Population: 7,012 (July 2005 est.)
Capital: Saint-Pierre
Languages: French (official)
Religions: Roman Catholic 99%
Government: NA
Climate: cold and wet, with much mist and fog; spring and autumn are windy
Terrain: mostly barren rock
Geography: vegetation scanty
Ethnic groups: Basques and Bretons (French fishermen)
Economy: 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. The islands are
heavily subsidized by France to the great betterment of living standards. The government hopes an expansion of tourism will
boost economic prospects. Recent test drilling for oil may pave the way for development of the energy sector.
GDP per capita: purchasing power parity - $7,000 (2001 est.)
GDP real growth: NA%
Unemployment rate: 9.8% (1997)
Internet country code: .pm
Dial code: +508
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.