Wallis and Futuna Geography 1997

Location Oceania, islands in the South Pacific Ocean, about two-thirds of theway from Hawaii to New Zealand

Geographic coordinates 13 18 S, 176 12 W

Map references Oceania

Area
total: 274 sq km
land: 274 sq km
water: 0 sq km
note: includes Ile Uvea (Wallis Island), Ile Futuna (Futuna Island), Ile Alofi,and 20 islets

Area - comparative 1.5 times the size of Washington, DC

Land boundaries 0 km

Coastline 129 km

Maritime claims
exclusive economic zone : 200 nm
territorial sea: 12 nm

Climate tropical; hot, rainy season (November to April); cool, dry season (Mayto October); rains 2,500-3,000 mm per year (80% humidity); average temperature26.6 degrees C

Terrain volcanic origin; low hills

Elevation extremes
lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m
highest point : Mount Singavi 765 m

Natural resources NEGL

Land use
arable land : 5%
permanent crops: 20%
permanent pastures: NA%
forests and woodland: NA%
other: 75% (1993 est.)

Irrigated land NA sq km

Natural hazards NA

Environment - current issues deforestation (only small portions of the original forests remain) largelyas a result of the continued use of wood as the main fuel source; as a consequenceof cutting down the forests, the mountainous terrain of Futuna is particularlyprone to erosion; there are no permanent settlements on Alofi because of thelack of natural fresh water resources

Environment - international agreements
party to: NA
signed, but not ratified : NA

Geography - note both island groups have fringing reefs

NOTE: The information regarding Wallis and Futuna on this page is re-published from the 1997 World Fact Book of the United States Central Intelligence Agency. No claims are made regarding the accuracy of Wallis and Futuna Geography 1997 information contained here. All suggestions for corrections of any errors about Wallis and Futuna Geography 1997 should be addressed to the CIA.