Wallis and Futuna

File:Wallis island picture by Samuel Wallis, ca 1767.jpg in 1767]]

File:Coastal view of Wallis Island by Cook (1773).jpg in 1773]]

File:Talietumu.jpg]]

The earliest signs of human habitation on these islands are artifacts characteristic of the Lapita culture, dating roughly to between 850 and 800 BCE. The islands served as natural stopover points for boat traffic, mostly between Fiji and Samoa. During Tongan invasions in the 15th and 16th centuries, the islands defended themselves with varying levels of resistance, but also accepted varying degrees of assimilation. Futuna retained more of its pre-Tongan cultural features, while Wallis underwent greater fundamental changes in its society, language, and culture.{{Cite journal |last=Sand |first=Christophe |year=2006 |title=A View from the West: Samoa in the Culture History of 'Uvea (Wallis) and Futuna (Western Polynesia) |journal=The Journal of Sāmoa Studies |volume=2 |pages=5–15}} The original inhabitants built forts and other identifiable structures on the islands (many of which are in ruins), some of which are still partially intact. Oral history and archaeological evidence suggests that the Tongan invaders re-occupied and modified some of these structures. The oral history also preserves a cultural memory of relationships between Samoa and Futuna that are so longstanding, they are described in the islanders' origin stories.

Futuna was first put on European maps by Willem Schouten and Jacob Le Maire, during their circumnavigation of the globe, in 1616. They named the islands of Futuna "Hoornse Eylanden", after the Dutch town of Hoorn where they hailed from. This was later translated into French, as "Isles de Horne". The Wallis Islands are named after the British explorer Samuel Wallis, who sailed past them in 1767, after being the first European to visit Tahiti.{{Cite web |url=http://www.guampedia.com/pop-cultures-wallis-and-futuna/ |title=POP Culture: Wallis and Futuna |website=Guampedia|date=16 December 2015 |access-date=2017-03-03}}{{Cite EB1911|wstitle=Wallis Archipelago|volume=28|page=285}} The French were the first Europeans to settle in the territory,{{Cite web |title= POP Cultures: Wallis and Futuna |url=https://www.guampedia.com/pop-cultures-wallis-and-futuna/|access-date=2021-05-24 |website=www.guampedia.com|date=16 December 2015 }} with the arrival of French missionaries in 1837, who converted the population to Roman Catholicism. Pierre Chanel, canonized in 1954, is a major patron saint of the island of Futuna and of the region.

On 5 April 1842, the missionaries asked for the protection of France, after the uprising of part of the local population. On 5 April 1887, the queen of Uvea (of the traditional chiefdom of Wallis) signed a treaty, officially establishing a French protectorate. The kings of Sigave and Alo (on the islands of Futuna and Alofi) also signed a treaty establishing a French protectorate, on 16 February 1888. From that moment, the islands were officially under the authority of the French colony of New Caledonia.

In 1917, the three traditional kingdoms of Uvea, Sigave, and Alo were annexed by France, integrated into the colony of Wallis and Futuna, and remained under the authority of the colony of New Caledonia.{{cite news |url=https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/NA19171004.2.5 |title=WALLIS ISLAND. |work=Northern Advocate |page=1 |date=4 October 2017 |access-date=18 June 2022 |via=National Library of Australia}}

{{Main|Wallis and Futuna during the Second World War}}

{{Campaignbox Vichy France Military in World War II}}

During World War II, the islands' administration was briefly pro-Vichy, until a Free French corvette from New Caledonia deposed the regime, on 26 May 1942. Units of the US Marine Corps later landed on Wallis, on 29 May 1942.{{cite book |last=Rottman |first=Gordon L. |year=2002 |title=U.S. Marine Corps World War II Order of Battle: Ground and Air Units in the Pacific War, 1939-1945 |page=213 |publisher=Bloomsbury Academic |location=London |isbn=9780313319068}}

In 1959, the inhabitants of the islands voted to become a separate French overseas territory, effective since 29 July 1961, thus ending their subordination to New Caledonia.{{cite web |url=http://www.infoplease.com/ipa/A0107555.html |title=Wallis and Futuna Islands |website=InfoPlease|access-date=14 April 2018}}

In 2005, the 50th king of Uvea, Tomasi Kulimoetoke II, faced being deposed after giving sanctuary to his grandson who was convicted of manslaughter. The king claimed his grandson should be judged by tribal law rather than by the French penal system. As a result, there were riots in the streets involving the king's supporters, who were victorious over attempts to replace the king. Two years later, Tomasi Kulimoetoke died on 7 May 2007. There was a six-month period of mourning, during which mentioning a successor was forbidden.{{cite news |author=BBC News | author-link=BBC News |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/magazine/6711691.stm |title=Been and gone – fit for a King | access-date=3 June 2007 |date=1 June 2007}} On 25 July 2008, Kapeliele Faupala was installed as king despite protests from some of the royal clans. He was deposed in 2014. A new king, Patalione Kanimoa, was eventually installed in Uvea in 2016; Lino Leleivai in Alo on Futuna succeeded after Filipo Katoa abdicated, and Eufenio Takala succeeded Polikalepo Kolivai in Sigave. The French president at the time, François Hollande, attended the installation ceremony.

