Do you know which countries have names that start with the letter W? There aren't many, but they definitely exist. Here is the complete list of countries that start with the letter W, as well as some information about each of them.
Countries in W
Wallis and futuna
Wallis and Futuna is a French archipelago located in the Pacific Ocean, approximately 2,600 km northeast of New Zealand. It is made up of three main islands: Wallis (or Uvea), Futuna and Alofi. It has around 11,000 inhabitants, who are mainly Catholic and speak Wallisian or Futunian, two Polynesian languages. Wallis and Futuna is an overseas community with a special status, which gives it broad autonomy. The head of state is the President of the French Republic, represented by a senior administrator. Executive power is exercised by a government council elected by the territorial assembly. Legislative power belongs to the territorial assembly, composed of 20 members elected by universal suffrage. Judicial power lies with the Court of Appeal of Nouméa, New Caledonia. Wallis and Futuna also has three customary kingdoms: Uvea, Sigave and Alo, which each have a king and a council of notables. Wallis and Futuna is known for its cultural and natural heritage, including traditional dances, baroque churches, archaeological sites and lagoons.
Western Samoa
Western Samoa is the official name of the country commonly called Samoa. It is an independent state located in the Pacific Ocean, approximately 3,200 km northeast of Australia. It is made up of two main islands: Upolu and Savai'i, as well as several minor islands. It has around 200,000 inhabitants, who are predominantly Christian and speak Samoan, a Polynesian language. Western Samoa is a parliamentary republic, with the head of state being the tama aiga (paramount chief) Tuimalealiifano Vaaletoa Sualauvi II. Executive power is exercised by a prime minister, elected by the Fono (parliament). Legislative power belongs to the Fono, made up of 51 members elected by universal suffrage. The judiciary falls under the Supreme Court, which is the highest judicial body in the country. Western Samoa is a member of the Commonwealth of Nations, the United Nations, the Pacific Islands Forum and the African, Caribbean and Pacific Group of States. Western Samoa is known for its rich and varied culture, including traditional tattoos, fire dancing, polyphonic singing and water sports.
Glossary
- Archipelago: group of islands close to each other.
- Baroque: artistic style characterized by exuberance, movement and profusion of details.
- Overseas collectivity: legal status attributed to certain French territories located outside the European continent.
- Commonwealth of Nations: intergovernmental organization bringing together 54 independent states with historical ties to the United Kingdom.
- Lagoon: a shallow body of water separated from the sea by a coral reef or a strip of sand.
- Polynesian: relating to Polynesia, a geographical region comprising several archipelagos in the South Pacific.
- Parliamentary republic: political system in which the head of state is elected by parliament or by an electoral college, and the head of government is responsible to parliament.
- Tama aiga: honorary title given to the four noble families of Samoa, who have the right to appoint the head of state.
