Background: 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.

Land boundaries: none

Coastline: 120 km

Maritime claims: Exclusive economic zone:200 nm; Territorial sea:12 nm

Climate: cold and wet, with much mist and fog; spring and autumn are windy

Terrain: mostly barren rock

Natural resources: fish, deepwater ports

Land use: arable land: 13%; permanent crops: 0%; meadows and pastures 0%; forest and woodland 4%; other 83%

Geography
Note: located 25 km south of Newfoundland, Canada, in the North Atlantic Ocean

Population: 6,356 (July 1991), growth rate 0.4% (1991)

Nationality: noun--Frenchman(men), Frenchwoman(women); adjective--French

Ethnic groups: originally Basques and Bretons (French fishermen)

Languages: French

Religions: Roman Catholic 98%

Birth rate: 17 births/1000 population (1991)

Death rate: 7 deaths/1000 population (1991)

Net migration rate: - 6 migrants/1000 population (1991)

Environment
Current issues: vegetation scanty

Infant mortality rate: 9 deaths/1000 live births (1991)

Life expectancy at birth: 72 years male, 79 years female (1991)

Total fertility rate: 2.2 children born/woman (1991)

Literacy: 99% (male 99%, female 99%) age 15 and over can read and write (1982)

Country name: conventional long form: Territorial Collectivity of Saint Pierre and Miquelon

Government type: territorial collectivity of France

Capital: Saint-Pierre

Administrative divisions: none (territorial collectivity of France)

Independence: none (territorial collectivity of France); note--has been under French control since 1763

National holiday: National Day, 14 July (Taking of the Bastille)

Constitution: 28 September 1958 (French Constitution)

Legal system: French law

Suffrage: universal at age 18

Executive branch: Chief of State--President Francois MITTERRAND (since 21 May 1981); Head of Government--Commissioner of the Republic Jean-Pierre MARQUIE (since February 1989); President of the General Council Marc PLANTEGENEST (since NA)

Legislative branch: unicameral General Council

Judicial branch: Superior Tribunal of Appeals (Tribunal Superieur d'Appel)

International organization participation: FZ, WFTU

Diplomatic representation
In the us: as a territorial collectivity of France, local interests are represented in the US by France

Flag description: the flag of France is used

Economy overview: 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 the number of ships stopping at Saint Pierre has dropped steadily over the years. In March 1989, an agreement between France and Canada set fish quotas for Saint Pierre's trawlers fishing in Canadian and Canadian-claimed waters for three years. The agreement settles a longstanding dispute that had virtually brought fish exports to a halt. The islands are heavily subsidized by France. Imports come primarily from Canada and France.

Agriculture products: vegetables, cattle, sheep and pigs for local consumption; fish catch, 20,500 metric tons (1989)

Industries: fish processing and supply base for fishing fleets; tourism

Industrial production growth rate: NA%

Labor force: 2,850 (1988)

Unemployment rate: 8.3% (1988)

Budget: revenues $18.3 million; expenditures $18.3 million, including capital expenditures of $5.5 million (1989)

Fiscal year: calendar year

Exports: $24.1 million (f.o.b., 1988)

Imports: $61.6 million (c.i.f., 1988)

Debt external: $N/A

Exchange rates: French francs (F) per US$1--5.1307 (January 1991), 5.4453 (1990), 6.3801 (1989), 5.9569 (1988), 6.0107 (1987), 6.9261 (1986), 8.9852 (1985)

Electricity
Capacity: 10,000 kW capacity; 25 million kWh produced, 3,970 kWh per capita (1989)

Airports: 2 total, 2 usable; 2 with permanent-surface runways, none with runways over 2,439 m; 1 with runway 1,220-2,439 m

Disputes international: focus of maritime boundary dispute between Canada and France