{{Main|Politics of Wallis and Futuna}}

The territory is divided into three traditional kingdoms (royaumes coutumiers): Uvea, on the island of Wallis, Sigave, on the western part of the island of Futuna, and Alo, on the eastern part of the island of Futuna and on the uninhabited island of Alofi (only Uvea is further subdivided, into three districts):

The capital of the collectivity is Mata Utu on the island of Uvéa, the most populous of the Wallis Islands. As an overseas collectivity of France, it is governed under the French constitution of 28 September 1958, and has universal suffrage for those over 18 years of age. The French president is elected by popular vote for a five-year term; the high administrator is appointed by the French president on the advice of the French Ministry of the Interior and heads the Territory Government; the president of the Territorial Assembly is elected by the members of the assembly. The most recent election was held on 20 March 2022.{{Cite web|title=Elections territoriales pour plusieurs collectivités d'Outre-mer le 20 mars|url=https://la1ere.francetvinfo.fr/elections-territoriales-pour-plusieurs-collectivites-d-outre-mer-le-20-mars-1196617.html|access-date=2022-01-15|website=Outre-mer la 1ère|date=5 January 2022 |language=fr-FR}}

As of 2023, the head of state is President Emmanuel Macron of France, as represented by Administrator-Superior Hervé Jonathan.{{cite web |title=France appoints new prefect of Wallis and Futuna |url=https://www.radionz.co.nz/international/pacific-news/378725/france-appoints-new-prefect-of-wallis-and-futuna |website=Radio New Zealand |date=20 December 2018 |access-date=27 January 2019}} The president of the Territorial Assembly has been Munipoese Muliʻakaʻaka since March 2022.[http://rulers.org/rulvw.html#wallis_and_futuna Wallis and Futuna] Rulers.org The Council of the Territory consists of three kings (monarchs of the three pre-colonial kingdoms) and three members appointed by the high administrator on the advice of the Territorial Assembly.

The legislative branch consists of the unicameral 20-member Territorial Assembly or Assemblée territoriale. Its members are elected by popular vote, and serve five-year terms. Wallis and Futuna elects one senator to the French Senate and one deputy to the French National Assembly.

Criminal justice is generally governed by French law and administered by a tribunal of first resort in Mata Utu; appeals from that tribunal are decided by the Court of Appeal in Nouméa, New Caledonia. However, in non-criminal cases (civil-law disputes), the three traditional kingdoms administer justice according to customary law.

The territory participates in the Franc Zone, and is both a permanent member of the Secretariat of the Pacific Community and an observer at the Pacific Islands Forum.

File:Wallis and Futuna in France (zoomed).svg

File:Wallis and Futuna-CIA WFB Map.png

File:Wallis vue du ciel.jpg (Uvea)]]

Wallis and Futuna is located at {{Coord|13|18|S|176|12|W|type:isle|display=inline,title}}, {{convert|360|km|mi|abbr=on}} west of Samoa and {{convert|480|km|mi|abbr=on}} northeast of Fiji — about one-third of the way northeast from New Zealand towards Hawaii.

The territory includes the island of Uvéa (also called Wallis), which is the most populous; the island of Futuna; the virtually uninhabited island of Alofi; and 20 uninhabited islets. The total area of the territory is {{convert|274|km2|sqmi|abbr=on}}, with {{convert|129|km|mi|abbr=on}} of coastline. The highest point in the territory is Mont Puke, on the island of Futuna, at {{convert|524|m|ft|abbr=on}}.

The islands have a hot, rainy season from November to April, when tropical cyclones passing over them cause storms. Then they have a cool, dry season from May to October, caused by the southeast trade winds that predominate during those months. The average annual rainfall is between {{convert|2,500|and|3,000|mm|in|abbr=off|sp=us}}, and rain is likely on at least 260 days per year. The average humidity is 80%. The average annual temperature is {{convert|26.6|C|F}}, rarely falling below {{convert|24.0|C|F}}; during the rainy season, it ranges between {{convert|28.0|and|32.0|C|F}}.

Only 5% of the islands' land area consists of arable land; permanent crops cover another 20%. Deforestation is a serious problem: Only small portions of the original forests remain, largely because the inhabitants use wood as their main fuel source, and, as a result, the mountainous terrain of Futuna is particularly susceptible to erosion. The island of Alofi lacks natural freshwater resources, so it has no permanent settlements.

