An overseas department (French: département d’outre-mer or DOM) is a department of France that is outside metropolitan France. They have the same political status as metropolitan departments. As integral parts of France and the European Union, overseas departments are represented in the National Assembly, Senate, and Economic and Social Council, vote to elect European Parliament (MEP), and also use the Euro as their currency. Each overseas department is also an overseas region.
As of March 2011, the overseas departments of France are the following:
- French Guiana in South America
- Guadeloupe in North America (the Caribbean)
- Martinique in North America (the Caribbean)
- Réunion in Africa (the Indian Ocean)
- Mayotte in Africa (the Indian Ocean)
Read more about Overseas Department: History, Demographics
Famous quotes containing the word department:
““Which is more important to you, your field or your children?” the department head asked. She replied, “That’s like asking me if I could walk better if you amputated my right leg or my left leg.””
—Anonymous Parent. As quoted in Women and the Work Family Dilemma, by Deborah J. Swiss and Judith P. Walker, ch. 2 (1993)