Saint Pierre and Miquelon

Saint Pierre and Miquelon, groups of French islands in the Atlantic Ocean, south of Newfoundland. The capital is Saint Pierre. First visited in the 17th century by Breton and Basque fishermen, the islands' ownership was long disputed between France and England. They became France's in 1814 and are now an overseas department, electing a deputy and senator to parliament. Fisheries (for cod and others), fox- and mink-farming, and tourism are important industries.