Kingdoms of Wallis and Futuna

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Updates: 

A French constitutional reform in 2003 changed the status of Wallis and Futuna from overseas territory to overseas collectivity. I also received a question about the capitals of kingdoms, resulting in an updating of that information.

Country overview: 

Wallis and Futuna Islands have belonged to France throughout the 20th century, and now have the status of an overseas collectivity.

Other names of country: 

1. Dutch: Wallis en Futuna
2. English: Wallis and Futuna Islands, Territory of the Wallis and Futuna Islands (formal)
3. French: Îles fp Wallis et Futuna, Wallis-et-Futuna
4. German: Wallis und Futuna
5. Italian: Wallis e Futuna
6. Norwegian: Wallisøyene og Futunaøyene
7. Portuguese: Wallis e Futuna
8. Spanish: Islas fp Wallis y Futuna, Wallis y Futuna

Origin of name: 

Discovered in 1767 by Captain Samuel Wallis (1728-1795)

Primary subdivisions: 

Wallis and Futuna is divided into three kingdoms.

Note: some sources say that Malae and Leava are alternately called Alo and Sigave, respectively.

Postal codes: 

Wallis and Futuna uses five-digit postal codes beginning with 986, according to the French system.

Further subdivisions:

See the Districts of Wallis and Futuna page.

Uvéa is divided into three districts.

Territorial extent: 

1. Alo consists of the eastern part of Futuna Island and the island of Alofi, which is uninhabited. Futuna and Alofi together are known as the Îles de Horne (Hoorn).
2. Singave consists of the western part of Futuna Island.
3. Uvéa consists of Wallis (Uvéa) Island and adjacent reefs. The country's capital, Mata-Utu, is there.

Change history: 

1961-07-29: Status of country changed from French dependency, administered from New Caledonia, to French territoire d'outre-mer (overseas territory).

2003-03-28: Status changed to French collectivité d'outre-mer (overseas collectivity).

Other names of subdivisions: 

1. Sigave: Singave (variant)
2. Uvéa: Wallis (variant)