WALLIS ISLANDS

French les Wallis, group of 23 islands and islets forming the northeastern part of the French overseas territory of Wallis and Futuna, in the southwestern Pacific Ocean. Composed of the island of Uvea (also called Wallis Island) and its surrounding ring of coral islets, the group has a land area of 23 square miles (60 square km). Visited in 1767 by the British navigator Captain Samuel Wallis, the islands were occupied by the French in 1842. They became a French protectorate in 1887 and became part of the overseas territory following a referendum in 1959. Local administration is through a council headed by the traditional island royal family and a French advisory council. The reef islets are small, low, and relatively unimportant. Uvea, however, is 30 miles (50 km) in circumference and rises to 476 feet (145 m). Its fertile volcanic soil and adequate rainfall support subsistence agriculture. The island has an international airport (Hihifo), a system of motor roads, and port facilities at Mata-Utu, the capital. Many of the islanders have migrated to New Caledonia. Pop. (1990) 8,973.