Volcanic activity during the mid-Pleistocene created numerous volcanic crater lakes on Uvea (Wallis Island). The names of some of them are: Lalolalo, Lano, Lanutavake, Lanutuli, Lanumaha, Kikila, and Alofivai.{{cite web |url=https://www.sprep.org/sites/default/files/documents/publications/wallis-futuna-wetlands-directory.pdf |title=Wetlands of Wallis and Futuna |publisher=Secretariat of the Pacific Regional Environment Programme (SPREP) and Service de l’Environnement |year=2017}}

Wallis and Futuna is part of the Fiji tropical moist forests terrestrial ecoregion.{{cite journal |last1=Dinerstein |first1=Eric |last2=Olson |first2=David |last3=Joshi |first3=Anup |last4=Vynne |first4=Carly |last5=Burgess |first5=Neil D. |last6=Wikramanayake |first6=Eric |last7=Hahn |first7=Nathan |last8=Palminteri |first8=Suzanne |last9=Hedao |first9=Prashant|last10=Noss|first10=Reed |last11=Hansen |first11=Matt |last12=Locke |first12=Harvey |last13=Ellis |first13=Erle C |last14=Jones |first14=Benjamin |last15=Barber |first15=Charles Victor |last16=Hayes |first16=Randy |last17=Kormos |first17=Cyril |last18=Martin |first18=Vance |last19=Crist |first19=Eileen|last20=Sechrest|first20=Wes |last21=Price |first21=Lori |last22=Baillie |first22=Jonathan E. M. |last23=Weeden |first23=Don |last24=Suckling |first24=Kierán |last25=Davis |first25=Crystal |last26=Sizer |first26=Nigel |last27=Moore |first27=Rebecca |last28=Thau |first28=David |last29=Birch |first29=Tanya|last30=Potapov|first30=Peter |last31=Turubanova |first31=Svetlana |last32=Tyukavina |first32=Alexandra |last33=de Souza |first33=Nadia |last34=Pintea |first34=Lilian |last35=Brito |first35=José C. |last36=Llewellyn |first36=Othman A. |last37=Miller |first37=Anthony G. |last38=Patzelt |first38=Annette |last39=Ghazanfar |first39=Shahina A.|last40=Timberlake|first40=Jonathan |last41=Klöser |first41=Heinz |last42=Shennan-Farpón |first42=Yara |last43=Kindt |first43=Roeland |last44=Lillesø |first44=Jens-Peter Barnekow |last45=van Breugel |first45=Paulo |last46=Graudal |first46=Lars |last47=Voge |first47=Maianna |last48=Al-Shammari |first48=Khalaf F. |last49=Saleem |first49=Muhammad|display-authors=1 |title=An Ecoregion-Based Approach to Protecting Half the Terrestrial Realm |journal=BioScience |volume=67 |issue=6 |year=2017 |pages=534–545 |issn=0006-3568 |doi=10.1093/biosci/bix014 |pmid=28608869|pmc=5451287 |doi-access=free}}

{{Weather box

|location = Mata Utu (Köppen Af)

