The Wallis and Futuna islands, French Polynesia and New Caledonia may be scattered across the southern rim of the Pacific, separated from France by oceans and continents.

CNN: HE BRITISH FORCES LANDED

France's continuing nuclear tests in the South Pacific have turned the international spotlight, if only briefly, on Tahiti and the other islands in French Polynesia.

CNN: HE BRITISH FORCES LANDED

Last week's move by French Polynesia overtook the Marshall Islands' area, outlined in late 2011, as the world's largest - and the Cook Island's claim adds 40% more area to that title.

BBC: Cook Islands' shark sanctuary creates world's largest