Territorial collectivity of France, eight
small islands off the S coast of
Newfoundland, Canada. area St Pierre group 26
sq km/10 sq mi; Miquelon-Langlade group 216
sq km/83 sq mi capital St Pierre features the
last surviving remnant of France's North
American empire products fish currency French
franc population (1987) 6,300 language French
religion Roman Catholic government
French-appointed commissioner and elected
local council; one representative in the
National Assembly in France history settled
17th century by Breton and Basque fishermen;
French territory 1816-1976; overseas
departement until 1985; violent protests 1989
when France tried to impose its claim to a
200-mi/320-km fishing zone around the
islands; Canada maintains that there is only
a 12-mi/19-km zone.