Manpower fit for military service:
males age 16-49: 1,064
females age 16-49: 1,069
Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually:
male: 34
female: 32
Military - note: defense is the responsibility of France
Airports: 2
country comparison to the world: 204
Roadways: total: 117 km
country comparison to the world: 213
paved: 80 km
unpaved: 37 km
Ports and terminals: Saint-Pierre
Telephones - main lines in use: 4,800
country comparison to the world: 214
Telephone system:
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: 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
Internet country code: .pm
Internet hosts: 2
country comparison to the world: 231
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.
Dependency status: self-governing territorial overseas collectivity of France
Government type: parliamentary representative democracy
Administrative divisions: 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: none (territorial collectivity of France; has been under French control since 1763)
Legal system: French civil law
Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal
Nationality: French
Ethnic groups: Basques and Bretons (French fishermen)
Languages: French (official)
Religions: Roman Catholic 99%, other 1%
Population: 5,831
country comparison to the world: 228
Median age:
total: 43.2 years
male: 42.8 years
female: 43.7 years
Population growth rate: -0.978%
country comparison to the world: 227
Net migration rate: -8.92 migrant(s)/1,000 population
country comparison to the world: 206
Urbanization:
urban population: 91% of total population
rate of urbanization: 0.1% annual rate of change
Major cities - population: SAINT-PIERRE (capital) 5,000
Life expectancy at birth: total population: 80 years
country comparison to the world: 32
male: 77.72 years
female: 82.41 years
Literacy: definition: age 15 and over can read and write
total population: 99%
male: 99%
female: 99%
Location: Northern North America, islands in the North Atlantic Ocean, south of Newfoundland (Canada)
Climate: cold and wet, with considerable mist and fog; spring and autumn are often windy
Terrain: mostly barren rock
Natural resources: fish, deepwater ports
Land use:
arable land: 12.5%
permanent crops: 0%
other: 87.5%
Natural hazards: persistent fog throughout the year can be a maritime hazard
Environment - current issues: recent test drilling for oil in waters around Saint Pierre and Miquelon may bring future development that would impact the environment
Geography - note: vegetation scanty
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.
