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°WCoordinates: 13°17′S 176°12′W / 13.283°S 176.200°W

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

No. of municipalities

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 Island and the surrounding islets. The total area of the kingdom is 96 km² with a population of 10,731 spread over three districts. The capital 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
Alele	839	Hihifo
Vaitupu	607	Hihifo
Mala'e	498	Hihifo
Vailala	446	Hihifo
Tufuone	237	Hihifo
Mata'utu	1,266	Hahake
Liku	688	Hahake
Falaleu	650	Hahake
Aka'aka	538	Hahake
Ahoa	464	Hahake
Haafuasia	419	Hahake
Utufua	736	Mua
Halalo	637	Mua
Vaimalau	529	Mua
Lavegahau	379	Mua
Teesi	284	Mua
Malaefoou	279	Mua
Gahi	271	Mua
Tepa	246	Mua
Haatofo	239	Mua
Kolopopo	176	Mua

Other villages^[2]

Village	Population	District
Alofivai	437	Hahake
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 Tu'i 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.