1996 Edition

Description

a white modified Maltese cross centered on a red background; the flag of France outlined in white on two sides is in the upper hoist quadrant; the flag of France is used for official occasions

Location

13 18 S, 176 12 W -- Oceania, islands in the South Pacific Ocean, about two-thirds of the way from Hawaii to New Zealand Flag ----

Area

comparative area

slightly larger than Washington, DC

land area

274 sq km

note

includes Ile Uvea (Wallis Island), Ile Futuna (Futuna Island), Ile Alofi, and 20 islets

total area

274 sq km

Climate

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

Coastline

129 km

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 fresh water resources

international agreements

NA

natural hazards

NA

Geographic coordinates

13 18 S, 176 12 W

Geographic note

both island groups have fringing reefs

International disputes

none

Irrigated land

NA sq km

Land boundaries

0 km

Land use

arable land

5%

forest and woodland

0%

meadows and pastures

0%

other

75%

permanent crops

20%

Location

Oceania, islands in the South Pacific Ocean, about two-thirds of the way from Hawaii to New Zealand

Map references

Oceania

Maritime claims

exclusive economic zone

200 nm

territorial sea

12 nm

Natural resources

NEGL

Terrain

volcanic origin; low hills

highest point

Mount Singavi 765 m

lowest point

Pacific Ocean 0 m

Age structure

0-14 years: NA 15-64 years: NA 65 years and over: NA

Birth rate

24.38 births/1,000 population (1996 est.)

Death rate

5.02 deaths/1,000 population (1996 est.)

Ethnic divisions

Polynesian

Infant mortality rate

23.59 deaths/1,000 live births (1996 est.)

Languages

French, Wallisian (indigenous Polynesian language)

Life expectancy at birth

female

73.4 years (1996 est.)

male

72.16 years

total population

72.76 years

Literacy

age 15 and over can read and write (1969 est.)

female

50%

male

50%

total population

50%

Nationality

adjective

Wallisian, Futunan, or Wallis and Futuna Islander

noun

Wallisian(s), Futunan(s), or Wallis and Futuna Islanders

Net migration rate

-8.23 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1996 est.)

Population

14,659 (July 1996 est.)

Population growth rate

1.11% (1996 est.)

Religions

Roman Catholic 100%

Sex ratio

all ages

NA male(s)/female

at birth

NA male(s)/female

under 15 years

NA male(s)/female 15-64 years: NA male(s)/female 65 years and over: NA male(s)/female

Total fertility rate

3 children born/woman (1996 est.)

Administrative divisions

none (overseas territory of France); there are no first-order administrative divisions as defined by the US Government, but there are three kingdoms named Wallis, Sigave, Alo

Capital

Mata-Utu (on Ile Uvea)

Constitution

28 September 1958 (French Constitution)

Data code

WF

Diplomatic representation in US

none (overseas territory of France)

Executive branch

cabinet

Council of the Territory consists of three kings and three members appointed by the high administrator on advice of the Territorial Assembly

chief of state

President (of France) Jacques CHIRAC (since 17 May 1995), represented by High Administrator Leon-Alexandre LEGRAND (since NA) was appointed by the French Ministry of the Interior

head of government

President of the Territorial Assembly Mikaele TAUHAVILI (since NA)

note

there are three traditional kings with limited powers

Flag

a white modified Maltese cross centered on a red background; the flag of France outlined in white on two sides is in the upper hoist quadrant; the flag of France is used for official occasions

French National Assembly

elections last held 21 and 28 March 1992 (next to be held by NA September 1996); results - percent of vote by party NA; seats - (1 total) MRG 1; note - Wallis and Futuna elect one deputy

French Senate

elections last held 24 September 1989 (next to be held by NA September 1998); results - percent of vote by party NA; seats - (1 total) RPR 1

Independence

none (overseas territory of France)

International organization participation

FZ, SPC

Judicial branch

none; justice generally administered under French law by the high administrator, but the three traditional kings administer customary law and there is a magistrate in Mata-Utu

Legal system

French legal system

Legislative branch

unicameral

Name of country

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

Political parties and leaders

Rally for the Republic (RPR); Union Populaire Locale (UPL); Union Pour la Democratie Francaise (UDF); Lua kae tahi (Giscardians); Mouvement des Radicaux de Gauche (MRG); Taumu'a Lelei

Suffrage

18 years of age; universal

Territorial Assembly (Assemblee Territoriale)

elections last held 22 March 1992 (next to be held NA March 1997); results - percent of vote by party NA; seats - (20 total) RPR 9, Taumu'a Lelei 11

Type of government

overseas territory of France

US diplomatic representation

none (overseas territory of France)

Agriculture

yams, taro, bananas; pigs, goats

Budget

expenditures

$14.04 million, including capital expenditures of $NA (1994 est.)

revenues

$14.04 million

Currency

1 CFP franc (CFPF) = 100 centimes

Economic aid

recipient

ODA, $NA

Economic overview

The economy is limited to 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. 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. Wallis and Futuna imports food - particularly sugar, rice, and beef - fuel, clothing, machinery, and transport equipment, but its exports are negligible, consisting of copra and handicrafts.

Electricity

capacity

1,200 kW

consumption per capita

70 kWh (1990)

production

1 million kWh

Exchange rates

Comptoirs Francais du Pacifique francs (CFPF) per US$1 - 91.00 (January 1996), 90.75 (1995), 100.94 (1994), 102.96 (1993), 96.24 (1992), 102.57 (1991); note - linked at the rate of 18.18 to the French franc

Exports

$370,000 (f.o.b., 1995 est.)

commodities

copra, handicrafts

partners

NA

External debt

$NA

Fiscal year

calendar year

GDP

purchasing power parity - $28.7 million (1995 est.)

GDP composition by sector

agriculture

NA%

industry

NA%

services

NA%

GDP per capita

$2,500 (1995 est.)

GDP real growth rate

NA%

Imports

$13.5 million (c.i.f., 1995 est.)

commodities

foodstuffs, manufactured goods, transportation equipment, fuel, clothing

partners

France, Australia, New Zealand

Industrial production growth rate

NA%

Industries

copra, handicrafts, fishing, lumber

Inflation rate (consumer prices)

NA%

Labor force

NA

by occupation

agriculture, livestock, and fishing 80%, government 4% (est.)

Unemployment rate

NA%

Defense note

defense is the responsibility of France

Radio broadcast stations

AM 1, FM 0, shortwave 0

Radios

NA

Telephone system

domestic

NA

international

NA

Telephones

340 (1985 est.)

Televisions

NA Defense

Airports

total

2

with paved runways 1 524 to 2 437 m

1

with unpaved runways 914 to 1 523 m

1 (1995 est.)

Highways

paved

16 km (all on Ile Uvea)

total

120 km (Ile Uvea 100 km, Ile Futuna 20 km)

unpaved

104 km (Ile Uvea 84 km, Ile Futuna 20 km)

Merchant marine

total

1 oil tanker (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 26,000 GRT/40,000 DWT (1995 est.)

Ports

Leava, Mata-Utu

Railways

0 km

Waterways

none