Wallis (
Wallisian
Wallisian, or Uvean ( wls, Fakauvea, links=no), is the Polynesian language spoken on Wallis (island), Wallis Island (also known as Uvea). The language is also known as East Uvean to distinguish it from the related West Uvean language spoken on t ...
: ''Uvea'') is a Polynesian
atoll
An atoll () is a ring-shaped island, including a coral rim that encircles a lagoon partially or completely. There may be coral islands or cays on the rim. Atolls are located in warm tropical or subtropical oceans and seas where corals can gr ...
/
island
An island (or isle) is an isolated piece of habitat that is surrounded by a dramatically different habitat, such as water. Very small islands such as emergent land features on atolls can be called islets, skerries, cays or keys. An island ...
in the
Pacific Ocean
The Pacific Ocean is the largest and deepest of Earth's five oceanic divisions. It extends from the Arctic Ocean in the north to the Southern Ocean (or, depending on definition, to Antarctica) in the south, and is bounded by the continen ...
belonging to the
French overseas collectivity
The French overseas collectivities (''collectivité d'outre-mer'' or ''COM'') are first-order administrative divisions of France, like the French regions, but have a semi-autonomous status. The COMs include some former French overseas colonie ...
(''
collectivité d'outre-mer
The French overseas collectivities (''collectivité d'outre-mer'' or ''COM'') are first-order administrative divisions of France, like the French regions, but have a semi-autonomous status. The COMs include some former French overseas colonie ...
'', or ''COM'') of
Wallis and Futuna
Wallis and Futuna, officially the Territory of the Wallis and Futuna Islands (; french: Wallis-et-Futuna or ', Fakauvea and Fakafutuna: '), is a French island collectivity in the South Pacific, situated between Tuvalu to the northwest, Fiji ...
. It lies north of
Tonga
Tonga (, ; ), officially the Kingdom of Tonga ( to, Puleʻanga Fakatuʻi ʻo Tonga), is a Polynesian country and archipelago. The country has 171 islands – of which 45 are inhabited. Its total surface area is about , scattered over in ...
, northeast of
Fiji
Fiji ( , ,; fj, Viti, ; Fiji Hindi: फ़िजी, ''Fijī''), officially the Republic of Fiji, is an island country in Melanesia, part of Oceania in the South Pacific Ocean. It lies about north-northeast of New Zealand. Fiji consists ...
, east-northeast of the
Hoorn Islands
The Hoorn Islands (also Futuna Islands) are one of the two island groups of which the French overseas collectivity (''collectivité d'outre-mer'', or ''COM'') of Wallis and Futuna is geographically composed. The aggregate area is 115 km², an ...
, east of Fiji's
Rotuma
Rotuma is a Fijian dependency, consisting of Rotuma Island and nearby islets. The island group is home to a large and unique Polynesian indigenous ethnic group which constitutes a recognisable minority within the population of Fiji, known as " ...
, southeast of
Tuvalu
Tuvalu ( or ; formerly known as the Ellice Islands) is an island country and microstate in the Polynesian subregion of Oceania in the Pacific Ocean. Its islands are situated about midway between Hawaii and Australia. They lie east-northeast ...
,
southwest
The points of the compass are a set of horizontal, radially arrayed compass directions (or azimuths) used in navigation and cartography. A compass rose is primarily composed of four cardinal directions—north, east, south, and west—each sepa ...
of
Tokelau
Tokelau (; ; known previously as the Union Islands, and, until 1976, known officially as the Tokelau Islands) is a dependent territory of New Zealand in the southern Pacific Ocean. It consists of three tropical coral atolls: Atafu, Nukunonu, a ...
and west of
Samoa
Samoa, officially the Independent State of Samoa; sm, Sāmoa, and until 1997 known as Western Samoa, is a Polynesian island country consisting of two main islands (Savai'i and Upolu); two smaller, inhabited islands (Manono Island, Manono an ...
. Its area is almost with 8,333 people. Its capital is
Mata Utu
Mata Utu (; ʻUvean: Matāutu, ) is the capital city of Wallis and Futuna, an overseas collectivity of France. It is located on the island of Uvéa (Uvea), in the district of Hahake, of which it is also the capital. It is one of two ports in Wa ...