|metric first = yes

|single line = yes

|collapsed = yes

|width = auto

|Jan high C = 30.3

|Feb high C = 30.4

|Mar high C = 30.3

|Apr high C = 30.3

|May high C = 29.7

|Jun high C = 29.4

|Jul high C = 28.9

|Aug high C = 29.1

|Sep high C = 29.3

|Oct high C = 29.5

|Nov high C = 29.9

|Dec high C = 30.3

|Jan mean C = 27.4

|Feb mean C = 27.5

|Mar mean C = 27.4

|Apr mean C = 27.4

|May mean C = 27.0

|Jun mean C = 26.9

|Jul mean C = 26.5

|Aug mean C = 26.6

|Sep mean C = 26.8

|Oct mean C = 26.9

|Nov mean C = 27.1

|Dec mean C = 27.4

|Jan low C = 24.4

|Feb low C = 24.5

|Mar low C = 24.5

|Apr low C = 24.4

|May low C = 24.3

|Jun low C = 24.4

|Jul low C = 24.0

|Aug low C = 24.1

|Sep low C = 24.2

|Oct low C = 24.2

|Nov low C = 24.3

|Dec low C = 24.4

|precipitation colour = green

|Jan precipitation mm = 381.4

|Feb precipitation mm = 301.3

|Mar precipitation mm = 373.5

|Apr precipitation mm = 287.6

|May precipitation mm = 258.4

|Jun precipitation mm = 159.3

|Jul precipitation mm = 186.5

|Aug precipitation mm = 149.9

|Sep precipitation mm = 221.1

|Oct precipitation mm = 330.4

|Nov precipitation mm = 322.9

|Dec precipitation mm = 350.3

|Jan rain days = 20

|Feb rain days = 19

|Mar rain days = 19

|Apr rain days = 16

|May rain days = 16

|Jun rain days = 14

|Jul rain days = 14

|Aug rain days = 14

|Sep rain days = 14

|Oct rain days = 19

|Nov rain days = 17

|Dec rain days = 19

|source = Weatherbase{{cite web |url=http://www.weatherbase.com/weather/weather.php3?s=917530&cityname=Mata-Utu-Hahake-Wallis-and-Futuna |title=Mata-Utu, Wallis and Futuna |website=Weatherbase}}

}}

{{Weather box

|location = Hihifo District (Köppen Af)

|metric first = yes

|single line = yes

|collapsed = yes

|width = auto

|Jan record high C = 33.0

|Feb record high C = 33.0

|Mar record high C = 32.8

|Apr record high C = 33.4

|May record high C = 32.8

|Jun record high C = 32.1

|Jul record high C = 31.4

|Aug record high C = 31.5

|Sep record high C = 32.0

|Oct record high C = 31.9

|Nov record high C = 33.1

|Dec record high C = 32.7

|year record high C = 33.4

|Jan high C = 30.7

|Feb high C = 30.8

|Mar high C = 30.9

|Apr high C = 30.8

|May high C = 30.4

|Jun high C = 29.8

|Jul high C = 29.4

|Aug high C = 29.6

|Sep high C = 29.9

|Oct high C = 30.1

|Nov high C = 30.5

|Dec high C = 30.7

|year high C = 30.3

|Jan mean C = 27.9

|Feb mean C = 27.9

|Mar mean C = 27.9

|Apr mean C = 28.0

|May mean C = 27.7

|Jun mean C = 27.5

|Jul mean C = 27.0

|Aug mean C = 27.1

|Sep mean C = 27.3

|Oct mean C = 27.4

|Nov mean C = 27.6

|Dec mean C = 27.9

|year mean C = 27.6

|Jan low C = 25.0

|Feb low C = 25.0

|Mar low C = 25.0

|Apr low C = 25.1

|May low C = 25.0

|Jun low C = 25.1

|Jul low C = 24.6

|Aug low C = 24.6

|Sep low C = 24.8

|Oct low C = 24.7

|Nov low C = 24.8

|Dec low C = 25.0

|year low C = 24.9

|Jan record low C = 19.9

|Feb record low C = 20.5

|Mar record low C = 19.6

|Apr record low C = 19.3

|May record low C = 18.5

|Jun record low C = 19.7

|Jul record low C = 18.0

|Aug record low C = 18.4

|Sep record low C = 19.2

|Oct record low C = 19.5

|Nov record low C = 20.5

|Dec record low C = 19.5

|year record low C = 18.0

|precipitation colour = green

|Jan precipitation mm = 395.2

|Feb precipitation mm = 332.1

|Mar precipitation mm = 309.3

|Apr precipitation mm = 289.1

|May precipitation mm = 223.8

|Jun precipitation mm = 179.7

|Jul precipitation mm = 213.4

|Aug precipitation mm = 165.3

|Sep precipitation mm = 219.8

|Oct precipitation mm = 297.8

|Nov precipitation mm = 306.2

|Dec precipitation mm = 347.0

|year precipitation mm = 3278.7

|unit precipitation days = 1.0 mm

|Jan precipitation days = 20.2

|Feb precipitation days = 18.1

|Mar precipitation days = 19.3

|Apr precipitation days = 17.4

|May precipitation days = 16.7

|Jun precipitation days = 14.8

|Jul precipitation days = 15.6

|Aug precipitation days = 14.5

|Sep precipitation days = 15.4

|Oct precipitation days = 17.7

|Nov precipitation days = 18.0

|Dec precipitation days = 19.9

|year precipitation days = 207.6

|Jan sun = 170.9

|Feb sun = 161.4

|Mar sun = 175.4

|Apr sun = 185.9

|May sun = 180.8

|Jun sun = 167.9

|Jul sun = 179.8

|Aug sun = 192.5

|Sep sun = 191.0

|Oct sun = 187.4

|Nov sun = 181.6

|Dec sun = 175.2

|year sun = 2149.9

|source 1 = Météo France{{cite web

| url = https://donneespubliques.meteofrance.fr/FichesClim/FICHECLIM_98613001.pdf

| title=Climate of Hihifo 1991-2020

| language = fr

| publisher = Météo-France

| access-date = August 25, 2022}}}}

{{Multiple image

| align = right

| direction = horizontal

| width =

| image1 = Wallis Uvea ISS004.jpg

| width1 = 150

| alt1 =

| caption1 = Satellite image of Wallis Island

| image2 = Futuna and Alofi.jpg

| width2 = 150

| alt2 =

| caption2 = Satellite image of Futuna Island and Alofi Island, also known as the Hoorn Islands

}}

{{see also|List of mammals of the Wallis and Futuna Islands}}

{{main|Economy of Wallis and Futuna}}

The GDP of Wallis and Futuna in 2019 was US$212 million (at market exchange rates).

