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Australia-Oceania :: Wallis and Futuna (overseas collectivity of France)

- ## Introduction :: WALLIS AND FUTUNA

- Background:
  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, and took official control of them between 1886 and 1888. Notably, Wallis and Futuna was the only French colony to side with the Vichy regime during World War II, a phase that ended in May of 1942 with the arrival of 2,000 American troops. In 1959, the inhabitants of the islands voted to become a French overseas territory and officially assumed this status in July 1961.

- ## Geography :: WALLIS AND FUTUNA

- Location:
  Oceania, islands in the South Pacific Ocean, about two-thirds of the way from Hawaii to New Zealand
  Geographic coordinates:
  13 18 S, 176 12 W
  Map references:
  Oceania
  Area:
  total: 142 sq km
  land: 142 sq km
  water: 0 sq km
  note: includes Ile Uvea (Wallis Island), Ile Futuna (Futuna Island), Ile Alofi, and 20 islets
  country comparison to the world: 221
  Area - comparative:
  1.5 times the size of Washington, DC
  Land boundaries:
  0 km
  Coastline:
  129 km
  Maritime claims:
  territorial sea: 12 nm
  exclusive economic zone: 200 nm
  Climate:
  tropical; hot, rainy season (November to April); cool, dry season (May to October); rains 250-300 cm per year (80% humidity); average temperature 26.6 degrees Celsius
  Terrain:
  volcanic origin; low hills
  Elevation extremes:
  lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m
  highest point: Mont Singavi (on Futuna) 765 m
  Natural resources:
  NEGL
  Land use:
  agricultural land: 42.8%
  arable land 7.1%; permanent crops 35.7%; permanent pasture 0%
  forest: 41.9%
  other: 15.3% (2011 est.)
  Irrigated land:
  NA
  Natural hazards:
  NA
  Environment - current issues:
  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 freshwater resources
  Geography - note:
  both island groups have fringing reefs

- ## People and Society :: WALLIS AND FUTUNA

- Nationality:
  noun: Wallisian(s), Futunan(s), or Wallis and Futuna Islanders
  adjective: Wallisian, Futunan, or Wallis and Futuna Islander
  Ethnic groups:
  Polynesian
  Languages:
  Wallisian (indigenous Polynesian language) 58.9%, Futunian 30.1%, French (official) 10.8%, other 0.2% (2003 census)
  Religions:
  Roman Catholic 99%, other 1%
  Population:
  15,613 (July 2015 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 222
  Age structure:
  0-14 years: 22.71% (male 1,850/female 1,695)
  15-24 years: 17.41% (male 1,426/female 1,292)
  25-54 years: 41.11% (male 3,210/female 3,208)
  55-64 years: 9.45% (male 731/female 744)
  65 years and over: 9.33% (male 697/female 760) (2015 est.)
  population pyramid:
  Median age:
  total: 30.9 years
  male: 30 years
  female: 32.2 years (2015 est.)
  Population growth rate:
  0.33% (2015 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 171
  Birth rate:
  13.45 births/1,000 population (2015 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 149
  Death rate:
  5.06 deaths/1,000 population (2015 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 187
  Net migration rate:
  -5.06 migrant(s)/1,000 population
  note: there has been steady emigration from Wallis and Futuna to New Caledonia (2015 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 193
  Urbanization:
  urban population: 0% of total population (2015)
  rate of urbanization: 0% annual rate of change (2005-10 est.)
  Major urban areas - population:
  MATA-UTU (capital) 1,000 (2014)
  Sex ratio:
  at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female
  0-14 years: 1.09 male(s)/female
  15-24 years: 1.1 male(s)/female
  25-54 years: 1 male(s)/female
  55-64 years: 0.98 male(s)/female
  65 years and over: 0.92 male(s)/female
  total population: 1.03 male(s)/female (2015 est.)
  Infant mortality rate:
  total: 4.43 deaths/1,000 live births
  male: 4.66 deaths/1,000 live births
  female: 4.18 deaths/1,000 live births (2015 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 186
  Life expectancy at birth:
  total population: 79.57 years
  male: 76.58 years
  female: 82.7 years (2015 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 44
  Total fertility rate:
  1.75 children born/woman (2015 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 165
  Sanitation facility access:
  improved:
  rural: 96% of population
  total: 96% of population
  unimproved:
  rural: 4% of population
  total: 4% of population (2008 est.)
  HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:
  NA
  HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:
  NA
  HIV/AIDS - deaths:
  NA

