There are two levels of administrative divisions of French Polynesia and five administrative subdivisions (French: subdivisions administratives). Each of these is further divided into a total of 48 communes. Many of the communes are further subdivided into communes associées. The breakdown into administrative subdivisions was as a result of decree #72-408 of May 17, 1972, and the communes were thereafter established as a result of law #71-1028, dated December 24, 1971.
Papeete is the largest city in and capital of French Polynesia on the island of Tahiti.
French Polynesia is divided into groups of islands or archipelagos – Society Archipelago, Tuamoto Archipelago, Austral Archipelago, Gambier Archipelago and the Marquesa Archipelago.