Mata Utu
Mata Utu
Matāʻutu | ||
---|---|---|
Top: Mata Utu coastline; Middle: Uvea Royal Palace, Capital of Wallis and Futuna | | |
Population (2018)[1] | ||
• Total | 1,029 |
Mata Utu (French pronunciation:
The most prominent landmarks in the town are the
History
In medieval times, Tuʻi Tonga invaders waged war against the islanders and took control. They installed the first chiefs, and called them the Uveas, which became the ruling dynasty of the two islands; they are based at Mata-Utu to this day. During recent archaeological excavations of the area, fortifications built by the Tongans (circa the Middle Ages) were unearthed, at nearby Talierumu and Malama Tagata.
In the 19th century, Mata-Utu was developed into a town from a small village, by the French (who installed most of Wallis & Futuna's major facilities). Historically, pigs, poultry, yams, bananas, and coconut were available to arriving boats.
Geography
Mata-Utu is the largest urban centre on
Climate
Climate data for MATA-UTU, WALLIS AND FUTUNA | |||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
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[12] |
Cityscape
Downtown Mata-Utu is dominated by the
There is also a platform known locally as Fale Fono on the opposite side of the wharf which was used by the chief of the local tribes to address people. The hill known as the Mt. Lulu Fakahega, which rises to a height of 145 m, forms the backdrop of the village. It has an old chapel at the top. This site is accessed by a short and narrow road and the view from the top of the hill is particularly scenic.[3]
The town contains the rugby stadium
Economy
The economy of the island is dependent on its chief produce of copra, cassava, yams, taro roots, and bananas. Livestock consists of 25,000 pigs and 7,000 goats. The unit of currency is the CFP franc. The balance of imports is not favorable to the islands as imports exceed exports.[2]
Services
The magistrate's court of Wallis and Futuna is located in Mata-Utu.[14] Radio Wallis et Futuna is broadcast from Mata-Utu.[15] A short distance out of town are the police station and shopping mall. There is also a branch of the Indosuez Bank in Mata-Utu, and a thermal power station.[2] The Uvéa Shop sells cassettes of the music of the Wallisian singer and composer Palisio Tuauli of the band Talamohe.[16] The town lacks a tourist information center.[13]
A cargo shipping service connects to Mata’Utu on Wallis and Leava on Futuna with Nouméa. As of 1995, there were eight cargo vessels with a total capacity of 146128 DWT.[2] The Hihifo Airport serves Mata’Utu and Wallis Island is 6 km (4 mi) northwest of the town.
Culture
The cultural identity of the Wallis's islanders is Wallisian, an offshoot of Polynesian culture. The language spoken in the town and on the island is 'Uvean, a derivative of Western Polynesian with close affinity to Tongan. In Wallis island, Wallisians use 'Uvean as their everyday language, while French is the language of the administration.
Near Mata-Utu are two important archaeological sites, Talietumu[18] and Tonga Toto.[19]
Uvea Museum Association, in the shopping centre, is a military history museum that records the Second World War history of the territory.[20]
References
- ^ a b "Census2018". Statistics Wallis and Futuna. Retrieved 2020-03-21.
- ^ ISBN 978-90-411-0513-4. Retrieved 6 May 2013.
- ^ ISBN 978-1-56691-411-6. Retrieved 6 May 2013.
- ^ United States. Hydrographic Office (1916). Publications (Public domain ed.). Government Printing Office. pp. 395–. Retrieved 5 May 2013.
- ^ ISBN 978-1-4357-5810-0.
- ^ ISBN 978-1-74104-786-8. Retrieved 6 May 2013.
- ^ a b Google (5 May 2013). "Mata Utu" (Map). Google Maps. Google. Retrieved 5 May 2013.
- ISBN 978-0-7494-4063-3.
- ISBN 978-1-4081-1401-8.
- ^ a b Sailing directions for the Pacific Islands, volume III: the south-central groups. United States Defense Mapping Agency, Hydrographic Center. 1976. p. 173.
- ^ United States. Hydrographic Office (1940). Publications. p. 358.
- ^ "Mata-Utu, Wallis and Futuna". Weatherbase.
- ^ ISBN 978-1-74104-786-8.
- ISBN 978-1-59797-541-4.
- ISBN 9781857432275. Retrieved 5 May 2013.
- ISBN 978-1-56691-172-6.
- ISBN 978-0-595-86325-9.
- ^ "Talietumu". Alluring World. 16 February 2016. Retrieved 16 April 2022.
- ^ "Wallis & Futuna Islands". Triton Cape. Retrieved 16 April 2022.
- doi:10.4000/jso.614.