Background: Although discovered by the Dutch and the British in the 17th and 18th centuries it was the French who declared a protectorate over the islands in 1842. In 1959 the inhabitants of the islands voted to become a French overseas territory.

Land boundaries: none

Coastline: 129 km

Maritime claims
Continental shelf: 200 meters or to depth of exploitation
Extended economic zone: 200 nm
Territorial sea: 12 nm

Climate: tropical; hot, rainy season (November to April; cool, dry season (May to October)

Terrain: volcanic origin; low hills

Natural resources: negligible

Land use: 5% arable land; 20% permanent crops; 0% meadows and pastures; 0% forest and woodland; 75% other

Geography
Note: defense is the responsibility of France

Population: 14,910 (July 1990), growth rate 3.0% (1990)

Nationality: noun--Wallisian(s), Futunan(s), or Wallis and Futuna Islanders; adjective--Wallisian, Futunan, or Wallis and Futuna Islander

Ethnic groups: almost entirely Polynesian

Languages: French, Wallisian (indigenous Polynesian language)

Religions: largely Roman Catholic

Birth rate: 28 births/1000 population (1990)

Death rate: 6 deaths/1000 population (1990)

Net migration rate: 8 migrants/1000 population (1990)

Environment
Current issues: both island groups have fringing reefs

Infant mortality rate: 32 deaths/1000 population (1990)

Life expectancy at birth: 69 years male, 70 years female (1990)

Total fertility rate: 3.8 children born/woman (1990)

Literacy: NA%

Country name: conventional long form: Territory of the Wallis and Futuna Islands

Government type: overseas territory of France

Capital: Mata-Utu

Administrative divisions: none (overseas territory of France)

Independence: none (overseas territory of France)

National holiday: Taking of the Bastille, 14 July (1789)

Constitution: 28 September 1958 (French Constitution)

Legal system: French

Suffrage: universal adult at age NA

Executive branch: Chief of State--President Francois MITTERRAND (since 21 May 1981; Head of Government--Chief Administrator Roger DUMEC (since 15 July 1988)

Legislative branch: unicameral Territorial Assembly (Assemblee Territoriale)

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

Diplomatic representation
In the us: as an overseas territory of France, local interests are represented in the US by France

Flag description: the flag of France is used

Economy 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.

Agriculture products: dominated by coconut production, with subsistence crops of yams, taro, bananas

Industries: copra, handicrafts, fishing, lumber

Industrial production growth rate: NA%

Labor force: NA

Unemployment rate: NA%

Budget: revenues $NA; expenditures $NA, including capital expenditures of $NA

Fiscal year: NA

Exports: $NA
Commodities: copra
Partners: NA

Imports: $3.4 million (c.i.f., 1977)
Commodities: largely foodstuffs and some equipment associated with development programs
Partners: France, Australia, New Zealand

Debt external: $NA

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

Electricity
Capacity: 1,200 kW capacity; 1 million kWh produced, 70 kWh per capita (1989)

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

Waterways: none