Mayotte: Background & Geography

Introduction Mayotte
Background:
 Mayotte was ceded to France along with the other islands of the Comoros group in 1843. It was the only island in the archipelago that voted in 1974 to retain its link with France and forego independence.
Geography Mayotte
Location:
 Southern Africa, island in the Mozambique Channel, about one-half of the way from northern Madagascar to northern Mozambique
Geographic coordinates:
 12 50 S, 45 10 E
Map references:
 Africa
Area:
 total: 374 sq km
water: 0 sq km
land: 374 sq km
Area - comparative:
 slightly more than twice the size of Washington, DC
Land boundaries:
 0 km
Coastline:
 185.2 km
Maritime claims - as described in UNCLOS 1982 (see Notes and Definitions):
 territorial sea: 12 NM
exclusive economic zone: 200 NM
Climate:
 tropical; marine; hot, humid, rainy season during northeastern monsoon (November to May); dry season is cooler (May to November)
Terrain:
 generally undulating, with deep ravines and ancient volcanic peaks
Elevation extremes:
 lowest point: Indian Ocean 0 m
highest point: Benara 660 m
Natural resources:
 NEGL
Land use:
 arable land: NA%
permanent crops: NA%
other: NA% (1998 est.)
Irrigated land:
 NA sq km
Natural hazards:
 cyclones during rainy season
Environment - current issues:
 NA
Geography - note:
 part of Comoro Archipelago; 18 islands

See Also: