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Wallis and Futuna:
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Other pages in this profile of Wallis and Futuna:
People, Government, Economy, Communications & Transportation, Military & Transnational Issues.
People, Government, Economy, Communications & Transportation, Military & Transnational Issues.
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Background |
Definition The Futuna island group was discovered by the Dutch in 1616 and Wallis by the British in 1767, but 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. |
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Location |
Definition Oceania, islands in the South Pacific Ocean, about two-thirds of the way from Hawaii to New Zealand |
Geographic coordinates |
Definition 13 18 S, 176 12 W |
Map references |
Definition Oceania |
Area |
Definition - World rank and map total: 274 sq km land: 274 sq km water: 0 sq km note: includes Ile Uvea (Wallis Island), Ile Futuna (Futuna Island), Ile Alofi, and 20 islets |
Area - comparative |
Definition 1.5 times the size of Washington, DC |
Land boundaries |
Definition 0 km |
Coastline |
Definition 129 km |
Maritime claims |
Definition territorial sea: 12 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm |
Climate |
Definition 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 |
Terrain |
Definition volcanic origin; low hills |
Elevation extremes |
Definition lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m highest point: Mont Singavi 765 m |
Natural resources |
Definition NEGL |
Land use |
Definition - World rank and map arable land: 7.14% permanent crops: 35.71% other: 57.15% (2005) |
Irrigated land |
Definition NA |
Natural hazards |
Definition NA |
Environment - current issues |
Definition 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 |
Geography - note |
Definition both island groups have fringing reefs |
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Copyright 2008 World Sites Atlas (sitesatlas.com) |