Wallis and Futuna are in the middle of the Pacific Ocean, about two thirds of the way between Hawaii and New Zealand, 22,000 km from Paris, 6,000 km from Australia and 2,500 km from New Caledonia.
The archipelago belongs to Polynesia, which also includes the Cook Islands, Easter Island, French Polynesia, Niue, the Pitcain Islands, Samoa, Tokelau, Tonga and Tuvalu.
Wallis and Futuna are French overseas territories. The archipelago consists of the main islands Wallis, Futuna and Alofi as well as 20 other small islands.
Wallis and Futuna are about 230 km apart. Alofi is a “day trip” distance from Futuna.
Name of the country | Territoire des Iles Wallis et Futuna |
Form of government | Overseas territory of France |
Geographical location | In the Pacific Ocean; Latitude: 13 ° 18 ‘South, Longitude: 176 ° 12’ West |
National anthem | French national anthem, Marseillaise |
Population | approx. 8,500 (Credit: Countryaah: Wallis and Futuna Facts) |
Ethnicities | 93% Polynesians and 7% Europeans |
Religions | 99% Catholics and 1% Others |
Languages | French and Wallisan, a Polynesian language |
Capital | Mata-Utu with about 1,100 residents |
Surface | around 140 km²,Wallis around 76 km², Futuna around 46 km² and Alofi around 18 km² |
Highest mountain | Mont Singavi, with an altitude of 765 m |
Largest lake | Kikila Lake, with an area of about 0.179 km² |
International license plate | F. |
Currency | Pacific Franc, Cour de Franc Pacifique |
Time difference to CET | +11 h |
Internet TLD (Top Level Domain) | .wf |
Wallis and Fotuna: history
Early history
Wallis and Futuna were documented by Lapita culture between 1500 BC. and 500 BC. populated. Pigs were brought to the islands with the Lapita people.
According to Abbreviationfinder website, the island of Futuna was later heavily influenced by Samoa, while the islands of Wallis around 1400 AD. were afflicted by the residents of Tonga Island. The arguments were pretty bloody. Tongan fortifications from this period have been found at the archaeological sites of Talietumu and Tonga Toto.
The Europeans are coming
The Dutch William Schouten and Jacques le Maire discovered the islands in 1616 and named them Hoorn, after Cap Horn. In 1767 the islands were renamed Wallis by the English navigator Samuel Wallis. He had discovered Tahiti shortly before.
Over the next few years, the islands became a popular stopover for whalers and traders.
Missionaries
The first missionary arrived in 1837. It was Pierre Chane, who a few years later was murdered by the warriors of King Niuluki. However, he was so successful with his missionary work that the island was soon completely Christianized. He was declared saint of the South Seas in 1954.
20th century until today
The islands were officially declared a French colony in 1924. During World War II, the Americans administered the islands. In 1959, the population decided on the status of an overseas territory of France.
Today the island is economically completely dependent on France. As on most islands in the Pacific, there are more Wallisians living abroad, in this case New Caledonia, than on their home island itself.
In 2002 one of the kings had the only newspaper on the islands discontinued because it obviously did not suit him.