The Futuna island group was
discovered by the Dutch in 1616 and Wallis by the British in 1767, but it
was the French who declared a protectorate over the islands in 1842. In
1959, the inhabitants of the islands voted to become a French overseas
territory.
Geography
Wallis and Futuna
Location:
Oceania, islands in the South
Pacific Ocean, about two-thirds of the way from Hawaii to New Zealand
Geographic coordinates:
13 18 S, 176 12 W
Map references:
Oceania
Area:
total: 274 sq km
land: 274 sq km water: 0 sq km note:
includes Ile Uvea (Wallis Island), Ile Futuna (Futuna Island), Ile Alofi,
and 20 islets
tropical; hot, rainy season
(November to April); cool, dry season (May to October); rains 2,500-3,000
mm per year (80% humidity); average temperature 26.6 degrees C
Terrain:
volcanic origin; low hills
Elevation extremes:
lowest point: Pacific
Ocean 0 m highest point: Mont Singavi 765 m
deforestation (only small
portions of the original forests remain) largely as a result of the
continued use of wood as the main fuel source; as a consequence of cutting
down the forests, the mountainous terrain of Futuna is particularly prone
to erosion; there are no permanent settlements on Alofi because of the
lack of natural fresh water resources
Geography - note:
both island groups have
fringing reefs
People
Wallis and Futuna
Population:
16,448 (July 2008 est.)
Age structure:
0-14 years: NA
15-64 years: NA 65 years and over: NA
Population growth rate:
NA
Birth rate:
NA
Death rate:
NA (2008 est.)
Net migration rate:
NA note: there has
been steady emigration from Wallis and Futuna to New Caledonia (2008 est.)
Infant mortality rate:
total: NA
male: NA female: NA (2008 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:
total population: NA
male: NA female: NA (2008 est.)
Total fertility rate:
NA (2008 est.)
HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:
NA
HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:
NA
HIV/AIDS - deaths:
NA
Nationality:
noun: Wallisian(s),
Futunan(s), or Wallis and Futuna Islanders adjective:
Wallisian, Futunan, or Wallis and Futuna Islander
Ethnic groups:
Polynesian
Religions:
Roman Catholic 99%, other 1%
Languages:
Wallisian 58.9% (indigenous
Polynesian language), Futunian 30.1%, French 10.8%, other 0.2% (2003
census)
Literacy:
definition: age 15 and
over can read and write total population: 50% male:
50% female: 50% (1969 est.)
Government
Wallis and Futuna
Country name:
conventional long form:
Territory of the Wallis and Futuna Islands conventional short
form: Wallis and Futuna local long form: Territoire des
Iles Wallis et Futuna local short form: Wallis et Futuna
Dependency status:
overseas territory of France
Government type:
NA
Capital:
name: Mata-Utu (on Ile
Uvea) geographic coordinates: 13 57 S, 171 56 W time
difference: UTC+12 (17 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard
Time)
Administrative divisions:
none (overseas territory of
France); there are no first-order administrative divisions as defined by
the US Government, but there are three kingdoms at the second order named
Alo, Sigave, Wallis
Independence:
none (overseas territory of
France)
National holiday:
Bastille Day, 14 July (1789)
Constitution:
4 October 1958 (French
Constitution)
Legal system:
the laws of France, where
applicable, apply
Suffrage:
18 years of age; universal
Executive branch:
chief of state:
President Nicolas SARKOZY (since 16 May 2007); represented by High
Administrator Richard DIDIER (since 19 July 2006) head of
government: President of the Territorial Assembly Patalione KANIMOA
(since January 2001) cabinet: Council of the Territory consists
of three kings and three members appointed by the high administrator on
the advice of the Territorial Assembly note: there are three
traditional kings with limited powers elections: French
president elected by popular vote for a five-year term; high administrator
appointed by the French president on the advice of the French Ministry of
the Interior; the presidents of the Territorial Government and the
Territorial Assembly are elected by the members of the assembly
Legislative branch:
unicameral Territorial Assembly
or Assemblee Territoriale (20 seats; members are elected by popular vote
to serve five-year terms) elections: last held 11 March 2002
(next to be held 22 April 2007) election results: percent of
vote by party - NA; seats by party - RPR and affiliates 13, Socialists and
affiliates 7 note: Wallis and Futuna elects one senator to the
French Senate and one deputy to the French National Assembly; French
Senate - elections last held 26 September 2004 (next to be held by
September 2010); results - percent of vote by party - NA; seats - RPR (now
UMP) 1; French National Assembly - elections last held 17 June 2007 (next
to be held by 2012); results - percent of vote by party - NA; seats - PS 1
Judicial branch:
justice generally administered
under French law by the high administrator, but the three traditional
kings administer customary law and there is a magistrate in Mata-Utu; a
court of appeal is located in Noumea, New Caledonia
Political parties and leaders:
Lua Kae Tahi (Giscardians);
Mouvement des Radicaux de Gauche or MRG; Rally for the Republic or RPR
(UMP) [Clovis LOGOLOGOFOLAU]; Socialist Party or PS; Taumu'a Lelei [Soane
Muni UHILA]; Union Populaire Locale or UPL [Falakiko GATA]; Union Pour la
Democratie Francaise or UDF
Political pressure groups and leaders:
NA
International organization participation:
SPC, UPU
Diplomatic representation in the US:
none (overseas territory of
France)
Diplomatic representation from the US:
none (overseas territory of
France)
Flag description:
unofficial, local flag has a
red field with four white isosceles triangles in the middle, representing
the three native kings of the islands and the French administrator; the
apexes of the triangles are oriented inward and at right angles to each
other; the flag of France, outlined in white on two sides, is in the upper
hoist quadrant; the flag of France is the only official flag
Economy
Wallis and Futuna
Economy - overview:
The economy is limited to
traditional subsistence agriculture, with about 80% of labor force
earnings from agriculture (coconuts and vegetables), livestock (mostly
pigs), and fishing. About 4% of the population is employed in government.
Revenues come from French Government subsidies, licensing of fishing
rights to Japan and South Korea, import taxes, and remittances from
expatriate workers in New Caledonia.
