Uvea (Wallis and Futuna)

For the island constituting the Chiefdom of Uvea, see Wallis (island).
Uvea
ʻUvea
Chiefdom

Flag

Wallis island (Chiefdom of Uvea) showing the 3 districts
Coordinates: 13°17′S 176°12′W / 13.283°S 176.200°W / -13.283; -176.200Coordinates: 13°17′S 176°12′W / 13.283°S 176.200°W / -13.283; -176.200
Country  France
Territory  Wallis and Futuna
Island Wallis
Capital Mata-Utu
Area
 • Total 159 km2 (61 sq mi)
Population (2013 census)
 • Total 8,584
 • Density 54/km2 (140/sq mi)
Time zone UTC+12
No. of districts 3
No. of municipalities 21
Map of Wallis island

ʻUvea (Wallisian: ʻUvea, French: Royaume coutumiers de Uvea) is one of the three official chiefdoms (Royaume coutumiers) of the French territory of Wallis and Futuna (the other two being Sigave and Alo) in Oceania in the South Pacific Ocean.

Geography

Overview

ʻUvea encompasses the whole of Wallis and the surrounding islets. The total area of the kingdom is 96 square kilometres (37 sq mi) with a population of 10,731 spread over three districts. The capital city and largest village is Matāʻutu, situated on the east coast with a population of 1,100.

Administrative division

The chiefdom counts 3 districts and 21 municipalities:[1]

Districts
District Population
(Census 2013)
Hihifo 2,009
Hahake 3,529
Mu'a 3,046
Municipal villages
Village Population District
Alele839Hihifo
Vaitupu607Hihifo
Mala'e498Hihifo
Vailala446Hihifo
Tufu'one237Hihifo
Mata'utu1,266Hahake
Liku688Hahake
Falaleu650Hahake
Aka'aka538Hahake
Ahoa464Hahake
Ha'afuasia419Hahake
Utufua736Mua
Halalo637Mua
Vaimalau529Mua
Lavegahau379Mua
Te'esi284Mua
Mala'efo'ou279Mua
Gahi271Mua
Tepa246Mua
Ha'atofo239Mua
Kolopopo176Mua
Other villages[2]
Village Population District
Alofivai437Hahake
Fineveke?Mua

History

Talietumu archaeological site
Uvean flag between 1860 and 1896

ʻUvea has probably been inhabited by Polynesians since the 15th century CE and was then part of the Tuʻi Tonga Empire. The two archaeological sites of Talietumu and Tonga Toto are remains from that period.

The kingdom of ʻUvea was founded sometimes in the 15th century and the monarch was titled Tuʻi ʻUvea (king).[3]

April 5, 1887 the island became a French protectorate after queen Amelia Tokagahahau Aliki signed a treaty with France but keeping her royal powers.

In 1888 Sigave and Alo also signed the treaty with France thus creating the "Wallis and Futuna Islands Protectorate".

In 1961 the status was upgraded to being a French overseas territory (territoire d'outre-mer) and in 2003 Wallis and Futuna became a French overseas collectivity (collectivité d'outre-mer), but the local royal powers continue.

See also

References

  1. ↑ Municipal population of the villages in Wallis and Futuna (INSEE 2008, complete list)
  2. ↑ without municipal status
  3. ↑ Worldstatesmen.org - access date: 2010-10-30
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