The Union of the Comoros is an island nation, located in the Southern Africa in the Indian Ocean, at the northern end of the Mozambique Channel between northern Madagascar and northeastern Mozambique. Mozambique, Tanzania, Madagascar, and the Seychelles form the neighbourhood of the archipelago of Comoros. The archipelago is composed of 4 major islands (Ngazidja, Mwali, Nzwani, and Mahoré) and some smaller islets. Ngazidja is the largest island which comprises the capital and largest city, Moroni (11 42 S, 43 14 E). It is the 3rd smallest African country in terms of area and 6th smallest African country in terms of population. Comoros is a member of African Union, Francophonie, Organisation of the Islamic Conference, Arab League, and Indian Ocean Commission.
HISTORY:- Comoros was earliest inhabited by the Swahili settlers. The travelers from Africa, Madagascar, Indonesia, and Arabia were frequently explored the islands of Comoros. In 1793, Malagasy warriors from Madagascar first ravaged the islands in search of slaves. The islands came in European contact when France occupied Mayotte in 1843. At the end of 1904, the country came under French rule. Mayotte had a Christian majority population. In 1974, 95% of the population voted in a referendum for autonomy with the exception of Mayotte, which did not want to merge with other Islamic islands of the country. The State of the Comoros was declared by the first President of the islands Ahmed Abdallah in 1975. After the removal of Ahmed Abdallah, the country had faced nearly 20 coups. Bob Denard, the leader of Les Affreux, who led four coups took shelter in Comoros. Anjouan Island and Mohéli declared independence from Comoros in 1997 with a failed intention to re-establish French rule. Col. Azali Assoumani came into power in 1997. The country was renamed as the Union of the Comoros. Azali had been forced to organize democratic presidential election in 2002, which he won. In 2006 elections, Ahmed Abdallah Sambi, a Sunni believer was elected President.
GEOGRAPHY:- The archipelago of Comoros is located at 12 10 S, 44 15 E in the Southern Africa in the Indian Ocean. The island nation possesses total 2,170 sq km land area. The archipelago has no internal water source. The lowest point is Indian Ocean (0 m) and the highest point is Le Kartala (2,360 m). The islands are volcanic. The interiors of the archipelago vary from steep mountains to low hills. The coastline is 340 km long along with the Indian Ocean.
CLIMATE:- The climate of the islands is tropical marine. The rainy season persists from November to May.
GOVERNMENT:- Comoros is a republican nation. The constitution was adopted on 23rd December 2001. The legal system is based on the French and Islamic law. The trio branch of the government comprises:
Executive branch consists of the President (chief of state, head of government), cabinet. Council of ministers is appointed by the President.
Legislative branch consists of the unicameral Assembly of the Union (33 seats).
Judicial branch consists of the Supreme Court.
Among 17 political parties, Convention for the Renewal of the Comoros, Camp of the Autonomous Islands, and Front National pour la Justice are prominent. Suffrage is universal at 18.
President Ahmed Abdallah M. Sambi
Executive branch consists of the President (chief of state, head of government), cabinet. Council of ministers is appointed by the President.
Legislative branch consists of the unicameral Assembly of the Union (33 seats).
Judicial branch consists of the Supreme Court.
Among 17 political parties, Convention for the Renewal of the Comoros, Camp of the Autonomous Islands, and Front National pour la Justice are prominent. Suffrage is universal at 18.
President Ahmed Abdallah M. Sambi
ADMINISTRATIVE DIVISIONS:- Comoros is divided into 4 municipalities:
Domoni, Fomboni, Moroni, Mutsamudu.
Domoni, Fomboni, Moroni, Mutsamudu.
CULTURE:- The boys and girls of Comoros have to learn about the Quran. Abou Chihabi, Al Moustoifa Idarousse, Wanamah, Nawal are the notable musicians of the islands. Mohamed Ali M'Ze and Ali Mroivilli are the famous painters.
ECONOMY:- Comoros is among the poorest nations of the world. The economy is handicapped by insufficient transportation joints among the major islands, high growth of the population, unemployment, high illiteracy, unskilled labour force and limited natural resources. Agriculture with fishing, hunting, and forestry are the backbone of the economy, comprising 40% of the GDP, 80% of the labour force. The Banc du Geyser and the Glorioso Islands are proclaimed as the exclusive economic zone by the government.
