1990 Edition
CIA World Factbook 1990 (Project Gutenberg)
Geography
Climate
tropical; hot, rainy season (November to April); cool, dry season (May to October)
Coastline
129 km
Comparative area
slightly larger than Washington, DC
Continental shelf
200 meters or to depth of exploitation;
Environment
both island groups have fringing reefs
Extended economic zone
200 nm;
Land boundaries
none
Land use
5% arable land; 20% permanent crops; 0% meadows and pastures; 0% forest and woodland; 75% other
Natural resources
negligible
Note
located 4,600 km southwest of Honolulu in the South Pacific Ocean about two-thirds of the way from Hawaii to New Zealand
Terrain
volcanic origin; low hills
Territorial sea
12 nm
Total area
274 km2; land area: 274 km2
People and Society
Birth rate
28 births/1,000 population (1990)
Death rate
6 deaths/1,000 population (1990)
Ethnic divisions
almost entirely Polynesian
Infant mortality rate
32 deaths/1,000 population (1990)
Labor force
NA
Language
French, Wallisian (indigenous Polynesian language)
Life expectancy at birth
69 years male, 70 years female (1990)
Literacy
NA%
Nationality
noun--Wallisian(s), Futunan(s), or Wallis and Futuna Islanders; adjective--Wallisian, Futunan, or Wallis and Futuna Islander
Net migration rate
8 migrants/1,000 population (1990)
Organized labor
NA
Population
14,910 (July 1990), growth rate 3.0% (1990)
Religion
largely Roman Catholic
Total fertility rate
3.8 children born/woman (1990)
Government
Administrative divisions
none (overseas territory of France)
Capital
Mata-Utu
Constitution
28 September 1958 (French Constitution)
Diplomatic representation
as an overseas territory of France, local interests are represented in the US by France
Elections
Territorial Assembly--last held 15 March 1987 (next to be held March 1992); results--percent of vote by party NA; seats--(20 total) RPR 7, UDF coalition 7, UPL 6; French Senate--last held NA (next to be held NA); results--percent of vote by party NA; seats--(1 total) party of the representative is NA; French National Assembly--last held NA (next to be held NA); results--percent of vote by party NA; seats--(1 total) RPR 1
Executive branch
French president, high administrator; note--there are three traditional kings with limited powers
Flag
the flag of France is used
Independence
none (overseas territory of France)
Judicial branch
none; justice generally administered under French law by the chief administrator, but the three traditional kings administer customary law and there is a magistrate in Mata-Utu
Leaders
Chief of State--President Francois MITTERRAND (since 21 May 1981); Head of Government--Chief Administrator Roger DUMEC
Legal system
French
Legislative branch
unicameral Territorial Assembly
Long-form name
Territory of the Wallis and Futuna Islands
National holiday
Taking of the Bastille, 14 July (1789)
Political parties and leaders
Rally for the Republic (RPR); Union Populaire Locale (UPL); Union Pour la Democratie Francaise
Suffrage
universal adult at age NA
Type
overseas territory of France
Economy
Agriculture
dominated by coconut production, with subsistence crops of yams, taro, bananas
Aid
Western (non-US) countries, ODA and OOF bilateral commitments (1970-87), $118 million
Budget
revenues $NA; expenditures $NA, including capital expenditures of $NA
Currency
Comptoirs Francais du Pacifique franc (plural--francs); 1 CFP franc (CFPF) = 100 centimes
Electricity
1,200 kW capacity; 1 million kWh produced, 70 kWh per capita (1989)
Exchange rates
Comptoirs Francais du Pacifique francs (CFPF) per US$1--104.71 (January 1990), 115.99 (1989), 108.30 (1988), 109.27 (1987), 125.92 (1986), 163.35 (1985); note--linked at the rate of 18.18 to the French franc
Exports
$NA; commodities--copra; partners--NA
External debt
$NA
Fiscal year
NA
GDP
$6.7 million, per capita $484; real growth rate NA% (est. 1985)
Imports
$3.4 million (c.i.f., 1977); commodities--largely foodstuffs and some equipment associated with development programs; partners--France, Australia, New Zealand
Industrial production
growth rate NA%
Industries
copra, handicrafts, fishing, lumber
Inflation rate (consumer prices)
NA%
Overview
The economy is limited to subsistence agriculture. The majority of the labor force earns its livelihood from agriculture, raising livestock, and fishing, with the rest employed by the government sector. Exports are negligible. The Territory has to import food, fuel, and construction materials, and is dependent on budgetary support from France to meet recurring expenses. The economy also benefits from cash remittances from expatriate workers.
Unemployment rate
NA%
Communications
Airports
2 total; 2 usable; 1 with permanent-surface runways; none with runways over 2,439 m; 1 with runways 1,220-2,439 m
Highways
100 km on Ile Uvea (Wallis Island), 16 km sealed; 20 km earth surface on Ile Futuna (Futuna Island)
Inland waterways
none
Ports
Mata-Utu, Leava
Telecommunications
225 telephones; stations--1 AM, no FM, no TV
Military and Security
Note
defense is the responsibility of France