Overseas Department
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 (Overseas Departments) or DOMs.
Saint-Pierre and Miquelon became a DOM in 1976, but its status changed to that of a collectivité territoriale 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 decentralization, 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 regions are now to be called département
