Saint Pierre and Miquelon

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.
Location: Location: Northern North America, islands in the North Atlantic Ocean, south of Newfoundland (Canada) Area: Total: 242 sq km; note: includes eight small islands in the Saint Pierre and the Miquelon groups. Area - comparative: 1.5 times the size of Washington, DC. Coastline: 120 km.
Climate and Terrain: Climate: Cold and wet, with much mist and fog; spring and autumn are windy. Terrain: Mostly barren rock. Natural resources: Fish, deepwater ports. Geography - note: Vegetation scanty.
People: Population: 6,976. Ethnic groups: Basques and Bretons (French fishermen). Religions: Roman Catholic 99%. Languages: French (official).
Government: Dependency status: Self-governing territorial collectivity of France. Capital: Saint-Pierre.
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 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.
Statistics: Telephones - main lines in use: 4,000. Radio broadcast stations: AM 1, FM 4. Radios: 4,000. Television broadcast stations: None, there are, however, two repeaters which rebroadcast programs from France, Canada, and the US. Televisions: 4,000. Railways: 0 km. Highways: Total: 114 km, paved: 69 km, unpaved: 45 km. Airports: 2.