Abstract EN:

ASince these islands were granted formal status as overseas French departments in 1946, they have undergone a conclusive political, economic and social transformation. French state aid is still trying to make up for lost time (in respect of health, education, social issues, public facilities) and this in turn has lead to financial dependence. Regionalisation, which in theory restores self rule to elected representatives has not been made easy by the poor level of the island resources. The last fifty years have also witnessed exposure to key global business factors. External capital and international corporations are taking over from the indigenous players within the local economy. Modernisation, the growing number of civil-servants and global exposure are weakening the cultural identity which tries to rekindle itself in the Creole melting-pot. This social, political and economic evolution is generating new forms of territorial organisation. Urban development is supplanting and prevailing over rural culture.