Overseas departments of France

France currently has five overseas departments (), which are departments (territorial divisions) that are outside the European part of the country. All are officially part of France, with the same political status as the departments in Europe; and are therefore different to overseas territories. They are also part of the European Union and use the Euro as currency. They are:

+Current overseas departments of France Flag Department Prefecture Region Since Instrument 50px|alt=Flag of French Guiana French Guiana() Cayenne South America 19 March 1946 Parliamentary resolution 50px|alt=Flag of Guadeloupe Guadeloupe() Basse-Terre Caribbean 19 March 1946 Parliamentary resolution 50px|alt=Flag of Martinique Martinique() Fort-de-France Caribbean 19 March 1946 Parliamentary resolution 50px|alt=Flag of Mayotte Mayotte() Mamoudzou Africa 31 March 2011 Referendum 50px|alt=Flag of Réunion Réunion() Saint-Denis Africa 19 March 1946 Parliamentary resolution
Since 2003, these departments are now officially called overseas regions (), but this name has yet to be widely adopted. Each region returns elected representatives to the Senate and National Assembly in Paris. A total of three members are elected to the European Parliament to represent overseas France, including overseas departments and overseas territories. Since 1974, these regions have had their own individual regional councils for local government.

 References 

 Other websites 

 Ministry of the overseas departments and territories 
 History of France’s overseas administrative divisions