.
Roman Catholicism
The Catholic Church, also known as the Roman Catholic Church, is the List of Christian denominations by number of members, largest Christian church, with 1.3 billion baptized Catholics Catholic Church by country, worldwide . It is am ...
is the predominant
religion
Religion is usually defined as a social- cultural system of designated behaviors and practices, morals, beliefs, worldviews, texts, sanctified places, prophecies, ethics, or organizations, that generally relates humanity to supernatural, ...
. Its highest point is
Mount Lulu Fakahega (). Wallis is of volcanic origin with fertile soil and some remaining lakes. Rainfall is plentiful.
It was part of the
Tongan maritime empire from around the 13th to 16th century. By that time the influence of the
Tui Tonga
Tui or TUI may refer to:
Places
* Tui, Pontevedra, Spain
* Tui, Iran, West Azerbaijan Province, Iran
* Tui, North Khorasan, North Khorasan Province, Iran
* Tui Province, Burkina Faso
* Tuis District, Costa Rica
* Tui railway station, New Zealand ...
had declined so much that Uvea became important in itself. The big fortress of
Talietumu
Talietumu or Kolo Nui is an archaeological site in Wallis and Futuna in the southwestern part of the Pacific Ocean.
Site
Talietumu is situated about southwest of the capital of ''Mata-Utu'' and northeast of Halalo in the Mu'a district on Walli ...
close to
Lotoalahi in
Mua was the last holdout of the Tongans until they were defeated. The island was renamed "Wallis" after a
Cornish navigator, Captain
Samuel Wallis
Samuel Wallis (23 April 1728 – 21 January 1795 in London) was a British naval officer and explorer of the Pacific Ocean. He made the first recorded visit by a European navigator to Tahiti.
Biography
Wallis was born at Fenteroon Farm, n ...
, who saw it while sailing aboard on 16 August 1767. On 5 April 1842, the authorities of Wallis Island requested protection by France with a protectorate treaty signed in April 1887. After a
referendum
A referendum (plural: referendums or less commonly referenda) is a direct vote by the electorate on a proposal, law, or political issue. This is in contrast to an issue being voted on by a representative. This may result in the adoption of a ...
in 1959, Wallis became a French Overseas Territory in 1961.
Geography
The island has an area of and a circumference of c. . Its highest point is Mount Lulu Fakahega, which rises . There are also a few large lakes such as
Lake Lalolalo
Lake Lalolalo (french: Lac Lalolalo) is a volcanic crater lake surrounded by jungle to the southwest of the island of Wallis (Uvea) in the Pacific. The largest lake on the island, it lies off Route 1 between the coastal village of Mala'etoli and ...
. These
crater lake
Crater Lake (Klamath language, Klamath: ''Giiwas'') is a volcanic crater lake in south-central Oregon in the western United States. It is the main feature of Crater Lake National Park and is famous for its deep blue color and water clarity. The ...
s attest to the island's volcanic origin. Some of the lakes, such as Lalolalo and Lanu'tavake appear as almost perfect circles with straight vertical walls.
Wallis Island is located northeast of
Futuna and
Alofi
Alofi is the capital of the Pacific Ocean island nation of Niue. With a population of 597 in 2017, Alofi has the distinction of being the second smallest national capital city in terms of population (after Ngerulmud, capital of Palau). It consi ...
islands which form the
Hoorn archipelago. Together with some 15 smaller islands surrounding it, on its huge
barrier reef
A coral reef is an underwater ecosystem characterized by reef-building corals. Reefs are formed of colonies of coral polyps held together by calcium carbonate. Most coral reefs are built from stony corals, whose polyps cluster in groups.
Co ...
, it forms the Wallis archipelago. Wallis has a fertile volcanic soil and sufficient rainfall to allow subsistence farming.
Wallis is subdivided into three districts (north to south):
*
Hihifo
Hihifo is the main village on the island of Niuatoputapu in the Kingdom of Tonga. Hihifo (which means 'west' in the Tongan language) is situated on the west side of Niuatoputapu and is the main centre for public and government facilities that se ...