The territory's economy consists mostly of traditional subsistence agriculture, with about 80% of the labor force earning its livelihood from agriculture (coconuts and vegetables), livestock (mostly pigs), and fishing. About 4% of the population is employed in government. Additional revenue comes from French government subsidies, licensing of fishing rights to Japan and South Korea, import taxes, and remittances from expatriate workers in New Caledonia, French Polynesia, and France. Industries include copra, handicrafts, fishing, and lumber. Agricultural products include coconuts, breadfruit, yams, taro, bananas, pigs, and fish.

Exports include copra, chemicals, and fish.

There is a single bank in the territory, Banque de Wallis-et-Futuna, established in 1991. It is a subsidiary of BNP Paribas. There had previously been a branch of Banque Indosuez at Mata Utu. It had opened in 1977, but was closed in 1989, leaving the territory without any bank for two years.

{{Main|Demographics of Wallis and Futuna}}

File:Taoa (Futuna).jpg]]

File:Sérénité - plage d'Alofi (Wallis et Futuna).jpg]]

The total population of the territory at the July 2023 census was 11,151 (72.5% on the island of Wallis, 27.5% on the island of Futuna),{{Cite web|url=https://www.wallis-et-futuna.gouv.fr/Actualites/Les-chiffres-INSEE-du-recensement-2023-authentifies-sont-parus|title = Résultats du recensement de la population 2023 de Wallis-et-Futuna |language=fr |publisher=Préfet des îles Wallis et Futuna |access-date=2024-01-17 }} down from 14,944 at the July 2003 census.{{cite web |url=https://www.insee.fr/fr/statistiques/1281314 |title=Wallis et Futuna a perdu près du cinquième de sa population en dix ans |author=INSEE |access-date=2019-04-07 |language=fr}} The vast majority of the population are of Polynesian ethnicity, with a small minority who were born in Metropolitan France or are of French European descent.

Lack of economic opportunities has, since the 1950s, been impelling many young Wallisians and Futunians to migrate to the more prosperous French territory of New Caledonia, where, as French citizens, they are legally entitled to settle and work. Since the mid-2000s, emigration has surged in response to political tensions on the main island of Wallis (Uvea), that have arisen from a feud between rival aristocratic clans, who are supporting competing kings. Emigrants have begun settling, not only in New Caledonia, but also much farther away, in Metropolitan France. At the 2019 New Caledonian census, 22,520 residents of New Caledonia (whether born in New Caledonia or in Wallis and Futuna) reported their ethnicity as "Wallisian and Futunian".{{cite web |url=https://www.isee.nc/component/phocadownload/category/278-donnees?download=874:structure-de-la-population-des-communautes |title=Population Structure of Communities |publisher=Institute of Statistics and Economic Studies (ISEE-NC) |place=Nouméa |access-date=29 October 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191113144638/http://www.isee.nc/component/phocadownload/category/278-donnees?download=874:structure-de-la-population-des-communautes |archive-date=13 November 2019 |url-status=live}} This is almost double the total population of Wallis and Futuna.

{{further|Wallisian language|Futunan language}}

{{Pie chart

| thumb = right

| caption = Languages spoken at home in Wallis and Futuna (2018 Census)

