Overseas region (French: Région d'outre-mer) is a recent designation given to the Overseas departments that have similar powers to those of the regions of metropolitan France. They have had these powers since 1982, when France's decentralisation policy dictated that they be given elected regional councils along with other regional powers. It was not until the 2003 constitutional change that these regions are now to be called overseas regions; indeed, the new wording of the Constitution aims to give no precedence to either appellation overseas department or overseas region, although the second one is still virtually unused by French media.
The following have overseas region status:
- 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)
Saint Pierre and Miquelon were once an overseas department, but were demoted to a territorial collectivity in 1985, before the French regions were created.
Read more about Overseas Region: Powers
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