Wallis and Futuna

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

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.^[16]

Wallis and Futuna is part of the Fiji tropical moist forests terrestrial ecoregion.^[17]

Wallis Island

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

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.

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),

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".^[22] This is almost double the total population of Wallis and Futuna.

Percentages of speakers of each language

Language most spoken at home in Wallis and Futuna[24]	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

According to the 2018 census, among people 14 years and older, 59.1% reported

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).[27]^[28]

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).^[29][30] 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).^[29][30] 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).^[29][30]

The overwhelming majority (99%) of the people in Wallis and Futuna are

The culture of Wallis and Futuna is

Fishing and agriculture are the traditional occupations, and most people live in traditional oval, thatch fale houses.[33] 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.^[33] Highly detailed tapa cloth art is a specialty of Wallis and Futuna.^[34]

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.^[35] It is located in Mata Utu shopping center and in 2009 was open by appointment.^[36]

In 2018, the territory had 3,132 telephones in use,

The French High Commission published a local newspaper in the 1970s, Nouvelles de Wallis et de Futuna.^[39] Today, news is available online via a local program broadcast by the French television network La Première.^[40]

There are 18 primary schools in the territory, 12 on Wallis and six on Futuna, with a combined total of over 5200 students.^[41]

The territory has six junior high schools and one senior high school/sixth-form college.^[42]

• 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.^[41]

As of 2018, yaws was endemic in the area, but cases were not being reported to the WHO eradication program.^[43]

Healthcare is available free of charge in two hospitals on Uvea and Futuna islands.^[44] There are also three dispensaries.^[45]

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.^[46]

Wallis and Futuna competes in the Pacific Games.^[47] Volleyball and rugby union are popular in the territory,^[48] with several rugby players going on to play for the France national rugby union team.^[49]

• 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

References

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 n^o 61-814 du 29 juillet 1961 conférant aux îles Wallis-et-Futuna le statut de territoire d'outre-mer (in French).
4. ^ ^{a b} "Wallis-et-Futuna". outre-mer.gouv.fr (in French). Retrieved 16 October 2020.
5. ^ ^{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.
6. ^ "POP Culture: Wallis and Futuna". Guampedia. 16 December 2015. Retrieved 3 March 2017.
7. ^ Chisholm, Hugh, ed. (1911). "Wallis Archipelago" . Encyclopædia Britannica. Vol. 28 (11th ed.). Cambridge University Press. p. 285.
8. ^ "POP Cultures: Wallis and Futuna". www.guampedia.com. 16 December 2015. Retrieved 24 May 2021.
9. ^ "WALLIS ISLAND". Northern Advocate. 4 October 2017. p. 1. Retrieved 18 June 2022 – via National Library of Australia.
10. ISBN 9780313319068
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11. ^ "Wallis and Futuna Islands". InfoPlease. Retrieved 14 April 2018.
12. ^ BBC News (1 June 2007). "Been and gone – fit for a King". Retrieved 3 June 2007.
13. ^ "Elections territoriales pour plusieurs collectivités d'Outre-mer le 20 mars". Outre-mer la 1ère (in French). 5 January 2022. Retrieved 15 January 2022.
14. ^ "France appoints new prefect of Wallis and Futuna". Radio New Zealand. 20 December 2018. Retrieved 27 January 2019.
15. ^ Wallis and Futuna Rulers.org
16. ^ "Wetlands of Wallis and Futuna" (PDF). Secretariat of the Pacific Regional Environment Programme (SPREP) and Service de l’Environnement. 2017.
17. PMID 28608869
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18. ^ "Mata-Utu, Wallis and Futuna". Weatherbase.
19. ^ "Climate of Hihifo 1991-2020" (PDF) (in French). Météo-France. Retrieved 25 August 2022.
20. ^ ^{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.
21. ^ ^{a b} INSEE. "Wallis et Futuna a perdu près du cinquième de sa population en dix ans" (in French). Retrieved 7 April 2019.
22. ^ "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.
23. ^ INSEE. "Wallis et Futuna - Recensement de la population". Retrieved 7 April 2019.
24. ^ "Recensement général de la population | Service Territorial de la Statistique et des Etudes Economiques" (in French). Retrieved 9 November 2024.
25. ^ ^{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.
26. ^ ^{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.
27. ^ 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.
28. ^ "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.
29. ^ ^{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.
30. ^ ^{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.
31. ^ "The World Factbook – Central Intelligence Agency". www.cia.gov. Retrieved 14 April 2018.
32. ^ "Diocese of Wallis et Futuna". GCatholic. Retrieved 24 June 2022.
33. ^
    ISBN 978-1-4387-7141-0
    . Retrieved 9 May 2013.
34. ISBN 978-0-8248-3037-3
    .
35. doi:10.4000/jso.614
    .
36. ^ Bernard Klein, La lettre d'Histoire-Géographie October–November 2009, No. 4
37. ^ "Wallis and Futuna". CIA World Factbook. Retrieved 24 June 2022.
38. ^ 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.
39. ^ Dawrs, Stu. "Research Guides: Pacific Islands Newspapers : Wallis and Futuna". guides.library.manoa.hawaii.edu. Retrieved 16 September 2020.
40. ^ "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.
41. ^ ^{a b} "LIVRET D'ACCUEIL Wallis et Futuna." Wallis and Futuna. p. 22 (22/28). Retrieved on 14 September 2016.
42. ^ "Cartographie des établissements du second degré." Wallis and Futuna. 24 June 2016. Retrieved on 14 September 2016.
43. PMID 30513075
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44. ^ "Wallis and Futuna - Economy". Encyclopedia Britannica.
45. ^ "Travel Tips for Wallis and Futuna (France), Updated Intl. Guide – Travel Medicine, Inc". www.travmed.com.
46. ^ "The World Factbook". Central Intelligence Agency. 15 February 2023.
47. ^ "SOL23: Wallis & Futuna's Chef De Mission leads the way, Australia sends 100 police officers". Islands Business. 9 November 2023. Retrieved 5 April 2024.
48. ^ Ryan, Aaron (28 December 2023). "More light needs to shine on Wallis and Futuna rugby players". Te Ao Māori News. Retrieved 5 April 2024.
49. ^ Smith, Tony. "Six Nations: How Wallis and Futuna players have boosted France's title hopes". Stuff. Retrieved 5 April 2024.

External links

Look up Wallis and Futuna in Wiktionary, the free dictionary.

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Wallis and Futuna.

Wikivoyage has a travel guide for Wallis and Futuna.

• Wikimedia Atlas of Wallis and Futuna
• Official website of the French Administrateur supérieur de Wallis-et-Futuna (in French)
• Wallis-et-Futuna La 1ère – Online news
• GigaCatholic
• Map of Wallis and Futuna, with district boundaries
• Information about Wallis and Futuna (in French)