| label1 = Wallisian

| value1 = 59.1| color2=#36A

| label2 = Futunan

| value2 = 27.9| color1=#6A5

| label3 = French

| value3 = 12.7 | color3=#FF33AC

}}

According to the 2018 census, among people 14 years and older, 59.1% reported Wallisian as the language they spoke the most at home (down from 60.2% in 2008), 27.9% reported Futunan (down from 29.9% in 2008), and 12.7% reported French (up from 9.7% in 2008).{{cite web |url=https://www.statistique.wf/download/43/recensement-2018/1157/principaux_tableaux_population_2018.ods |title=Recensement 2018 - Tableau Pop_06_6 : Population selon le sexe, la langue la plus couramment parlée en famille, l'âge décennal et par village de résidence |author=STSEE |format=ODS| access-date=2023-03-07 |language=fr}}{{cite web |url=http://www.insee.fr/fr/ppp/bases-de-donnees/irweb/rpwf08/dd/excel/rpwf08_Pop_06.xls |title=Recensement 2008 - Tableau Pop_06_6 : Population selon le sexe, la langue la plus couramment parlée en famille, l'âge décennal et par village de résidence |publisher=Government of France |format=XLS| access-date=3 October 2009 |language=fr|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110604180112/http://www.insee.fr/fr/ppp/bases-de-donnees/irweb/rpwf08/dd/excel/rpwf08_Pop_06.xls|archive-date=2011-06-04}} On Wallis Island, the languages most spoken at home were Wallisian (82.2%, down from 86.1% in 2008), French (15.6%, up from 12.1% in 2008), and Futunan (1.9%, up from 1.5% in 2008). On Futuna, the languages most spoken at home were Futunan (94.5%, down from 94.9% in 2008), French (5.3%, up from 4.2% in 2008), and Wallisian (0.2%, down from 0.8% in 2008).

At the 2018 census, 90.5% of people 14 y/o and older could speak, read and write either Wallisian or Futunan (up from 88.5% at the 2008 census), and 7.2% had no knowledge of either Wallisian or Futunan (same percentage as at the 2008 census).{{cite web |url=https://www.statistique.wf/download/43/recensement-2018/1157/principaux_tableaux_population_2018.ods |title=Recensement 2018 - Tableau Pop_06_4 : Population selon le sexe, la connaissance d'une langue polynésienne et par unité administrative de résidence |author=STSEE |format=ODS| access-date=2023-03-07 |language=fr}}{{cite web |url=http://www.insee.fr/fr/ppp/bases-de-donnees/irweb/rpwf08/dd/excel/rpwf08_Pop_06.xls |title=Recensement 2008 - Tableau Pop_06_4 : Population selon le sexe, la connaissance d'une langue polynésienne et par village de résidence |publisher=Government of France |format=XLS| access-date=3 October 2009 |language=fr|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110604180112/http://www.insee.fr/fr/ppp/bases-de-donnees/irweb/rpwf08/dd/excel/rpwf08_Pop_06.xls|archive-date=2011-06-04}}

Among those 14 y/o and older, 84.2% could speak, read and write French in 2018 (up from 78.2% at the 2008 census), and 11.8% reported that they had no knowledge of French (down from 17.3% at the 2008 census).{{cite web |url=https://www.statistique.wf/download/43/recensement-2018/1157/principaux_tableaux_population_2018.ods |title=Recensement 2018 - Tableau Pop_06_2 : Population selon le sexe, la connaissance du français et par unité administrative de résidence |author=STSEE |format=ODS| access-date=2023-03-07 |language=fr}}{{cite web |url=http://www.insee.fr/fr/ppp/bases-de-donnees/irweb/rpwf08/dd/excel/rpwf08_Pop_06.xls |title=Recensement 2008 - Tableau Pop_06_2 : Population selon le sexe, la connaissance du français et par village de résidence |publisher=Government of France |format=XLS| access-date=3 October 2009 |language=fr|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110604180112/http://www.insee.fr/fr/ppp/bases-de-donnees/irweb/rpwf08/dd/excel/rpwf08_Pop_06.xls|archive-date=2011-06-04}} On Wallis Island, 85.1% of people age 14 or older could speak, read and write French (up from 81.1% at the 2008 census), and 10.9% reported that they had no knowledge of French (down from 14.3% at the 2008 census). On Futuna, 81.9% of people age 14 or older could speak, read and write French (up from 71.6% at the 2008 census), and 14.0% had no knowledge of French (down from 24.3% at the 2008 census).

File:Cathédrale de Mata-Utu (Wallis-et-Futuna) drone.png]]

The overwhelming majority (99%) of the people in Wallis and Futuna are Catholics, with the island having been evangelized in the 19th century by Fr Peter Chanel, SM.{{cite web |url=https://www.cia.gov/the-world-factbook/countries/wallis-and-futuna/ |title=The World Factbook – Central Intelligence Agency |website=www.cia.gov|access-date=14 April 2018}} They are served by their own Diocese of Wallis and Futuna, with a see at Mata Utu, a suffragan diocese of the Metropolitan Archdiocese of Nouméa (New Caledonia).{{cite web |url=http://www.gcatholic.org/dioceses/diocese/wall0.htm |title=Diocese of Wallis et Futuna |publisher=GCatholic |access-date=24 June 2022}}

{{main|Culture of Wallis and Futuna}}

The culture of Wallis and Futuna is Polynesian, and is similar to the cultures of its neighboring nations Samoa and Tonga. The Wallisian and Futunan cultures are very similar to each other in language, dance, cuisine and modes of celebration.