: 5 villages: Vailala, Tufuone, Vaitupu, Malae, and Alele
*
Hahake
Hakake ( Uvean for "East") is one of the 5 districts of Wallis and Futuna, located in Wallis Island, in the Pacific Ocean. It is part of the Chiefdom of Uvea.
Geography
Located in the middle of the island, Hahake borders with the districts of Hih ...
: 6 villages: Liku, Aka'aka, Mata Utu, Ahoa, Falaleu, and Ha'afuasia
*
Mu'a
Mua may refer to:
*Mu'a (Tongatapu), the ancient capital of Tonga
*Mu'a, a village on Niuafoou, Tonga
*Mu'a, a village on Eua, Tonga, founded by people from Niuafoou
*Mua District
Mua (also spelled Mu'a, Uvean for "first") is one of the 5 dist ...
: 10 villages: Lavegahau, Tepa, Gahi, Ha’atofo, Mala’efo’ou, Kolopo, Halalo, Utufua, Vaimalau, and Teesi
Sub-equatorial oceanic trade winds make the island hot and humid. The average temperature is around all year round and there is almost never drops below , and in the rainy season is held in the mark .
Rainfall is per year, up to in Wallis and Futuna. This rain is likely at least 260 days in a year, and the humidity is 80%. The rainy season lasts from November to April. The same period (November to March), the season of storms, is associated with the passage over the territory of the islands of powerful
tropical cyclone
A tropical cyclone is a rapidly rotating storm system characterized by a low-pressure center, a closed low-level atmospheric circulation, strong winds, and a spiral arrangement of thunderstorms that produce heavy rain and squalls. Depend ...
s. It is followed, in May to October–December, by a cooler and drier season because of the predominance in this period of the southeast
trade winds
The trade winds or easterlies are the permanent east-to-west prevailing winds that flow in the Earth's equatorial region. The trade winds blow mainly from the northeast in the Northern Hemisphere and from the southeast in the Southern Hemisph ...
.
Climate
Climate data of Wallis Island
Wallis (Hihifo District) has a
tropical rainforest climate
A tropical rainforest climate, humid tropical climate or equatorial climate is a tropical climate sub-type usually found within 10 to 15 degrees latitude of the equator. There are some other areas at higher latitudes, such as the coast of southea ...
(
Köppen climate classification
The Köppen climate classification is one of the most widely used climate classification systems. It was first published by German-Russian climatologist Wladimir Köppen (1846–1940) in 1884, with several later modifications by Köppen, notabl ...
''Af''). The average annual temperature in Hihifo is . The average annual rainfall is with January as the wettest month. The temperatures are highest on average in April, at around , and lowest in July, at around . The highest temperature ever recorded in Hihifo was on 29 April 2004; the coldest temperature ever recorded was on 14 July 2014.
Climate crisis
Whilst Wallis is not in danger of complete submersion due to the
rising sea-levels, the majority of the population live in coastal settlements, which will be affected.
History
Archaeological excavations have identified sites on Wallis dating from circa 1400 AD. It was part of the
Tongan maritime empire from around the 13th to 16th century. By that time the influence of the
Tui Tonga
Tui or TUI may refer to:
Places
* Tui, Pontevedra, Spain
* Tui, Iran, West Azerbaijan Province, Iran
* Tui, North Khorasan, North Khorasan Province, Iran
* Tui Province, Burkina Faso
* Tuis District, Costa Rica
* Tui railway station, New Zealand ...
had declined so much that Uvea became important in itself. Several current, high-ranking Tongan titles, like
Halaevalu, trace their descent from Uvea. A legendary large
canoe
A canoe is a lightweight narrow water vessel, typically pointed at both ends and open on top, propelled by one or more seated or kneeling paddlers facing the direction of travel and using a single-bladed paddle.
In British English, the term ...
, the
Lomipeau, was built on the island as a donation to the Tui Tonga. The big fortress of
Talietumu
Talietumu or Kolo Nui is an archaeological site in Wallis and Futuna in the southwestern part of the Pacific Ocean.
Site
Talietumu is situated about southwest of the capital of ''Mata-Utu'' and northeast of Halalo in the Mu'a district on Walli ...
close to
Lotoalahi in
Mua was the last holdout of the Tongans until they were defeated. The ruins of the place are still a tourist attraction.
