Wallis and Futuna

Overseas collectivity of France

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Overseas collectivity of France

Wallis and Futuna

Wallis-et-Futuna (French)
ʻUvea mo Futuna (Wallisian and Futunan)

Overseas collectivity of France

Territory of the Wallis and Futuna Islands
Territoire des îles Wallis-et-Futuna (French)
Motto:

"Liberté, égalité, fraternité" (French) (English: "Liberty, equality, fraternity")

Anthem: La Marseillaise
("The Marseillaise")

Location of Wallis and Futuna

Sovereign state|  France
Protectorate over Wallis| 5 April 1887
Protectorate over Alo and Sigave| 16 February 1888
Separation from New Caledonia| 29 July 1961
Current status| 28 March 2003
Capital

and largest city

| Mata Utu
13°17′S 176°11′W﻿ / ﻿13.283°S 176.183°W﻿ / -13.283; -176.183
Official languages| French
Common languages|

* Wallisian
* Futunan

Demonym(s)|

* Wallisian
* Futunan

Government| Devolved parliamentary dependency

• President of France

| Emmanuel Macron

• Administrator Superior

| Hervé Jonathan

• Assembly President

| Munipoese Muli’aka’aka

• King of Uvea

| Patalione Kanimoa

• King of Alo

| Lino Leleivai

• King of Sigave

| Eufenio Takala
Legislature| Territorial Assembly
French Parliament

• Senate

| 1 senator (of 348)

• National Assembly

| 1 seat (of 577)
Area

• Total

| 142.42 km2 (54.99 sq mi)

• Water (%)

| negligible
Highest elevation

| 524 m (1,719 ft)
Population

• 2023[1] census

| 11,151 (not ranked)

• Density

| 78.3/km2 (202.8/sq mi) (not ranked)
GDP (nominal)| 2019 estimate

• Total

| US$212 million[2]

• Per capita

| US$18,360[2]
Currency| CFP franc (₣) (XPF)
Time zone| UTC+12:00
Driving side| Right
Calling code| +681
INSEE code|

986

ISO 3166 code|

* WF
* FR-WF

Internet TLD| .wf and .fr

Wallis and Futuna, officially the Territory of the Wallis and Futuna Islands[A][3] (/ˈwɒlɪs ... fuːˈtuːnə/ ⓘ), is a French island collectivity in the South Pacific, situated between Tuvalu to the northwest, Fiji to the southwest, Tonga to the southeast, Samoa to the east, and Tokelau to the northeast.

Mata Utu is its capital and largest city. Wallis and Futuna is associated with the European Union as an overseas country and territory (OCT).[4] The territory's land area is 142.42 km2 (54.99 sq mi). It had a population of 11,151 at the July 2023 census (down from 14,944 at the 2003 census).[1] The territory is made up of three main volcanic tropical islands and a number of tiny islets. It is divided into two island groups that lie about 260 km (160 mi) apart: the Wallis Islands (also known as Uvea) in the northeast; and the Hoorn Islands (also known as the Futuna Islands) in the southwest, including Futuna Island proper and the mostly uninhabited Alofi Island.

Since 28 March 2003, Wallis and Futuna has been a French overseas collectivity (collectivité d'outre-mer, or COM).[5] Between 1961 and 2003, it had the status of a French overseas territory (territoire d'outre-mer, or TOM). Its official name did not change with the change in its status.

## History

[edit]

Drawing of Wallis Island by Captain Samuel Wallis in 1767 Coastal view of Wallis island by Captain James Cook in 1773 Ruins of the Talietumu fort

### Early humans

[edit]

The earliest signs of human habitation on these islands are artifacts characteristic of the Lapita culture, dating roughly to between 850 and 800 BCE. The islands served as natural stopover points for boat traffic, mostly between Fiji and Samoa. During Tongan invasions in the 15th and 16th centuries, the islands defended themselves with varying levels of resistance, but also accepted varying degrees of assimilation. Futuna retained more of its pre-Tongan cultural features, while Wallis underwent greater fundamental changes in its society, language, and culture.[6] The original inhabitants built forts and other identifiable structures on the islands (many of which are in ruins), some of which are still partially intact. Oral history and archaeological evidence suggests that the Tongan invaders re-occupied and modified some of these structures. The oral history also preserves a cultural memory of relationships between Samoa and Futuna that are so longstanding that they are described in the islanders' origin stories.[6]

### European settlements

[edit]

Futuna was first put on European maps by Willem Schouten and Jacob Le Maire, during their circumnavigation of the globe, in 1616. They named the islands of Futuna "Hoornse Eylanden", after the Dutch town of Hoorn where they hailed from. This was later translated into French, as "Isles de Horne". The Wallis Islands are named after the British explorer Samuel Wallis, who sailed past them in 1767, after being the first European to visit Tahiti.[7][8] The French were the first Europeans to settle in the territory,[9] with the arrival of French missionaries in 1837, who converted the population to Roman Catholicism. Pierre Chanel, canonized in 1954, is a major patron saint of the island of Futuna and of the region.