- ## Government :: WALLIS AND FUTUNA

- Country name:
  conventional long form: Territory of the Wallis and Futuna Islands
  conventional short form: Wallis and Futuna
  local long form: Territoire des Iles Wallis et Futuna
  local short form: Wallis et Futuna
  Dependency status:
  overseas territory of France
  Government type:
  parliamentary representive democratic French overseas collectivity
  Capital:
  name: Mata-Utu (on Ile Uvea)
  geographic coordinates: 13 57 S, 171 56 W
  time difference: UTC+12 (17 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time)
  Administrative divisions:
  3 administrative precincts (circonscriptions, singular - circonscription) Alo, Sigave, Uvea
  Independence:
  none (overseas territory of France)
  National holiday:
  Bastille Day, 14 July (1789)
  Constitution:
  4 October 1958 (French Constitution)
  Legal system:
  French civil law
  Citizenship:
  see France
  Suffrage:
  18 years of age; universal
  Executive branch:
  chief of state: President Francois HOLLANDE (since 15 May 2012); represented by High Administrator Marcel RENOUF (since 26 January 2015)
  head of government: President of the Territorial Assembly Mikaele KULIMOETOKE (since 26 November 2014)
  cabinet: Council of the Territory appointed by the high administrator on the advice of the Territorial Assembly
  elections/appointments: French president elected by absolute majority popular vote in 2 rounds if needed for a 5-year term (eligible for a second term); high administrator appointed by the French president on the advice of the French Ministry of the Interior; the presidents of the Territorial Government and the Territorial Assembly elected by assembly members
  note: there are 3 traditional kings with limited powers
  Legislative branch:
  description: unicameral Territorial Assembly or Assemblee Territoriale (20 seats; members directly elected in multi-seat constituencies by proportional representation to serve 5-year terms)
  note: Wallis and Futuna elects one senator to the French Senate and one deputy to the French National Assembly; French Senate - elections last held on 28 September 2014 (next to be held by September 2017); results - percent of vote by party - NA; seats - UMP 1; French National Assembly - by-election last held on 24 March 2013 (next to be held by 2017); results - percent of vote by party - NA; seats - independent (backed by UMP) 1
  elections: last held on 22 March 2012 (next to be held in March 2017)
  election results: percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - PS 4, UMP 4, centrist, 3, other 9
  Judicial branch:
  highest court(s): Court of Appeal or Cour d'Appel, located in Noumea, New Caledonia
  judge selection and term of office: NA
  subordinate courts: note - justice generally administered under French law by the high administrator, but the 3 traditional kings administer customary law, and there is a magistrate in Mata-Utu
  Political parties and leaders:
  Lua Kae Tahi (Giscardians)
  Mouvement des Radicaux de Gauche or MRG
  Rally for the Republic or RPR (UMP) [Clovis LOGOLOGOFOLAU]
  Socialist Party or PS
  Taumu'a Lelei [Soane Muni UHILA]
  Union Populaire Locale or UPL [Falakiko GATA]
  Union Pour la Democratie Francaise or UDF
  Political pressure groups and leaders:
  NA
  International organization participation:
  PIF (observer), SPC, UPU
  Diplomatic representation in the US:
  none (overseas territory of France)
  Diplomatic representation from the US:
  none (overseas territory of France)
  Flag description:
  unofficial, local flag has a red field with four white isosceles triangles in the middle, representing the three native kings of the islands and the French administrator; the apexes of the triangles are oriented inward and at right angles to each other; the flag of France, outlined in white on two sides, is in the upper hoist quadrant
  note: the design is derived from an original red banner with a white cross pattee that was introduced in the 19th century by French missionaries; the flag of France is used for official occasions
  National symbol(s):
  red saltire (Saint Andrew's Cross) on a white square on a red field; national colors: red, white
  National anthem:
  note: as a territory of France, "La Marseillaise" is official (see France)