Fishing and agriculture are the traditional occupations, and most people live in traditional oval, thatch fale houses.{{cite book |publisher=International Business Publications, USA |title=Wallis & Futuna Business Law Handbook: Strategic Information and Laws |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Tf277xC9GO8C&pg=PA37|access-date=9 May 2013 |date=1 January 2012 |isbn=978-1-4387-7141-0 |pages=37–}} Kava is a popular beverage brewed in the two islands, as in much else of Polynesia. It also serves as a traditional offering in rituals. Highly detailed tapa cloth art is a specialty of Wallis and Futuna.{{cite book |last1=Hinz |first1=Earl R. |last2=Howard |first2=Jim |title=Landfalls of Paradise: Cruising Guide to the Pacific Islands |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=CjIg5FgUUW8C&pg=PA220 |year=2006 |publisher=University of Hawaii Press |isbn=978-0-8248-3037-3 |pages=220–}}

Uvea Museum Association is a private museum that holds a collection of objects that record the history of the Second World War in the territory.{{Cite journal |last1=Mayer |first1=Raymond |last2=Nau |first2=Malino |last3=Pambrun |first3=Eric |last4=Laurent |first4=Christophe |date=2006 |title=Chanter la guerre à Wallis ('Uvea) |url=https://journals.openedition.org/jso/614 |journal=Journal de la Société des Océanistes |language=fr |issue=122–123 |pages=153–171 |doi=10.4000/jso.614 |issn=|doi-access=free }} It is located in Mata Utu shopping center and in 2009 was open by appointment.Bernard Klein, [https://www.ac-wf.wf/IMG/pdf/Lettre-no4.pdf La lettre d'Histoire-Géographie] October–November 2009, No. 4

In 2018, the territory had 3,132 telephones in use,{{cite web |url=https://www.cia.gov/the-world-factbook/countries/wallis-and-futuna/ |title=Wallis and Futuna |publisher=CIA World Factbook |access-date=24 June 2022}} one AM radio station, and two television broadcast stations.{{citation needed|date=April 2016}} Communication costs are up to ten times higher{{citation needed|date=April 2016}} than in western countries. The island of Wallis has about {{convert|100|km|mi|abbr=on}} of roadways, 16 of which are paved. The island of Futuna has only {{convert|20|km|mi|abbr=on}} of roadways, none of which are paved. The territory has two main ports, in the harbors at Mata Utu and Leava (on the island of Futuna). These ports support its merchant marine fleet, which comprises three ships (two passenger ships and a petroleum tanker), totaling 92,060 GRT or 45,881 tonnes. There are two airports: Hihifo Airport, on Wallis, which has a {{convert|2.1|km|mi|abbr=on}} paved runway; and Pointe Vele Airport, on Futuna, which has a {{convert|1|km|mi|abbr=on}} runway.{{cite web |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FmuCS7wUoU4&nohtml5=False |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211211/FmuCS7wUoU4| archive-date=2021-12-11 |url-status=live|title=Futuna - přílet z Wallisu - Flying to Futuna Island (from Wallis) |last=Dominik Maximilián Ramík |date=26 May 2009|access-date=14 April 2018 |via=YouTube}}{{cbignore}} Now the only commercial flights to and from Wallis are operated by Caledonia-based Aircalin, which has an office in Mata Utu. There are currently no commercial boat operators.

The French High Commission published a local newspaper in the 1970s, Nouvelles de Wallis et de Futuna.{{Cite web |last=Dawrs |first=Stu |title=Research Guides: Pacific Islands Newspapers : Wallis and Futuna |url=https://guides.library.manoa.hawaii.edu/c.php?g=105813&p=1017017|access-date=2020-09-16 |website=guides.library.manoa.hawaii.edu}} Today, news is available online via a local program broadcast by the French television network La Première.{{Cite web |title=Wallis-et-Futuna la 1ère : actualités et info en direct de Wallis-et-Futuna, replays TV et radio |url=https://la1ere.francetvinfo.fr/wallisfutuna/|access-date=2020-09-16 |website=Wallis-et-Futuna la 1ère |language=fr-FR}}

There are 18 primary schools in the territory, 12 on Wallis and six on Futuna, with a combined total of over 5200 students."[http://www.wallis-et-futuna.pref.gouv.fr/content/download/930/6048/file/Livret%20d'accueil%20version%20site%20final%202.pdf LIVRET D'ACCUEIL Wallis et Futuna]." Wallis and Futuna. p. 22 (22/28). Retrieved on 14 September 2016.

The territory has six junior high schools and one senior high school/sixth-form college."[https://web.archive.org/web/20160624145135/https://www.ac-wf.wf/-Colleges-Lycee-.html Cartographie des établissements du second degré]." Wallis and Futuna. 24 June 2016. Retrieved on 14 September 2016.