The island was renamed "Wallis" after a
Cornish navigator, Captain
Samuel Wallis
Samuel Wallis (23 April 1728 – 21 January 1795 in London) was a British naval officer and explorer of the Pacific Ocean. He made the first recorded visit by a European navigator to Tahiti.
Biography
Wallis was born at Fenteroon Farm, n ...
, who saw it while sailing aboard on 16 August 1767, following his discovery of
Tahiti
Tahiti (; Tahitian ; ; previously also known as Otaheite) is the largest island of the Windward group of the Society Islands in French Polynesia. It is located in the central part of the Pacific Ocean and the nearest major landmass is Austr ...
.
In 1835, Uvea was attacked by a party of armed missionaries from
Tonga
Tonga (, ; ), officially the Kingdom of Tonga ( to, Puleʻanga Fakatuʻi ʻo Tonga), is a Polynesian country and archipelago. The country has 171 islands – of which 45 are inhabited. Its total surface area is about , scattered over in ...
, who attempted to convert the island to Protestantism by force.
In October 1837,
Jean-Baptiste Pompallier
Jean-Baptiste François Pompallier (11 December 1801 – 21 December 1871) was the first Roman Catholic bishop in New Zealand and, with priests and brothers of the Marist order, he organised the Roman Catholic Church throughout the country. H ...
visited, and after negotiations with Lavelua, left a priest and a brother behind, ostensibly to learn the language and establish friendly relations.
[ Four years later they reported that Wallis was a Catholic community.][ On 5 April 1842, the authorities of Wallis Island requested protection by France. A protectorate treaty was signed in April 1887.
During World War II the island's administration was pro-]Vichy
Vichy (, ; ; oc, Vichèi, link=no, ) is a city in the Allier Departments of France, department in the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region of central France, in the historic province of Bourbonnais.
It is a Spa town, spa and resort town and in World ...
until a Free French corvette
A corvette is a small warship. It is traditionally the smallest class of vessel considered to be a proper (or " rated") warship. The warship class above the corvette is that of the frigate, while the class below was historically that of the slo ...
from New Caledonia
)
, anthem = ""
, image_map = New Caledonia on the globe (small islands magnified) (Polynesia centered).svg
, map_alt = Location of New Caledonia
, map_caption = Location of New Caledonia
, mapsize = 290px
, subdivision_type = Sovereign st ...
deposed the regime on 26 May 1942. Units of the US Marine Corps
The United States Marine Corps (USMC), also referred to as the United States Marines, is the maritime land force service branch of the United States Armed Forces responsible for conducting expeditionary and amphibious operations through combi ...
landed on Wallis on 29 May 1942.
After a referendum
A referendum (plural: referendums or less commonly referenda) is a direct vote by the electorate on a proposal, law, or political issue. This is in contrast to an issue being voted on by a representative. This may result in the adoption of a ...
in 1959, Wallis became a French Overseas Territory in 1961.
Demographics
The population of the island was 8,333 in 2018 (72% of the territory's population). Most of the inhabitants speak Uvean (or Wallisian) as their mother tongue.
Culture and religion
Religion ("Lotu") and culture ("Aga'ifenua") are very close in Wallis. Everyday life is heavily influenced by Polynesia
Polynesia () "many" and νῆσος () "island"), to, Polinisia; mi, Porinihia; haw, Polenekia; fj, Polinisia; sm, Polenisia; rar, Porinetia; ty, Pōrīnetia; tvl, Polenisia; tkl, Polenihia (, ) is a subregion of Oceania, made up of ...
n traditions and especially by the Roman Catholic
Roman or Romans most often refers to:
*Rome, the capital city of Italy
*Ancient Rome, Roman civilization from 8th century BC to 5th century AD
*Roman people, the people of ancient Rome
*'' Epistle to the Romans'', shortened to ''Romans'', a lette ...
feasts. Each village has its own patron saint. Each district has its great church. The chief cathedral is the Cathedral of Mata Utu. Almost all the people are Roman Catholic
Roman or Romans most often refers to:
*Rome, the capital city of Italy
*Ancient Rome, Roman civilization from 8th century BC to 5th century AD
*Roman people, the people of ancient Rome
*'' Epistle to the Romans'', shortened to ''Romans'', a lette ...
