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Although discovered by the Dutch and the British in the 17th and 18th centuries, it was the French who declared a protectorate over the islands in 1842. In 1959, the inhabitants of the islands voted to become a French overseas territory.
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Country
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Surface Area: 274 sq km (includes Ile Uvea (Wallis Island), Ile Futuna (Futuna Island), Ile Alofi, and 20 islets)
Population: 15,585 (July 2002 est.)
Located in: Oceania, islands in the South Pacific Ocean
Capital City: Mata-Utu (on Ile Uvea)
Head of State: see France
Prime Minister: President of the Territorial Assembly Patalione KANIMOA
Independent since: overseas territory of France
Currency: Comptoirs Francais du Pacifique franc (XPF)
Flag (image): 
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