GDP/PPP: (2002 est.) $441 million; per capita $600.
Real growth rate: 3%.
Inflation: 3% (2005 est.).
Unemployment: 20% (1996 est.).
Arable land: 36%.
Agriculture: vanilla, cloves, perfume essences, copra, coconuts, bananas, cassava (tapioca).
Budget:
Revenues: $27.6 million
Expenditures: $NA (2001 est.)
Revenues: $27.6 million
Expenditures: $NA (2001 est.)
Debt - external: $232 million (2000 est.)
Labor force: 144,500 (1996 est.): agriculture 80%, industry and services 20%.
Industries: tourism, perfume distillation.
Natural resources: n.a.
Exports: $34 million f.o.b. (2004 est.): vanilla, ylang-ylang (perfume essence), cloves, copra.
Imports: $115 million f.o.b. (2004 est.): rice and other foodstuffs, consumer goods, petroleum products, cement, transport equipment.
Major trading partners: U.S., France, Singapore, Turkey, Germany, South Africa, Kenya, UAE, Italy, Pakistan, Mauritius (2004).
Monetary unit: Franc
LANGUAGE:- Arabic and French both are official languages. Shikomoro or Comorian, a blend of Swahili and Arabic is the most common language. Malagasy is also spoken by small population.
CITIES:- Capital Moroni is the largest city. Mutsamudu is a major city.
POPULATION:- The estimated population of the islands is 710,960 with a growth rate of 2.8%. It has one of the highest densities of population in Africa.
Density per sq mi: 849
Literacy rate: 57% (2003 est.)
Density per sq mi: 849
Literacy rate: 57% (2003 est.)
RACE:- Antalote, Cafre, Makoa, Oimatsaha, and Sakalava ethnic groups exist in Comoros.
RELIGION:-
Sunni Muslim 98%
Roman Catholic 2%
Sunni Muslim 98%
Roman Catholic 2%
HEALTH:-
Birth rate: 35.78 births/1,000 population (2008 est.)
Death rate: 7.76 deaths/1,000 population (2008 est.)
Infant mortality rate: total: 68.58 deaths/1,000 live births
Life expectancy at birth: total population: 63.1 years
Total fertility rate: 4.9 children born/woman (2008 est.)
HIV/AIDS - deaths: NA
Total expenditure on health per capita (Intl $, 2005): 32
Birth rate: 35.78 births/1,000 population (2008 est.)
Death rate: 7.76 deaths/1,000 population (2008 est.)
Infant mortality rate: total: 68.58 deaths/1,000 live births
Life expectancy at birth: total population: 63.1 years
Total fertility rate: 4.9 children born/woman (2008 est.)
HIV/AIDS - deaths: NA
Total expenditure on health per capita (Intl $, 2005): 32
UNICEF:- UNICEF widely supports routine vaccination programmes including vitamin A supplementation, de-worming treatments and measles immunization. Government has cut some school fees, while UNICEF provides class-room furniture, trains teachers. Girl’ education projects are undertaken with separate latrines for girls. 27 Community-Based health care units provide treatment for malnutrition among children. To prevent HIV, medical facility has been provided. ‘Cellule d’Ecoute’ centres provide legal and psychosocial support for the violence-affected children. Comoros’ legal age of marriage has been increased by a new Family Code. In 2006, campaigns had been organized to teach the dwellers about healthy hygiene and sanitation. In 2005 volcanic eruptions in the island of Grand Comoro, UNICEF provided safe water to the victims and worked with 100 villages to inform them how to protect themselves in future eruptions.
TRANSPORTATION:-
Railways: 0 km.
Highways: total: 880 km; paved: 673 km; unpaved: 207 km (1999 est.).
Ports and harbors: Mayotte, Moutsamoudou.
Airports: 4 (2004 est.).
Railways: 0 km.
Highways: total: 880 km; paved: 673 km; unpaved: 207 km (1999 est.).
Ports and harbors: Mayotte, Moutsamoudou.
Airports: 4 (2004 est.).
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