• Junior high schools (collèges) in Wallis: Mataotama de Malae, Alofivai de Lano, Vaimoana de Lavegahau, and Tinemui de Teesi
• Junior high schools in Futuna: Fiua de Sigave and Sisia d'Ono
• The senior high school/sixth-form college is Lycée d'État de Wallis et Futuna on Wallis

There is also an agricultural high school.

{{see also|COVID-19 pandemic in Wallis and Futuna}}

As of 2018, yaws was endemic in the area, but cases were not being reported to the WHO eradication program.{{cite journal |last1=Fitzpatrick |first1=Christopher |last2=Asiedu |first2=Kingsley |last3=Solomon |first3=Anthony W. |last4=Mitja |first4=Oriol |last5=Marks |first5=Michael |last6=Van der Stuyft |first6=Patrick |last7=Meheus |first7=Filip |title=Prioritizing surveillance activities for certification of yaws eradication based on a review and model of historical case reporting |journal=PLOS Neglected Tropical Diseases |date=4 December 2018 |volume=12 |issue=12 |pages=e0006953 |doi=10.1371/journal.pntd.0006953 |pmid=30513075 |pmc=6294396 |issn=1935-2727|doi-access=free}}

Healthcare is available free of charge in two hospitals on Uvea and Futuna islands.{{cite web |title=Wallis and Futuna - Economy |url=https://www.britannica.com/place/Wallis-and-Futuna/Economy |website=Encyclopedia Britannica}} There are also three dispensaries.{{cite web |title=Travel Tips for Wallis and Futuna (France), Updated Intl. Guide – Travel Medicine, Inc. |url=https://www.travmed.com/pages/wallis-and-futuna-france |website=www.travmed.com}}

Deforestation is a major concern in the region as only small portions of the original forests remain due to the continued use of wood as the main source of fuel. Consequently, the mountainous terrain of Futuna has become prone to erosion. There are no permanent settlements on Alofi due to the lack of natural freshwater resources, and the presence of infertile soil on the islands of Uvea and Futuna further reduces agricultural productivity.{{Cite web |url=https://www.cia.gov/the-world-factbook/countries/wallis-and-futuna/ |title=The World Factbook |website=Central Intelligence Agency|date=15 February 2023 }}

Wallis and Futuna competes in the Pacific Games.{{cite web | title=SOL23: Wallis & Futuna's Chef De Mission leads the way, Australia sends 100 police officers | website=Islands Business | date=2023-11-09 | url=https://islandsbusiness.com/news-break/pacific-games/ | access-date=2024-04-05}} Volleyball and rugby union are popular in the territory,{{cite web | last=Ryan | first=Aaron | title=More light needs to shine on Wallis and Futuna rugby players. | website=Te Ao Māori News | date=2023-12-28 | url=https://www.teaonews.co.nz/2023/12/28/more-light-needs-to-shine-on-wallis-and-futuna-rugby-players/ | access-date=2024-04-05}} with several rugby players going on to play for the France national rugby union team.{{cite web | first=Tony | last=Smith | title=Six Nations: How Wallis and Futuna players have boosted France's title hopes | website=Stuff | url=https://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby/international/127882520/six-nations-how-wallis-and-futuna-players-have-boosted-frances-title-hopes | access-date=2024-04-05}}

{{Portal|Geography|Islands|Oceania}}

• Outline of Wallis and Futuna
• Administrative divisions of France
• French overseas departments and territories
• Islands controlled by France in the Indian and Pacific oceans
• Katoaga
• Vicariate Apostolic of Oriental Oceania
• Wallis and Futuna during the Second World War
• Statute of Wallis and Futuna (1961)
• Customary kingdoms of Wallis and Futuna
• Protectorate of Wallis and Futuna
• Customary Kings of Wallis and Futuna

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{{notelist-ua}}

{{Reflist}}

{{Wiktionary|Wallis and Futuna}}

{{Commons category}}

{{Wikivoyage}}

• {{Wikiatlas}}
• [http://www.wallis-et-futuna.pref.gouv.fr/ Official website of the French Administrateur supérieur de Wallis-et-Futuna] {{in lang|fr}}
• [https://la1ere.francetvinfo.fr/wallisfutuna/ Wallis-et-Futuna La 1ère] – Online news
• [http://www.gcatholic.org/dioceses/country/WF.htm GigaCatholic]
• [http://www.outre-mer.gouv.fr/outremer/galerie/WallisetFutuna/carte_WF.gif Map of Wallis and Futuna, with district boundaries]
• [http://www.tlfq.ulaval.ca/axl/pacifique/wallis-futuna.htm Information about Wallis and Futuna] {{in lang|fr}}

{{Wallis and Futuna topics}}

{{French overseas departments and territories}}

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