Wallis and Futuna

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Wallis and Futuna French territory in the s Pacific Ocean, w of Samoa. It comprises two small groups of volcanic islands: the Wallis Islands and the Hoorn Islands. The principal islands are Uvea, Futuna, and Alofi. Uvea contains 60% of the population and includes the capital of Mata-Utu (2002 est. pop. 1500). Timber is the main export. The French took the islands in 1842, and in 1959 they became an overseas territory. The islands' economy is based on subsistence agriculture of copra, cassava, yams, taro, and bananas. Pop. (2002 est.) 15,000.

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