Département d'outre-mer

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This article is part of the series on Administrative divisions of France
Regional level
Région (incl. Overseas régions)
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Département (incl. Overseas départements)
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Arrondissement
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Canton
Intercommunal level
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Communal level
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Overseas
Collectivité d'outre-mer Collectivité sui generis Pays d'outre-mer Territoire d'outre-mer Scattered islands Clipperton Island

Under the 1946 Constitution of the Fourth Republic, the French colonies of Guadeloupe, Martinique and French Guiana in the Caribbean and Réunion in the Indian Ocean became départements d'outre-mer (in English Overseas Departments) or DOMs.

The status of DOMs differs from that of Overseas Territories (TOMs), but because of some common peculiarities, DOMs, TOMs and other part of overseas France with other statuses are often referred to as DOM/TOM.

Saint-Pierre and Miquelon became a DOM in 1976, but its status changed to that of a collectivité d'outre-mer in 1985.

As integral parts of the French Republic, they are represented in the National Assembly, Senate and Economic and Social Council, elect a Member of the European Parliament (MEP), and also use the Euro as their currency.

Since 1982, following the French government's policy of decentralisation, they have elected regional councils with powers similar to those of the régions of metropolitan France. As a result of a constitutional revision which occurred in 2003, these régions are now to be called régions d'outre-mer; indeed the new wording of the Constitution aims to give no precedence to either appellation département or région d'outre-mer, though the second one is still virtually unused by French media.