Overview
First settled by the French in the early 17th century, Saint Pierre and Miquelon are the sole remaining vestige of France's once vast North American possessions. They attained the status of an overseas collectivity in 2003.
Geography
- Location
- Northern North America, islands in the North Atlantic Ocean, south of Newfoundland (Canada)
- Total Area
- 242 sq km
- Climate
- cold and wet, with considerable mist and fog; spring and autumn are often windy
- Terrain
- mostly barren rock
- Natural Resources
- fish, deepwater ports
- Coastline
- 120 km
- Land Borders
- 0 km
People & Society
- Population
- 5,070 (2025 est.)
- Religions
- Roman Catholic 99%, other 1%
- Ethnic Groups
- Basques and Bretons (French fishermen)
- Life Expectancy
- 81.8 years (2024 est.)
- Urbanization
- 90.1% of total population (2023)
Government
- Government Type
- parliamentary democracy (Territorial Council); overseas collectivity of France
- Capital
- Saint-Pierre
- Independence
- none (overseas collectivity collectivity of France; has been under French control since 1763)
- Constitution
- 4 October 1958 (French Constitution)
- Legal System
- French civil law
- Executive Branch
- President Emmanuel MACRON (since 14 May 2017); represented by Prefect Bruno ANDRE (since September 2023)
Economy
- Economic Overview
- high-income, French North American territorial economy; primarily fishing exports; substantial French Government support; highly seasonal labor force; euro user; increasing tourism and aquaculture investments
- GDP (Official Rate)
- $261.3 million (2015 est.)
- Major Industries
- fish processing and supply base for fishing fleets; tourism