("Lotu Katolika"), and there are numerous religious buildings on the island.
At their arrival, Catholic missionaries were welcomed by the King Vaimua Lavelua then baptized "Soane-Patita Vaimua". Bishop Bataillon developed close relationships with the royal families. As Private Councillor of Queen Amelia, he established in 1847 the Lano Seminary (the first Catholic seminary of Oceania).
Lano celebrated 150 years in 1997. The anniversary was attended by Samoan Cardinal Pio Taofinu'u, who studied there in the 1940s, and a big delegation from Tonga, Samoa, Fiji and New-Caledonia.
Wallis and Futuna was established as an apostolic vicariate on 11 November 1935 and promoted to a diocese
In Ecclesiastical polity, church governance, a diocese or bishopric is the ecclesiastical district under the jurisdiction of a bishop.
History
In the later organization of the Roman Empire, the increasingly subdivided Roman province, pro ...
on 21 June 1966.
Transportation
The only commercial flights to Wallis are operated by the New Caledonia
)
, anthem = ""
, image_map = New Caledonia on the globe (small islands magnified) (Polynesia centered).svg
, map_alt = Location of New Caledonia
, map_caption = Location of New Caledonia
, mapsize = 290px
, subdivision_type = Sovereign st ...
-based Aircalin
Société Aircalin, also known as Air Calédonie International, is the flag carrier of the French collectivity of New Caledonia, with its headquarters in Nouméa. It operates scheduled services from its main base at La Tontouta International A ...
. There is an Aircalin office in Mata Utu in Hahake
Hakake ( Uvean for "East") is one of the 5 districts of Wallis and Futuna, located in Wallis Island, in the Pacific Ocean. It is part of the Chiefdom of Uvea.
Geography
Located in the middle of the island, Hahake borders with the districts of Hih ...
.
Education
The island has 12 primary schools,[LIVRET D'ACCUEIL Wallis et Futuna]
" Wallis and Futuna. p. 22 (22/28). Retrieved on September 14, 2016. four junior high schools, and one senior high school/sixth-form college.
" Wallis and Futuna. June 24, 2016. Retrieved on September 14, 2016.
*Junior high schools (''collèges'') in Wallis: Mataotama de Malae, Alofivai de Lano, Vaimoana de Lavegahau, and Tinemui de Teesi
*The senior high school/sixth-form college is Lycée d'Etat de Wallis et Futuna on Wallis
Museums
Uvea Museum Association
Uvea Museum Association is a private museum on the island of Wallis, in the French overseas territory of Wallis and Futuna. Located in the Mata Utu shopping centre, it is arranged thematically,Bernard Klein, La lettre d'Histoire-Géographie' Oct ...
is a private museum in Mata Utu which records the history of the Second World War on the island.
Notable people
* Ilaïsaane Lauouvéa
Ilaïsaane Lauouvéa (born 1970) is a New Caledonian politician, who from 2009 to 2014 was an elected member of the Congress of New Caledonia representing the Kanak and Socialist National Liberation Front.
Education
Lauouvéa was born in 197 ...
- politician in New Caledonia
See also
* Hihifo Airport
Hihifo Airport is an airport in Hihifo on Wallis Island in Wallis and Futuna. The airport is 5.6 km from Mata-Utu, the capital city. It was constructed by Seabees in March 1942 as a bomber field. It was upgraded in 1964.
In 2015 the airport ...
* Samoa hotspot
The Samoa hotspot is a volcanic hotspot located in the south Pacific Ocean.
The hotspot model describes a hot upwelling plume of magma through the Earth's crust as an explanation of how volcanic islands are formed. The hotspot idea came from ...
References
Bibliography
* E.G. Burrows, ''Ethnology of Uvea'', BPB 1937.
*
*
Volume I
External links
* ttp://www.angelfire.com/poetry/bopeep/Wallispics.html Pictures of Wallis
Flag of `Ueva chiefdom
Wallis Wordlist at the Austronesian Basic Vocabulary Database
{{coord, 13, 16, S, 176, 12, W, region:WF_type:isle, display=title
Islands of Wallis and Futuna
Volcanoes of the Pacific Ocean
Island countries
Volcanic crater lakes
Former protectorates