The French overseas collectivities (French: collectivité d'outre-mer abbreviated as COM) are first-order administrative divisions of France, like the French regions, but have a semi-autonomous status.
The COMs include some former French overseas colonies and other French overseas entities with a particular status, all of which became COMs by constitutional reform on 28 March 2003.
The COMs differ from overseas regions and overseas departments, which have the same status as metropolitan France but are located outside Europe.
As integral parts of France, overseas collectivities are represented in the National Assembly, Senate and Economic and Social Council.
The Pacific COMs use the CFP franc, a currency pegged to the euro, whereas the Atlantic COMs use the euro itself.