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Uvea (Wallis and Futuna)

Coordinates: 13°17′S 176°12′W / 13.283°S 176.200°W / -13.283; -176.200
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Uvea
ʻUvea
Chiefdom
Official seal of Uvea
Wallis island (Chiefdom of Uvea) showing the 3 districts
Wallis island (Chiefdom of Uvea) showing the 3 districts
Coordinates: 13°17′S 176°12′W / 13.283°S 176.200°W / -13.283; -176.200
Country France
Territory Wallis and Futuna
IslandWallis
CapitalMata Utu
Area
 • Total
159 km2 (61 sq mi)
Population
 (2018 census)
 • Total
8,333
 • Density52/km2 (140/sq mi)
Time zoneUTC+12
No. of districts3
No. of municipalities21
Map of Wallis island

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

Geography

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Overview

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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 8,333 spread over three districts. The capital and largest village is Mata Utu, situated on the east coast with a population of 1,029.

Administrative division

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

Districts
District Population
(Census 2018)
Hihifo 1,942
Hahake 3,415
Mu'a 2,976
Municipal villages
Village Population District
Alele 524 Hihifo
Vaitupu 406 Hihifo
Mala'e 504 Hihifo
Vailala 341 Hihifo
Tufu'one 167 Hihifo
Mata Utu 1,029 Hahake
Liku 605 Hahake
Falaleu 572 Hahake
Aka'aka 474 Hahake
Ahoa 436 Hahake
Ha'afuasia 299 Hahake
Utufua 602 Mua
Halalo 471 Mua
Vaimalau 371 Mua
Lavegahau 330 Mua
Te'esi 216 Mua
Mala'efo'ou 171 Mua
Gahi 249 Mua
Tepa 270 Mua
Ha'atofo 197 Mua
Kolopopo 99 Mua
Other villages[2]
Village Population District
Alofivai 437 Hahake
Fineveke ? Mua

History

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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

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References

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  1. ^ "Population municipale des villages des îles Wallis et Futuna (recensement 2018)". INSEE. Retrieved 21 February 2020.
  2. ^ without municipal status
  3. ^ Worldstatesmen.org - access date: 2010-10-30
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