On 5 April 1842, the missionaries asked for the protection of France, after the uprising of part of the local population. On 5 April 1887, the queen of Uvea (of the traditional chiefdom of Wallis) signed a treaty, officially establishing a French protectorate. The kings of Sigave and Alo (on the islands of Futuna and Alofi) also signed a treaty establishing a French protectorate, on 16 February 1888. From that moment, the islands were officially under the authority of the French colony of New Caledonia.

In 1917, the three traditional kingdoms of Uvea, Sigave, and Alo were annexed by France, integrated into the colony of Wallis and Futuna, and remained under the authority of the colony of New Caledonia.[10]

### World War II

[edit]

Main article: Wallis and Futuna during the Second World War

* v
* t
* e

Military actions of Vichy France during World War II

1940

* Mers-el-Kébir
* Gibraltar
* Dakar
* Gabon
* 1st French Indochina
* Bắc Sơn uprising [vi]
* Franco-Thai War
* Cochinchina uprising
* Đô Lương mutiny
* Phum Preav
* Ko Chang

1941

* Angkor
* Syria–Lebanon
* Saint Pierre and Miquelon

1942

* Madagascar
* Torch
* Terminal
* Reservist
* Case Anton
* Toulon
* Réunion

1944

* Maquis des Glières
* Mont Mouchet
* Vercours
* Paris
* Phai Khắt and Nà Ngần

1945

* Ba Tơ uprising
* 2nd French Indochina

During World War II, the islands' administration was briefly pro-Vichy, until a Free French corvette from New Caledonia deposed the regime, on 26 May 1942. Units of the US Marine Corps later landed on Wallis, on 29 May 1942.[11]

### Overseas territory

[edit]

In 1959, the inhabitants of the islands voted to become a separate French overseas territory, effective since 29 July 1961,[5] thus ending their subordination to New Caledonia.[12]

In 2005, the 50th king of Uvea, Tomasi Kulimoetoke II, faced being deposed after giving sanctuary to his grandson who was convicted of manslaughter. The king claimed his grandson should be judged by tribal law rather than by the French penal system. As a result, there were riots in the streets involving the king's supporters, who were victorious over attempts to replace the king. Two years later, Tomasi Kulimoetoke died on 7 May 2007. There was a six-month period of mourning, during which mentioning a successor was forbidden.[13] On 25 July 2008, Kapeliele Faupala was installed as king despite protests from some of the royal clans. He was deposed in 2014. A new king, Patalione Kanimoa, was eventually installed in Uvea in 2016; Lino Leleivai in Alo on Futuna succeeded after Filipo Katoa abdicated, and Eufenio Takala succeeded Polikalepo Kolivai in Sigave. The French president at the time, François Hollande, attended the installation ceremony.

## Governance and law

[edit]

Main article: Politics of Wallis and Futuna

The territory is divided into three traditional kingdoms (royaumes coutumiers): Uvea, on the island of Wallis, Sigave, on the western part of the island of Futuna, and Alo, on the eastern part of the island of Futuna and on the uninhabited island of Alofi (only Uvea is further subdivided, into three districts):

Kingdom
District | Capital | Area
(km2) | Population
2003 census | Population
2018 census | Population
2023 census | 2003–2018
evolution | Villages[a]

|
|
|
|
|
|
|

Wallis Island
Uvea (Wallis) | Mata Utu | 77.5 | 10,071 | 8,333 | 8,088 |  −17.3% | 21
Hihifo ("west") | Vaitupu | 23.4 | 2,422 | 1,942 | 1,855 |  −19.8% | 5
Hahake ("east") | Mata Utu | 27.8 | 3,950 | 3,415 | 3,343 |  −13.5% | 6
Mu'a ("first") | Mala'efo'ou[b] | 26.3 | 3,699 | 2,976 | 2,890 |  −19.5% | 10
Futuna[c]
Sigave (Singave) | Leava | 16.75 | 1,880 | 1,275 | 1,188 |  −32.2% | 6
Alo | Mala'e | 47.5 | 2,993 | 1,950 | 1,875 |  −34.8% | 9
Total Futuna | Leava | 64.25 | 4,873 | 3,225 | 3,063 |  −33.8% | 15
Overall total | Mata Utu | 142.42 | 14,944 | 11,558 | 11,151 |  −22.7% | 36

1. ^ Refers to villages with municipal status.
2. ^ Formerly called Mua.
3. ^ Alofi is virtually uninhabited; administratively it falls under Alo.

The capital of the collectivity is Mata Utu on the island of Uvéa, the most populous of the Wallis Islands. As an overseas collectivity of France, it is governed under the French constitution of 28 September 1958, and has universal suffrage for those over 18 years of age. The French president is elected by popular vote for a five-year term; the high administrator is appointed by the French president on the advice of the French Ministry of the Interior and heads the Territory Government; the president of the Territorial Assembly is elected by the members of the assembly. The most recent election was held on 20 March 2022.[14]

As of 2023, the head of state is President Emmanuel Macron of France, as represented by Administrator-Superior Hervé Jonathan.[15] The president of the Territorial Assembly has been Munipoese Muliʻakaʻaka since March 2022.[16] The Council of the Territory consists of three kings (monarchs of the three pre-colonial kingdoms) and three members appointed by the high administrator on the advice of the Territorial Assembly.

