: 117 km
country comparison to the world: 214
paved: 80 km
unpaved: 37 km (2009)
Ports and terminals:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
major seaport(s): Saint-Pierre
Manpower fit for military service:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
males age 16-49: 1,064
females age 16-49: 1,069 (2010 est.)
Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
male: 34
female: 32 (2010 est.)
Military:
Military - note:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
defense is the responsibility of France