Information About Wallis and Futuna Islands

History of Wallis and Futuna Islands

The group of islands of Futuna and Wallis were discovered by the Dutch and British in 1616 and 1767 respectively. After the Tongan empire expanded into the regions of Futuna and Wallis, the Polynesians occupied it and started building forts and ruins within the area. The French missionaries had occupied the land and converted the inhabitants into the Romanian Catholics before the arrival of the Dutch and the British, where the French declared the islands as their protectorate under the French colony of New Caledonia and administered the islands from 1886 to 1888. The United States Marine Corps who arrived in the Wallis Island in 1942 ended the Vichy regime of the Futuna and Wallis islands that were under the French colony after they supported the Vichy regime during the World War II. The dominating population of the islands declared to be under the French overseas territory in 1959 and they were granted their demand in 1961.

Geography of Wallis and Futuna Islands

The islands of Wallis and Futuna are located between the Hawaii and the New Zealand. The main islands within the territories are the uvea, Futuna and Alofi although there are other 20 uninhabited islets within the territory. The territory covers a total area of 142 kilometers where none of the lands within the territory are covered by water. The territory has a coastline of 129 kilometers where most of its terrain is made of low lying hills which are of volcanic origin. The Pacific Ocean at zero meters below the sea level forms the lowest point while the mount singavi located at the Futuna Island at 765 meters above the sea level is the most elevated region within the territory.

Climate of Wallis and Futuna Islands

The sea tropical climates are experienced in the highlands which range from warm to hot with average temperature of 28oc although they sometimes go higher but rarely get beyond 35oc during the summers. The late afternoons and the early morning periods within the islands, there are cooling breezes which are brought over the land by the east south-eastern trade winds. The warmest months of the summer seasons are marked with the tropical rains which run from December to the end of February. The southern hemisphere in which the islands are located, have their cool summer periods from November to February while the cooler winter from April to September although the difference in the temperature between the two seasons are significantly little. There is a probability from January and March to have typhoons in the territory although their effect is minimal since its routes are far in the south.

Natural Resources in Wallis and Futuna Islands

The natural resources found within the islands of the Wallis and Futuna are totally negligible although the forested areas are the sources of timber and firewood used as the source of energy by the people within the territory.

Tourist Attraction in Wallis and Futuna Islands

The Pleistocene volcanic island of Wallis has been dominated by beautiful volcanic cones and crater lakes while the mountainous islands of Futuna and Alofi creates an interesting scene due to the presence of the lush tropical forests covering the mountains. There is an impressive church building of Basilica of st. Peter which was constructed for remembrance of the martyr pirre channel in 1841, the rounded lake of lalolalo which is inaccessible due to its steep tall walls surrounding it, the marsh region within the Le Toagatoto which is believed to be the ancient battle point of the Tongan army and the Wallis people and the cave of loka where the st. Bernadette shrine has been constructed, are among the major landmarks visited by numerous tourists within the territory. The areas of Talietumu where the fortified Tongan settlement were established and a massive stone wall surrounds the area with many entrances and the neo Romanesque architecture style used to build the church of Mata-utu cathedral are also great areas within the territory of Wallis and Futuna islands. The major cities and villages located within this territory include:

• Ahoa
• Mata utu
• Falaleu
• Haafusia
• Utuloa
• Fakautia
• Fineveke
• Halamatai

Famous Hotels in Wallis and Futuna Islands

There are small hotels and restaurants within the town of Mata utu but accommodation in this territory is scarce. The small hotels available include:

• Hotel albatross
• Hotel lomipeau
• Somalama hotel

Wallis and Futuna Islands Culture and Cuisine

Wallis and Futuna share the same Polynesian culture with its neighboring countries. The Wallisian and Futunan are the major languages spoken by the islander and the Roman Catholic is the dominating religion. The vegetable colors used to paint the tapas made from the bark of trees are the popular form of art in the region with the Polynesian music performed during various festivals. Chicken and pork along with fruits such as mangoes and the wild cheery are famous dishes in the region. Fishing and the agricultural products produced are consumed within the territory.

International Airports in Wallis and Futuna Islands

• Hihifo airport
• Pointe vele airport