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The island of Wallis is also known as 'Uvea. The islands collectively form an offshore protectorate territory. However, it was not the French who were the first Europeans to chance on them. The island of Futuna was 'discovered' by the Dutch and Wallis by the British.
Location of Wallis and Futuna : the country of Wallis and Futuna lies in the southern region of the Pacific Ocean in Oceania. It also lies to the west of a group of islands called the Samoa.
Physical Map of Wallis and Futuna : Wallis and Futuna is a place where the mountains and seas coexist. All the hills and mountains are of volcanic origin. While Wallis has remnants of volcanic activity, the Futuna doesn't sport of prominent volcanic landscape. There are low hills and mountains with the highest of them beong Mount Loka. The islands lie on a barrier reef with 15 other tiny islands.
Climate of Wallis and Futuna : Wallis and Futuna boasts of tropical climatic conditions. The summers/rains are wet as they are hot; while the winters are pleasantly cool and dry. The summers/monsoons fall between the months of November and April; while winters stretch between May and October.
Flora and Fauna of Wallis and Futuna : the flora of the islands of Wallis and Futuna comprise of things that flourish on volcanic soil. So the trees, fruits and plants growing on the islands include coconut palms, bananas, breadfruit, coconuts, lemons, pineapples, oranges, mangos, papayas, yams, taros and maniocs. The islands are also known for several exotic flowers. Animal fauna are mostly of the domestic variety, consisting of goats and pigs; hens are also reared on the islands. However, one thing that populate the islands abundantly is the avian fauna; making the islands an ornithologist's paradise. One can find species like gannets, frigates, white-collared kingfishers, Polynesian trillers, Fiji shrikebills and blue-crowned Lorikeet. The islands house other varieties of fauna like the flying fox, geckoes, lizards and turtles.
People of Wallis and Futuna : the people of Wallis and Futuna are predominantly Roman Catholics. They are most of them Polynesian in origin; though later Tongan conquests of the islands have also left a mark on the people, their culture and their traditions.
Arts, Culture and Music of Wallis and Futuna : the culture of Wallis and Futuna is dominantly Polynesian. So, the chief music form is also Polynesian music. The island of Wallis also has a dance form called the Kailao which was later used by the Tongans as a symbolic dance of war.
comprising of four symmetrical inward facing triangles, forming a cross, on a backdrop of bright red. The four equal triangles stand for the equal power and status held by the three native kings and France. The French official flag appears on the top left hand corner.
Economy of Wallis and Futuna : the chief support of the economy in Wallis and Futuna is furnished by its agricultural produce and its tourism industry. Rearing of livestock, like pigs, and fishing also takes the economy of Wallis and Futuna further. However, its main export products are copra (coconut fiber), lumber, chemicals and materials used for construction. Handicrafts are another thing that bring in revenues into the islands.