The legislative branch consists of the unicameral 20-member Territorial Assembly or Assemblée territoriale. Its members are elected by popular vote, and serve five-year terms. Wallis and Futuna elects one senator to the French Senate and one deputy to the French National Assembly.

Criminal justice is generally governed by French law and administered by a tribunal of first resort in Mata Utu; appeals from that tribunal are decided by the Court of Appeal in Nouméa, New Caledonia. However, in non-criminal cases (civil-law disputes), the three traditional kingdoms administer justice according to customary law.

The territory participates in the Franc Zone, and is both a permanent member of the Secretariat of the Pacific Community and an observer at the Pacific Islands Forum.

## Geography and climate

[edit]

Location map of Wallis and Futuna in relation to France. Map of the territory of Wallis and Futuna Aerial view of Wallis Island (Uvea)

Wallis and Futuna is located at 13°18′S 176°12′W﻿ / ﻿13.300°S 176.200°W﻿ / -13.300; -176.200, 360 km (220 mi) west of Samoa and 480 km (300 mi) northeast of Fiji — about one-third of the way northeast from New Zealand towards Hawaii.

The territory includes the island of Uvéa (also called Wallis), which is the most populous; the island of Futuna; the virtually uninhabited island of Alofi; and 20 uninhabited islets. The total area of the territory is 274 km2 (106 sq mi), with 129 km (80 mi) of coastline. The highest point in the territory is Mont Puke, on the island of Futuna, at 524 m (1,719 ft).

The islands have a hot, rainy season from November to April, when tropical cyclones passing over them cause storms. Then they have a cool, dry season from May to October, caused by the southeast trade winds that predominate during those months. The average annual rainfall is between 2,500 and 3,000 millimeters (98 and 118 inches), and rain is likely on at least 260 days per year. The average humidity is 80%. The average annual temperature is 26.6 °C (79.9 °F), rarely falling below 24.0 °C (75.2 °F); during the rainy season, it ranges between 28.0 and 32.0 °C (82.4 and 89.6 °F).

Only 5% of the islands' land area consists of arable land; permanent crops cover another 20%. Deforestation is a serious problem: Only small portions of the original forests remain, largely because the inhabitants use wood as their main fuel source, and, as a result, the mountainous terrain of Futuna is particularly susceptible to erosion. The island of Alofi lacks natural freshwater resources, so it has no permanent settlements.

Volcanic activity during the mid-Pleistocene created numerous volcanic crater lakes on Uvea (Wallis Island). The names of some of them are: Lalolalo, Lano, Lanutavake, Lanutuli, Lanumaha, Kikila, and Alofivai.[17]

Wallis and Futuna is part of the Fiji tropical moist forests terrestrial ecoregion.[18]

Climate data for Mata Utu (Köppen Af)

Month  | Jan  | Feb  | Mar  | Apr  | May  | Jun  | Jul  | Aug  | Sep  | Oct  | Nov  | Dec  | Year
Mean daily maximum °C (°F)  | 30.3
(86.5)  | 30.4
(86.7)  | 30.3
(86.5)  | 30.3
(86.5)  | 29.7
(85.5)  | 29.4
(84.9)  | 28.9
(84.0)  | 29.1
(84.4)  | 29.3
(84.7)  | 29.5
(85.1)  | 29.9
(85.8)  | 30.3
(86.5)  | 29.8
(85.6)
Daily mean °C (°F)  | 27.4
(81.3)  | 27.5
(81.5)  | 27.4
(81.3)  | 27.4
(81.3)  | 27.0
(80.6)  | 26.9
(80.4)  | 26.5
(79.7)  | 26.6
(79.9)  | 26.8
(80.2)  | 26.9
(80.4)  | 27.1
(80.8)  | 27.4
(81.3)  | 27.1
(80.7)
Mean daily minimum °C (°F)  | 24.4
(75.9)  | 24.5
(76.1)  | 24.5
(76.1)  | 24.4
(75.9)  | 24.3
(75.7)  | 24.4
(75.9)  | 24.0
(75.2)  | 24.1
(75.4)  | 24.2
(75.6)  | 24.2
(75.6)  | 24.3
(75.7)  | 24.4
(75.9)  | 24.3
(75.8)
Average precipitation mm (inches)  | 381.4
(15.02)  | 301.3
(11.86)  | 373.5
(14.70)  | 287.6
(11.32)  | 258.4
(10.17)  | 159.3
(6.27)  | 186.5
(7.34)  | 149.9
(5.90)  | 221.1
(8.70)  | 330.4
(13.01)  | 322.9
(12.71)  | 350.3
(13.79)  | 3,322.6
(130.79)
Average rainy days  | 20  | 19  | 19  | 16  | 16  | 14  | 14  | 14  | 14  | 19  | 17  | 19  | 201
Source: Weatherbase[19]

