GEOGRAPHY
Location:
Oceania, islands in the South Pacific Ocean, about two-thirds
of the way from Hawaii to New Zealand
Geographic coordinates: 13 18 S, 176 12 W
Map references: Oceania
Area:
total area: 274 sq km
land area: 274 sq km
comparative area: slightly larger than Washington, DC
note: includes Ile Uvea (Wallis Island), Ile Futuna (Futuna
Island), Ile Alofi, and 20 islets
Land boundaries: 0 km
Coastline: 129 km
Maritime claims:
exclusive economic zone: 200 nm
territorial sea: 12 nm
International disputes: none
Climate: tropical; hot, rainy season (November to April);
cool, dry season (May to October); rains 2,500-3,000 mm per year
(80% humidity); average temperature 26.6 degrees C
Terrain: volcanic origin; low hills
lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m
highest point: Mount Singavi 765 m
Natural resources: NEGL
Land use:
arable land: 5%
permanent crops: 20%
meadows and pastures: 0%
forest and woodland: 0%
other: 75%
Irrigated land: NA sq km
Environment:
current issues: deforestation (only small portions of the
original forests remain) largely as a result of the continued
use of wood as the main fuel source; as a consequence of cutting
down the forests, the mountainous terrain of Futuna is particularly
prone to erosion; there are no permanent settlements on Alofi
because of the lack of natural fresh water resources
natural hazards: NA
international agreements: NA
Geographic note: both island groups have fringing reefs
