Wallis and Futuna
Geography - People - Economy - Government - Communications - Transportation - Military - Transnational IssuesCountry name - conventional long form : Territory of the Wallis and Futuna Islands
Country name - conventional short form : Wallis and Futuna
Country name - local long form : Territoire des Iles Wallis et Futuna
Country name - local short form : Wallis et Futuna
Government type : NA
Capital - name : Mata-Utu (on Ile Uvea)
Capital - time difference : UTC+12 (17 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time)
National holiday : Bastille Day, 14 July (1789)
Population : 15,237 (July 2008 est.)
Nationality - noun : Wallisian(s), Futunan(s), or Wallis and Futuna Islanders
Nationality - adjective : Wallisian, Futunan, or Wallis and Futuna Islander
Languages : Wallisian 58.9% (indigenous Polynesian language), Futunian 30.1%, French 10.8%, other 0.2% (2003 census)
Currency (code) : Comptoirs Francais du Pacifique franc (XPF)
Currency code : XPF
Wallis and Futuna is located Oceania, islands in the South Pacific Ocean, about two-thirds of the way from Hawaii to New Zealand. The climate is 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. The terrain is volcanic origin; low hills.
Background
This entry usually highlights major historic events and current issues and may include a statement about one or two key future trends.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. In 1959, the inhabitants of the islands voted to become a French overseas territory.
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