Climate data for Hihifo District (Köppen Af)

Month  | Jan  | Feb  | Mar  | Apr  | May  | Jun  | Jul  | Aug  | Sep  | Oct  | Nov  | Dec  | Year
Record high °C (°F)  | 33.0
(91.4)  | 33.0
(91.4)  | 32.8
(91.0)  | 33.4
(92.1)  | 32.8
(91.0)  | 32.1
(89.8)  | 31.4
(88.5)  | 31.5
(88.7)  | 32.0
(89.6)  | 31.9
(89.4)  | 33.1
(91.6)  | 32.7
(90.9)  | 33.4
(92.1)
Mean daily maximum °C (°F)  | 30.7
(87.3)  | 30.8
(87.4)  | 30.9
(87.6)  | 30.8
(87.4)  | 30.4
(86.7)  | 29.8
(85.6)  | 29.4
(84.9)  | 29.6
(85.3)  | 29.9
(85.8)  | 30.1
(86.2)  | 30.5
(86.9)  | 30.7
(87.3)  | 30.3
(86.5)
Daily mean °C (°F)  | 27.9
(82.2)  | 27.9
(82.2)  | 27.9
(82.2)  | 28.0
(82.4)  | 27.7
(81.9)  | 27.5
(81.5)  | 27.0
(80.6)  | 27.1
(80.8)  | 27.3
(81.1)  | 27.4
(81.3)  | 27.6
(81.7)  | 27.9
(82.2)  | 27.6
(81.7)
Mean daily minimum °C (°F)  | 25.0
(77.0)  | 25.0
(77.0)  | 25.0
(77.0)  | 25.1
(77.2)  | 25.0
(77.0)  | 25.1
(77.2)  | 24.6
(76.3)  | 24.6
(76.3)  | 24.8
(76.6)  | 24.7
(76.5)  | 24.8
(76.6)  | 25.0
(77.0)  | 24.9
(76.8)
Record low °C (°F)  | 19.9
(67.8)  | 20.5
(68.9)  | 19.6
(67.3)  | 19.3
(66.7)  | 18.5
(65.3)  | 19.7
(67.5)  | 18.0
(64.4)  | 18.4
(65.1)  | 19.2
(66.6)  | 19.5
(67.1)  | 20.5
(68.9)  | 19.5
(67.1)  | 18.0
(64.4)
Average precipitation mm (inches)  | 395.2
(15.56)  | 332.1
(13.07)  | 309.3
(12.18)  | 289.1
(11.38)  | 223.8
(8.81)  | 179.7
(7.07)  | 213.4
(8.40)  | 165.3
(6.51)  | 219.8
(8.65)  | 297.8
(11.72)  | 306.2
(12.06)  | 347.0
(13.66)  | 3,278.7
(129.08)
Average precipitation days (≥ 1.0 mm) | 20.2  | 18.1  | 19.3  | 17.4  | 16.7  | 14.8  | 15.6  | 14.5  | 15.4  | 17.7  | 18.0  | 19.9  | 207.6
Mean monthly sunshine hours | 170.9  | 161.4  | 175.4  | 185.9  | 180.8  | 167.9  | 179.8  | 192.5  | 191.0  | 187.4  | 181.6  | 175.2  | 2,149.9
Source: Météo France[20]

## Islands

[edit]

Satellite image of Wallis Island

Satellite image of Futuna Island and Alofi Island, also known as the Hoorn Islands

Island | Capital | Other villages | Area (km2) | Population[1]

|
|
|
|

Wallis and Futuna | Mata Utu | Leava, Vaitupu, Alele, Liku, Falaleu, Utufua | 142.42 | 11,558
Hoorn Islands
(Futuna and Alofi islands) | Leava | Fiua, Nuku, Taoa, Mala'e, Ono, Vele | 64.1 | 3,239
Alofi |  |  | 17.8 | 0
Futuna | Leava | Toloke, Fiua, Vaisei, Nuku, Taoa, Mala'e, Kolopelu, Ono, Kolia, Vele, Kolotai, Laloua, Poi, Tamana, Tuatafa, Tavai
[Does this total include Nukuloa etc.? If so, it should be indicated as a sub-total.] | 46.3 | 3,225
Faioa |  |  | 0.68 | 0
Fenuafo'ou |  |  | 0.03 | 0
Fugalei |  |  | 0.18 | 0
Ilot St. Christophe | Chappel St. Christophe | [How can an uninhabited island have a capital?] | 0.03 | 0
Luaniva |  |  | 0.18 | 0
Nukuatea |  |  | 0.74 | 0
Nukufotu |  |  | 0.04 | 0
Nukuhifala | Nukuhifala |  | 0.067 | 4
Nukuhione |  |  | 0.02 | 0
Nukuloa | Nukuloa |  | 0.35 | 10
Nukutapu |  |  | 0.05 | 0
Nukuteatea |  |  | 0.1 | 0
Other | Nukuato |  | 0.043 | 0
Wallis Islands | Mata Utu | Vaitupu, Alele, Liku, Falaleu, Utufua, Mala'efo'ou, Mala'e | 75.9 | 8,333
Wallis (island) | Mata Utu | Vaitupu, Alele, Liku, Falaleu, Utufua, Mala'efo'ou, Mala'e | 75.8 | 8,333
Tekaviki |  |  | 0.01 | 0
Other |  |  | 0 | 0
Wallis and Futuna | Mata Utu | Leava, Vaitupu, Alele, Liku, Falaleu, Utufua | 142.42 | 11,558

