The Wallis and Futuna Islands are two groups of volcanic tropical islands in the southwestern Pacific Ocean, between Fiji and the Samoas. While flowers bloom in abundance on Wallis, deforestation has reduced the primary forests to no more than 15% of the total surface area on Wallis and 30% on Futuna. Only Alofi's primary forest has been preserved, since it is uninhabited (70% coverage). The lagoons off Wallis and Alofi abound in multi-colored fish, and one can even spot rays (related to the skate, shark and chimaera), tortoises and dolphins. It should be noted that sharks are rare, and that tortoises are a protected species.
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