Wallis and Futuna Islands
The Wallis and Futuna were settled by Polynesian migrants from Tonga and Samoa respectively c.1400 AD They were visited by the Dutch (Futuna, 1616) and the English (Wallis, 1767), and came under French control in 1842. They became an overseas territory of France in 1961.
The president of France, represented by the High Administrator, is the head of state. The government is headed by the president of the Territorial Assembly, who is elected by the legislature. Members of the 20-seat Territorial Assembly are elected by popular vote for five-year terms. The territory also elects one deputy to the National Assembly and one member of the Senate of France. The three traditional Polynesian kings advise on traditional affairs.
The Columbia Electronic Encyclopedia, 6th ed. Copyright © 2012, Columbia University Press. All rights reserved.
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