## Flora and fauna

[edit]

See also: List of mammals of the Wallis and Futuna Islands

## Economy

[edit]

Main article: Economy of Wallis and Futuna

The GDP of Wallis and Futuna in 2019 was US$212 million (at market exchange rates).[2] The territory's economy consists mostly of traditional subsistence agriculture, with about 80% of the labor force earning its livelihood from agriculture (coconuts and vegetables), livestock (mostly pigs), and fishing. About 4% of the population is employed in government. Additional revenue comes from French government subsidies, licensing of fishing rights to Japan and South Korea, import taxes, and remittances from expatriate workers in New Caledonia, French Polynesia, and France. Industries include copra, handicrafts, fishing, and lumber. Agricultural products include coconuts, breadfruit, yams, taro, bananas, pigs, and fish. Exports include copra, chemicals, and fish.

There is a single bank in the territory, Banque de Wallis-et-Futuna, established in 1991. It is a subsidiary of BNP Paribas. There had previously been a branch of Banque Indosuez at Mata Utu. It had opened in 1977, but was closed in 1989, leaving the territory without any bank for two years.

## Demographics

[edit]

### Population

[edit]

Main article: Demographics of Wallis and Futuna

Futuna Island Alofi Island

The total population of the territory at the July 2023 census was 11,151 (72.5% on the island of Wallis, 27.5% on the island of Futuna),[21] down from 14,944 at the July 2003 census.[22] The vast majority of the population are of Polynesian ethnicity, with a small minority who were born in Metropolitan France or are of French European descent.

Lack of economic opportunities has, since the 1950s, been impelling many young Wallisians and Futunians to migrate to the more prosperous French territory of New Caledonia, where, as French citizens, they are legally entitled to settle and work. Since the mid-2000s, emigration has surged in response to political tensions on the main island of Wallis (Uvea), that have arisen from a feud between rival aristocratic clans, who are supporting competing kings. Emigrants have begun settling, not only in New Caledonia, but also much farther away, in Metropolitan France. At the 2019 New Caledonian census, 22,520 residents of New Caledonia (whether born in New Caledonia or in Wallis and Futuna) reported their ethnicity as "Wallisian and Futunian".[23] This is almost double the total population of Wallis and Futuna.

#### Historical population

[edit]

1969 | 1976 | 1983 | 1990 | 1996 | 2003 | 2008 | 2013 | 2018 | 2023

|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|

8,546 | 9,192 | 12,408 | 13,705 | 14,166 | 14,944 | 13,484 | 12,197 | 11,558 | 11,151
Official figures from past censuses.[22][24][21]

### Languages

[edit]

Further information: Wallisian language and Futunan language

Percentages of speakers of each language  Language most spoken
at home in
Wallis and Futuna[25] | 2008  | 2013  | 2018  | 2023  | Change
(2018 – 2023)

|
|
|
|
|

Wallisian | 60.15 | 58.14 | 59.15 | 57.32 | 1.83
Futunan | 29.89 | 28.40 | 27.89 | 28.20 | 0.31
French | 9.71 | 13.08 | 12.72 | 14.29 | 1.57
Other  | 0.25 | 0.38 | 0.24 | 0.19 | 0.05

Languages spoken at home in Wallis and Futuna (2018 Census)[26]

1. Wallisian (59.1%)
2. Futunan (27.9%)
3. French (12.7%)

According to the 2018 census, among people 14 years and older, 59.1% reported Wallisian as the language they spoke the most at home (down from 60.2% in 2008), 27.9% reported Futunan (down from 29.9% in 2008), and 12.7% reported French (up from 9.7% in 2008).[26][27] On Wallis Island, the languages most spoken at home were Wallisian (82.2%, down from 86.1% in 2008), French (15.6%, up from 12.1% in 2008), and Futunan (1.9%, up from 1.5% in 2008).[26][27] On Futuna, the languages most spoken at home were Futunan (94.5%, down from 94.9% in 2008), French (5.3%, up from 4.2% in 2008), and Wallisian (0.2%, down from 0.8% in 2008).[26][27]

