Comoros: Background & Geography
| Introduction | Comoros |
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Background:
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Unstable Comoros has endured 19 coups or attempted coups since gaining independence from France in 1975. In 1997, the islands of Anjouan and Moheli declared their independence from Comoros. In 1999, military chief Col. AZALI seized power. He pledged to resolve the secessionist crisis through a confederal arrangement named the 2000 Fomboni Accord. In December 2001, voters approved a new constitution and presidential elections took place in the spring of 2002. Each island in the archipelago elected its own president and a new union president was sworn in on 26 May 2002. |
| Geography | Comoros |
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Location:
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Southern Africa, group of islands at the northern mouth of the Mozambique Channel, about two-thirds of the way between northern Madagascar and northern Mozambique |
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Geographic coordinates:
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12 10 S, 44 15 E |
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Map references:
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Africa |
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Area:
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total: 2,170 sq km
water: 0 sq km land: 2,170 sq km |
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Area - comparative:
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slightly more than 12 times the size of Washington, DC |
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Land boundaries:
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0 km |
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Coastline:
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340 km |
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Maritime claims - as described in UNCLOS 1982 (see Notes and Definitions):
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territorial sea: 12 NM
exclusive economic zone: 200 NM |
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Climate:
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tropical marine; rainy season (November to May) |
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Terrain:
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volcanic islands, interiors vary from steep mountains to low hills |
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Elevation extremes:
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lowest point: Indian Ocean 0 m
highest point: Le Kartala 2,360 m |
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Natural resources:
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NEGL |
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Land use:
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arable land: 34.98%
permanent crops: 17.94% other: 47.08% (1998 est.) |
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Irrigated land:
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NA sq km |
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Natural hazards:
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cyclones possible during rainy season (December to April); Le Kartala on Grand Comore is an active volcano |
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Environment - current issues:
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soil degradation and erosion results from crop cultivation on slopes without proper terracing; deforestation |
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Environment - international agreements:
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party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands
signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements |
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Geography - note:
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important location at northern end of Mozambique Channel |