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(opens in new window) Although discovered by the Dutch and the
British in the 17th and 18th centuries, 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. Oceania, islands in the South Pacific
Ocean, about two-thirds of the way from Hawaii to New Zealand 13 18 S, 176 12 W total: 274 sq
km 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 volcanic origin; low hills lowest point:
Pacific Ocean 0 m arable land:
5% 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 both island groups have fringing reefs
15,880 (July 2004 est.) noun:
Wallisian(s), Futunan(s), or Wallis and Futuna Islanders Polynesian Roman Catholic 99%, other 1% French, Wallisian (indigenous Polynesian
language) overseas territory of France Mata-Utu (on Ile Uvea) 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
Bastille Day, 14 July (1789) 28 September 1958 (French Constitution)
French legal system The economy is limited to traditional
subsistence agriculture, with about 80% 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. agriculture, livestock, and fishing 80%,
government 4% (2001 est.) breadfruit, yams, taro, bananas; pigs,
goats copra, handicrafts, fishing, lumber
copra, chemicals, construction materials
Italy 40%, Croatia 15%, US 14%, Denmark
13% chemicals, machinery, passenger ships,
consumer goods France 97%, Australia 2%, New Zealand 1%
Comptoirs Francais du Pacifique franc (XPF)
1,900 (2002) 0 (1994) general assessment:
NA total: 120 km
(Ile Uvea 100 km, Ile Futuna 20 km) Leava, Mata-Utu total: 6
ships (1,000 GRT or over) 134,037 GRT/14,271 DWT 2 (2003 est.) total: 1 total: 1 |
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