Wallis and Futuna

 

Overseas Community of France in the South Pacific. The islands include the territory of Uvea, Futuna, Alofi, as well as many small islands.

 

 

Language.

French

 

Time.

9 hours is the time difference between Moscow (Russia) and Mata Utu (Wallis and Futuna).

 

 

Population.

13,445 persons (2008)

Ethnic composition: Wallistans and Futunans (indigenous population) - 85% of the population, about 2% - immigrants from Vanuatu, the other inhabitants - French.

 

 

Religion.

99% of the population is Catholic, the rest are adherents of popular beliefs.

 

Climate.

Subequatorial oceanic. The air temperature of +26 ° C is maintained almost all year round, and in the rainy season rises to +28-32 ° C. Precipitation: 1500 - 2000 mm (Wallis) and 4000 mm (Futuna).

The rainy season lasts from November to April, in the same period come storms with squally winds.

 

 

Currency.

French Pacific franc.

 

Visa regime.

 

 

Customs regulations.

It is possible to import and export national and foreign currency without restrictions.

It is forbidden to smuggle drugs, ammunition, counterfeit products, artificial pearls. Baggage taken from Fiji and Samoa must be disinfected by the Phytosanitary Police for about two hours.

 

Resorts.

Tourism activities on the islands are underdeveloped due to their remoteness and lack of investment; only 6 hotels with 140 beds operate.

However, the islands have something to offer their guests: unusual lakes in the craters of volcanoes, tropical forests and endless beaches.

 

 

Kitchen.

The main products on the table of the islanders: colocasia, sweet potato, bananas, coconut, rice and millet. The festive table usually serves dishes of pork and chicken. "Umu" - a special popular Polynesian method of cooking meat and fish in earthen ovens

Desserts: fruits, baked pumpkin, cakes and cakes.

Drinks: cooling "nui" (juice of green coconut), kava from yangon root. Alcohol: Beer and wine from Australia and New Zealand.

 

 

Traditions.

The main branch of the economy is agriculture (pig and poultry farming), local residents are engaged in fishing on traditional canoes, which were used by their distant ancestors. Traditional crafts: making shell necklaces, wooden sculptures, weaving mats.

The influence of the church on the life of the islanders is very great: the whole cultural life of the state goes around it, the Sunday Catholic Mass becomes the main event of the week. Priests are informal community leaders, and nuns are engaged in teaching and healing. Some uninhabited islands also have churches.

The visiting card of the islands is the ceremony of cooking and drinking cava - the national drink with a mandatory snack "tapa".

Polynesians are friendly and friendly people who welcome guests, but none of them lose their self-esteem, and do not run after travelers with requests to buy something or borrow money.

There is a complex social and clan hierarchy on the islands. Wallis retains the features of the tribal system, at the head of society is a leader or king. The basis of relationships is respect for elders and mutual assistance, regardless of gender and social status of people.

The women on the islands wear pareos, the men wear their own version. For tourists, there are no restrictions on the choice and wearing of clothes, just it is not recommended to go in bathing suits anywhere other than the beaches.

 

Photo: wikiway