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WALLIS AND FUTUNA ISLANDS

Uvea is the Polynesian name for Wallis Island, situated 340km east of Samoa and 3,000km north west of Tahiti.

The centre of Wallis Island is semi-desert with pandanus trees. There are no venomous creatures. The island is encircled by a lagoon some 50 kilometres by 95 square kilometres and seafood and fish are plentiful.

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Early 1842 map of Uvea by Andrew Cheyne

On Futuna, there are beautiful beaches on the east coast and volcanoes in the centre, the biggest being Mt. Puke which reaches 760 metres into the sky with vegetation growing up each side.

~ Early image of Wallis Island group ~
Courtesy: Pascal

 
Left: Futuna tapa
Right: Impressionistic postcard depicting arrival of the missionaries
Traditional kava ceremony, Futuna
Futuna fale (house)
The above eight historically significant postcards have kindly been provided courtesy of Pascal.
I would like to take this opportunity to offer my sincere gratitude to Pascal for his important and
continual contribution to this and other Pacific Island Web sites.
 
The first of these postcards depicts the occasion of the annexation of Wallis Island.
The second is an early image of an Uvea (Wallis) village while the third shows a Catholic Sister
painting a beautiful siapo (tapa) of Futuna with three Futunan girls.

Uvea was uninhabited until the late 13th century when Tongan navigators landed. In 1942, both islands became part of the French colony and in 1958 the people chose to become an Overseas French Territory. Today the main language is French. The population which is mostly of Polynesian descent, is 9,708 on Wallis, and on Futuna 4,639 (1996).

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A Futuna dwelling taken from a French postcard

There is no public transport or taxis on either island. Rental cars are available from Imidisser Garage and Dinh Francois.

Early postcard of Wallis, courtesy of Pascal

On Futuna, you can visit the sanctuary of St. Pierre Chanel or take a trip to the uninhabited sister island of Alofi.

On Wallis, visit the King's Palace and Cathedral, or Lalolalo, Kikila and Lanutavake Lakes and see the spectacular scenery. Visit Gahi Bay where the Americans landed and take a ride to motus where there are beautiful beaches.

For More Information Contact:

WALLIS VOYAGES

B.P. 87 Mata-uhu
WALLIS AND FUTUNA
Facsimile: +681 722718
 
Oceania Postcards and Picture Galleries
 
click here 
Jane's Oceania Home Page

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 (E-mail: jane@janeresture.com -- Rev. 3rd April 2005)

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