French Polynesia is divided into groups of islands or archipelagos – Society Archipelago, Tuamoto Archipelago, Austral Archipelago, Gambier Archipelago and the Marquesa Archipelago.
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.
The islands of French Polynesia have a total land area of 4,167 square kilometres (1,622 sq. mi) scattered over 2,500,000 square kilometres (965,255 sq. mi) of ocean. There are around 130 islands in French Polynesia.