At the 2018 census, 90.5% of people 14 y/o and older could speak, read and write either Wallisian or Futunan (up from 88.5% at the 2008 census), and 7.2% had no knowledge of either Wallisian or Futunan (same percentage as at the 2008 census).[28][29]

Among those 14 y/o and older, 84.2% could speak, read and write French in 2018 (up from 78.2% at the 2008 census), and 11.8% reported that they had no knowledge of French (down from 17.3% at the 2008 census).[30][31] On Wallis Island, 85.1% of people age 14 or older could speak, read and write French (up from 81.1% at the 2008 census), and 10.9% reported that they had no knowledge of French (down from 14.3% at the 2008 census).[30][31] On Futuna, 81.9% of people age 14 or older could speak, read and write French (up from 71.6% at the 2008 census), and 14.0% had no knowledge of French (down from 24.3% at the 2008 census).[30][31]

### Religion

[edit]

Cathedral of Our Lady of the Assumption, Mata-Utu

The overwhelming majority (99%) of the people in Wallis and Futuna are Catholics, with the island having been evangelized in the 19th century by Fr Peter Chanel, SM.[32] They are served by their own Diocese of Wallis and Futuna, with a see at Mata Utu, a suffragan diocese of the Metropolitan Archdiocese of Nouméa (New Caledonia).[33] There are smaller numbers of people following ethnic religions (1.17%), the Baháʼí Faith (0.86%), and having irreligion (0.65%).[34]

## Culture

[edit]

Main article: Culture of Wallis and Futuna

The culture of Wallis and Futuna is Polynesian, and is similar to the cultures of its neighboring nations Samoa and Tonga. The Wallisian and Futunan cultures are very similar to each other in language, dance, cuisine and modes of celebration.

Fishing and agriculture are the traditional occupations, and most people live in traditional oval, thatch fale houses.[35] Kava is a popular beverage brewed in the two islands, as in much else of Polynesia. It also serves as a traditional offering in rituals.[35] Highly detailed tapa cloth art is a specialty of Wallis and Futuna.[36]

Uvea Museum Association is a private museum that holds a collection of objects that record the history of the Second World War in the territory.[37] It is located in Mata Utu shopping center and in 2009 was open by appointment.[38]

## Transport and communications

[edit]

In 2018, the territory had 3,132 telephones in use,[39] one AM radio station, and two television broadcast stations.[citation needed] Communication costs are up to ten times higher[citation needed] than in western countries. The island of Wallis has about 100 km (62 mi) of roadways, 16 of which are paved. The island of Futuna has only 20 km (12 mi) of roadways, none of which are paved. The territory has two main ports, in the harbors at Mata Utu and Leava (on the island of Futuna). These ports support its merchant marine fleet, which comprises three ships (two passenger ships and a petroleum tanker), totaling 92,060 GRT or 45,881 tonnes. There are two airports: Hihifo Airport, on Wallis, which has a 2.1 km (1.3 mi) paved runway; and Pointe Vele Airport, on Futuna, which has a 1 km (0.62 mi) runway.[40] Now the only commercial flights to and from Wallis are operated by Caledonia-based Aircalin, which has an office in Mata Utu. There are currently no commercial boat operators.

### Newspapers

[edit]

The French High Commission published a local newspaper in the 1970s, Nouvelles de Wallis et de Futuna.[41] Today, news is available online via a local program broadcast by the French television network La Première.[42]

## Education

[edit]

There are 18 primary schools in the territory, 12 on Wallis and six on Futuna, with a combined total of over 5200 students.[43]

The territory has six junior high schools and one senior high school/sixth-form college.[44]

* Junior high schools (collèges) in Wallis: Mataotama de Malae, Alofivai de Lano, Vaimoana de Lavegahau, and Tinemui de Teesi
* Junior high schools in Futuna: Fiua de Sigave and Sisia d'Ono
* The senior high school/sixth-form college is Lycée d'État de Wallis et Futuna on Wallis

There is also an agricultural high school.[43]

## Healthcare

[edit]

See also: COVID-19 pandemic in Wallis and Futuna

As of 2018, yaws was endemic in the area, but cases were not being reported to the WHO eradication program.[45]

Healthcare is available free of charge in two hospitals on Uvea and Futuna islands.[46] There are also three dispensaries.[47]

## Environment

[edit]

Deforestation is a major concern in the region as only small portions of the original forests remain due to the continued use of wood as the main source of fuel. Consequently, the mountainous terrain of Futuna has become prone to erosion. There are no permanent settlements on Alofi due to the lack of natural freshwater resources, and the presence of infertile soil on the islands of Uvea and Futuna further reduces agricultural productivity.[48]

## Sport

[edit]

Wallis and Futuna competes in the Pacific Games.[49] Volleyball and rugby union are popular in the territory,[50] with several rugby players going on to play for the France national rugby union team.[51]

## See also

[edit]

