Experiences in Wallis and Futuna Islands
Wallis & Futuna is a French Overseas Collectivity located over 16,000 kilometres from France, in the heart of the Pacific Ocean. Unspoiled by mass tourism, Wallis & Futuna is blessed with outstanding attractions for tourists.
The islands of Wallis, on one hand, and Futuna and Alofi, on the other, form part of the “Polynesian triangle” and are steeped in Polynesian cultural traditions. They are about 300 km from Fiji and Samoa, 2,100 km from New Caledonia and 2,800 km from Tahiti.
The Territory has a current population of 11,562 inhabitants, two thirds of whom live in Wallis and one third in Futuna.
Wallis & Futuna is a resolutely distinctive overseas territory which has never been colonised, but decided to become part of the French Republic whilst maintaining its 3 kingdoms. Thus, the Wallisians and Futunans have harmonised French culture with the ancient traditions they share with the peoples of the Pacific Region.
Geographic location
The Wallis & Futuna island group is located in the South Pacific Ocean. The nearest countries are the Fiji Islands to the southwest (280 km from Futuna) and the Samoa Islands to the east (370 km from Wallis). The Territory comprises three main islands, with a distance of 230 km separating Wallis from Futuna – Alofi.
Wallis is a low altitude volcanic island of 77 square kilometres, gently undulating and surrounded by a lagoon. The principal town of the Territory is Mata’Utu. Wallis has an international airport.
Futuna and Alofi (which has just one inhabitant!), are high altitude volcanic islands, with a surface area of 64 km², and have no lagoon; the highest point is Mont Puke, which rises to 524 m. Futuna is made up of two kingdoms: Alo, where the airport is located, and Sigave, where the port and harbour are located.
Presenting Wallis & Futuna
Wallis & Futuna is a French Overseas Collectivity located over 16,000 kilometres from France, in the heart of the Pacific Ocean. Unspoiled by mass tourism, Wallis & Futuna is blessed with outstanding attractions for tourists.
The islands of Wallis, on one hand, and Futuna and Alofi, on the other, form part of the “Polynesian triangle” and are steeped in Polynesian cultural traditions. They are about 300 km from Fiji and Samoa, 2,100 km from New Caledonia and 2,800 km from Tahiti.
The Territory has a current population of 11,562 inhabitants, two thirds of whom live in Wallis and one third in Futuna.
Wallis & Futuna is a resolutely distinctive overseas territory which has never been colonised, but decided to become part of the French Republic whilst maintaining its 3 kingdoms. Thus, the Wallisians and Futunans have harmonised French culture with the ancient traditions they share with the peoples of the Pacific Region.
Climate
The islands have a tropical marine climate, warm and humid, with no dry season. Minimum and maximum temperatures hover between 22°C and 32°C throughout the year. Annual rainfall is more than 3,000 mm. The tropical cyclone risk is low to moderate.