- ## Economy :: WALLIS AND FUTUNA

- Economy - overview:
  The economy is limited to traditional subsistence agriculture, with 80% of labor force earnings coming from agriculture (coconuts and vegetables), livestock (mostly pigs), and fishing. 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. France directly finances the public sector, health and education services. It also provides funding for key development projects in a range of areas, including infrastructure, economic development, environmental management, and health facilities. 70% of employment is in the public sector, although only about 20% of the population is in salaried employment. A key concern for Wallis and Futuna is an aging population with consequent economic development issues. Very few people aged 18-30 live in the islands due to the limited formal employment opportunities. Improving job creation is a current priority for the territorial government.
  GDP (purchasing power parity):
  $60 million (2004 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 225
  GDP (official exchange rate):
  $NA
  GDP - real growth rate:
  NA%
  GDP - per capita (PPP):
  $3,800 (2004 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 179
  GDP - composition, by sector of origin:
  agriculture: NA%
  industry: NA%
  services: NA%
  Agriculture - products:
  coconuts, breadfruit, yams, taro, bananas; pigs, goats; fish
  Industries:
  copra, handicrafts, fishing, lumber
  Industrial production growth rate:
  NA%
  Labor force:
  3,104 (2003)
  country comparison to the world: 225
  Labor force - by occupation:
  agriculture: 80%
  industry: 4%
  services: 16% (2001 est.)
  Unemployment rate:
  12.2% (2008 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 132
  Population below poverty line:
  NA%
  Household income or consumption by percentage share:
  lowest 10%: NA%
  highest 10%: NA%
  Budget:
  revenues: $29,730
  expenditures: $31,330 (2004 est.)
  Taxes and other revenues:
  NA%
  Budget surplus (+) or deficit (-):
  NA%
  Public debt:
  5.6% of GDP (2004 est.)
  note: offical data; data cover general government debt, and includes debt instruments issued (or owned) by government entities other than the treasury; the data include treasury debt held by foreign entities; the data include debt issued by subnational entities, as well as intra-governmental debt; intra-governmental debt consists of treasury borrowings from surpluses in the social funds, such as for retirement, medical care, and unemployment; debt instruments for the social funds are not sold at public auctions
  country comparison to the world: 171
  Fiscal year:
  calendar year
  Inflation rate (consumer prices):
  2.8% (2005)
  country comparison to the world: 122
  Exports:
  $47,450 (2004)
  country comparison to the world: 221
  Exports - commodities:
  copra, chemicals, construction materials
  Imports:
  $61.17 million (2004)
  country comparison to the world: 219
  Imports - commodities:
  chemicals, machinery, consumer goods
  Debt - external:
  $3.67 million (2004)
  country comparison to the world: 202
  Exchange rates:
  Comptoirs Francais du Pacifique francs (XPF) per US dollar -
  89.85 (2013 est.)
  90.56 (February 2012)
  85.74 (2011 est.)
  90.01 (2010 est.)

- ## Communications :: WALLIS AND FUTUNA

- Telephone system:
  international: country code - 681
  Broadcast media:
  the publicly owned French Overseas Network (RFO), which broadcasts to France's overseas departments and territories, is carried on the RFO Wallis and Fortuna TV and radio stations (2008)
  Radio broadcast stations:
  AM 1, FM 0, shortwave 0 (2000)
  Television broadcast stations:
  2 (2000)
  Internet country code:
  .wf
  Internet users:
  total: 1,300
  percent of population: 8.5% (2009)
  country comparison to the world: 211

- ## Transportation :: WALLIS AND FUTUNA

- Airports:
  2 (2013)
  country comparison to the world: 208
  Airports - with paved runways:
  total: 2
  1,524 to 2,437 m: 1
  914 to 1,523 m: 1 (2013)
  Ports and terminals:
  major seaport(s): Leava, Mata-Utu

- ## Military :: WALLIS AND FUTUNA

- Manpower fit for military service:
  males age 16-49: 3,376
  females age 16-49: 3,314 (2010 est.)
  Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually:
  male: 168
  female: 139 (2010 est.)
  Military - note:
  defense is the responsibility of France

- ## Transnational Issues :: WALLIS AND FUTUNA

- Disputes - international:
  none

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