* Geography portal
* Islands portal
* Oceania portal

* Outline of Wallis and Futuna
* Administrative divisions of France
* French overseas departments and territories
* Islands controlled by France in the Indian and Pacific oceans
* Katoaga
* Vicariate Apostolic of Oriental Oceania
* Wallis and Futuna during the Second World War
* Statute of Wallis and Futuna (1961)
* Customary kingdoms of Wallis and Futuna
* Protectorate of Wallis and Futuna
* Customary Kings of Wallis and Futuna

## Notes

[edit]

1. ^ French: Wallis-et-Futuna [walis e futuna] or Territoire des îles Wallis-et-Futuna, Fakauvea and Fakafutuna: ʻUvea mo Futuna

## References

[edit]

1. ^ a b c "Wallis and Futuna: Islands, Districts & Major Villages - Population Statistics, Maps, Charts, Weather and Web Information".
2. ^ a b c INSEE, CEROM. "Évaluation du PIB de Wallis-et-Futuna en 2019" (in French). Retrieved 22 February 2025.
3. ^ Loi no 61-814 du 29 juillet 1961 conférant aux îles Wallis-et-Futuna le statut de territoire d'outre-mer (in French).
4. ^ "The European Union and Wallis and Futuna | EEAS". www.eeas.europa.eu. Retrieved 27 July 2025.
5. ^ a b "Wallis-et-Futuna". outre-mer.gouv.fr (in French). Retrieved 16 October 2020.
6. ^ a b Sand, Christophe (2006). "A View from the West: Samoa in the Culture History of 'Uvea (Wallis) and Futuna (Western Polynesia)". The Journal of Sāmoa Studies. 2: 5–15.
7. ^ "POP Culture: Wallis and Futuna". Guampedia. 16 December 2015. Retrieved 3 March 2017.
8. ^ Chisholm, Hugh, ed. (1911). "Wallis Archipelago" . Encyclopædia Britannica. Vol. 28 (11th ed.). Cambridge University Press. p. 285.
9. ^ "POP Cultures: Wallis and Futuna". www.guampedia.com. 16 December 2015. Retrieved 24 May 2021.
10. ^ "WALLIS ISLAND". Northern Advocate. 4 October 2017. p. 1. Retrieved 18 June 2022 - via National Library of Australia.
11. ^ Rottman, Gordon L. (2002). U.S. Marine Corps World War II Order of Battle: Ground and Air Units in the Pacific War, 1939-1945. London: Bloomsbury Academic. p. 213\. ISBN 9780313319068.
12. ^ "Wallis and Futuna Islands". InfoPlease. Retrieved 14 April 2018.
13. ^ BBC News (1 June 2007). "Been and gone – fit for a King". Retrieved 3 June 2007.
14. ^ "Elections territoriales pour plusieurs collectivités d'Outre-mer le 20 mars". Outre-mer la 1ère (in French). 5 January 2022. Retrieved 15 January 2022.
15. ^ "France appoints new prefect of Wallis and Futuna". Radio New Zealand. 20 December 2018. Retrieved 27 January 2019.
16. ^ Wallis and Futuna Rulers.org
17. ^ "Wetlands of Wallis and Futuna" (PDF). Secretariat of the Pacific Regional Environment Programme (SPREP) and Service de l’Environnement. 2017.
18. ^ Dinerstein, Eric; et al. (2017). "An Ecoregion-Based Approach to Protecting Half the Terrestrial Realm". BioScience. 67 (6): 534–545\. doi:10.1093/biosci/bix014. ISSN 0006-3568. PMC 5451287. PMID 28608869.
19. ^ "Mata-Utu, Wallis and Futuna". Weatherbase.
20. ^ "Climate of Hihifo 1991-2020" (PDF) (in French). Météo-France. Retrieved 25 August 2022.
21. ^ a b "Résultats du recensement de la population 2023 de Wallis-et-Futuna" (in French). Préfet des îles Wallis et Futuna. Retrieved 17 January 2024.
22. ^ a b INSEE. "Wallis et Futuna a perdu près du cinquième de sa population en dix ans" (in French). Retrieved 7 April 2019.
23. ^ "Population Structure of Communities". Nouméa: Institute of Statistics and Economic Studies (ISEE-NC). Archived from the original on 13 November 2019. Retrieved 29 October 2020.
24. ^ INSEE. "Wallis et Futuna - Recensement de la population". Retrieved 7 April 2019.
25. ^ "Recensement général de la population | Service Territorial de la Statistique et des Etudes Economiques" (in French). Retrieved 9 November 2024.
26. ^ a b c d STSEE. "Recensement 2018 - Tableau Pop_06_6 : Population selon le sexe, la langue la plus couramment parlée en famille, l'âge décennal et par village de résidence" (ODS) (in French). Retrieved 7 March 2023.
27. ^ a b c "Recensement 2008 - Tableau Pop_06_6 : Population selon le sexe, la langue la plus couramment parlée en famille, l'âge décennal et par village de résidence" (in French). Government of France. Archived from the original (XLS) on 4 June 2011. Retrieved 3 October 2009.
