Wallis and Futuna (officially the territory of the Wallis and Futuna Islands) is a French community located in the Pacific Ocean on three islands northwest of Fiji.
The capital is the city of Matautu (Mata-Utu).
The climate in Wallis and Futuna is tropical, with hot and rainy seasons from November to April, and cool and dry seasons from May to October.
The population is about 11,000 (2021). Due to economic difficulties and political instability on one of the islands, many residents leave for the more developed New Caledonia, where, as citizens of a French overseas territory, they have the right to settle and work.
The official state language is French. The local population also speaks Futuna and Wallisian languages.
The economy of Wallis and Futuna is underdeveloped and dependent on financial assistance from France. The main industries are agriculture (grow coconuts and vegetables), as well as fishing. Part of the money in the country comes from the transfers of people who left for New Caledonia and France to live with their relatives.
The level of medical care and education may be limited due to the small size of this overseas community. Medical care is provided in one of the two hospitals, and there are also several outpatient clinics.
Education consists of 18 elementary schools, 6 middle schools and one high school. Higher education in these territories will not be possible to receive full-time.
Citizenship of Wallis and Futuna can be obtained by a child who was born in these territories and whose parents have either local citizenship or are French citizens. And also, citizenship can be obtained through naturalization after living a certain time in the country.
The main attractions of Wallis and Futuna are the Cathedral of Mata'Utu (Cathedral of the Assumption of Our Lady), the volcanic crater lake Lalolalo and of course the beautiful beaches.