28. ^ STSEE. "Recensement 2018 - Tableau Pop_06_4 : Population selon le sexe, la connaissance d'une langue polynésienne et par unité administrative de résidence" (ODS) (in French). Retrieved 7 March 2023.
29. ^ "Recensement 2008 - Tableau Pop_06_4 : Population selon le sexe, la connaissance d'une langue polynésienne et par village de résidence" (in French). Government of France. Archived from the original (XLS) on 4 June 2011. Retrieved 3 October 2009.
30. ^ a b c STSEE. "Recensement 2018 - Tableau Pop_06_2 : Population selon le sexe, la connaissance du français et par unité administrative de résidence" (ODS) (in French). Retrieved 7 March 2023.
31. ^ a b c "Recensement 2008 - Tableau Pop_06_2 : Population selon le sexe, la connaissance du français et par village de résidence" (in French). Government of France. Archived from the original (XLS) on 4 June 2011. Retrieved 3 October 2009.
32. ^ "The World Factbook – Central Intelligence Agency". www.cia.gov. Retrieved 14 April 2018.
33. ^ "Diocese of Wallis et Futuna". GCatholic. Retrieved 24 June 2022.
34. ^ "Regional Profile Wallis and Futuna". theARDA. Retrieved 22 May 2025.
35. ^ a b Wallis & Futuna Business Law Handbook: Strategic Information and Laws. International Business Publications, USA. 1 January 2012. pp. 37–. ISBN 978-1-4387-7141-0. Retrieved 9 May 2013.
36. ^ Hinz, Earl R.; Howard, Jim (2006). Landfalls of Paradise: Cruising Guide to the Pacific Islands. University of Hawaii Press. pp. 220–. ISBN 978-0-8248-3037-3.
37. ^ Mayer, Raymond; Nau, Malino; Pambrun, Eric; Laurent, Christophe (2006). "Chanter la guerre à Wallis ('Uvea)". Journal de la Société des Océanistes (in French) (122–123): 153–171\. doi:10.4000/jso.614.122–123&rft.pages=153-171&rft.date=2006&rft_id=info:doi/10.4000/jso.614&rft.aulast=Mayer&rft.aufirst=Raymond&rft.au=Nau,+Malino&rft.au=Pambrun,+Eric&rft.au=Laurent,+Christophe&rft_id=https://journals.openedition.org/jso/614&rfr_id=info:sid/en.wikipedia.org:Wallis+and+Futuna" class="Z3988">
38. ^ Bernard Klein, La lettre d'Histoire-Géographie Archived 20 January 2024 at the Wayback Machine October–November 2009, No. 4
39. ^ "Wallis and Futuna". CIA World Factbook. Retrieved 24 June 2022.
40. ^ Dominik Maximilián Ramík (26 May 2009). "Futuna - přílet z Wallisu - Flying to Futuna Island (from Wallis)". Archived from the original on 11 December 2021. Retrieved 14 April 2018 - via YouTube.
41. ^ Dawrs, Stu. "Research Guides: Pacific Islands Newspapers : Wallis and Futuna". guides.library.manoa.hawaii.edu. Retrieved 16 September 2020.
42. ^ "Wallis-et-Futuna la 1ère : actualités et info en direct de Wallis-et-Futuna, replays TV et radio". Wallis-et-Futuna la 1ère (in French). Retrieved 16 September 2020.
43. ^ a b "LIVRET D'ACCUEIL Wallis et Futuna Archived 10 October 2017 at the Wayback Machine." Wallis and Futuna. p. 22 (22/28). Retrieved on 14 September 2016.
44. ^ "Cartographie des établissements du second degré." Wallis and Futuna. 24 June 2016. Retrieved on 14 September 2016.
45. ^ Fitzpatrick, Christopher; Asiedu, Kingsley; Solomon, Anthony W.; Mitja, Oriol; Marks, Michael; Van der Stuyft, Patrick; Meheus, Filip (4 December 2018). "Prioritizing surveillance activities for certification of yaws eradication based on a review and model of historical case reporting". PLOS Neglected Tropical Diseases. 12 (12): e0006953. doi:10.1371/journal.pntd.0006953. ISSN 1935-2727. PMC 6294396. PMID 30513075.
46. ^ "Wallis and Futuna - Economy". Encyclopedia Britannica.
47. ^ "Travel Tips for Wallis and Futuna (France), Updated Intl. Guide – Travel Medicine, Inc". www.travmed.com.
48. ^ "The World Factbook". Central Intelligence Agency. 15 February 2023.
49. ^ "SOL23: Wallis & Futuna's Chef De Mission leads the way, Australia sends 100 police officers". Islands Business. 9 November 2023. Retrieved 5 April 2024.
50. ^ Ryan, Aaron (28 December 2023). "More light needs to shine on Wallis and Futuna rugby players". Te Ao Māori News. Retrieved 5 April 2024.
51. ^ Smith, Tony. "Six Nations: How Wallis and Futuna players have boosted France's title hopes". Stuff. Retrieved 5 April 2024.

## External links

[edit]

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