Country name conventional long form: Union of the Comoros
conventional short form: Comoros
local short form: Comores
local long form: Union des Comores Background 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 May 26, 2002.Location 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 Area total: 2,170 sq km
water: 0 sq km
land: 2,170 sq km Area - comparative slightly more than 12 times the size of Washington, DC Coastline 340 km Climate tropical marine; rainy season (November to May) Terrain volcanic islands, interiors vary from steep mountains to low hills Elevation extremes lowest point: Indian Ocean 0 m
highest point: Le Kartala 2,360 m Natural hazards cyclones possible during rainy season (December to April); Le Kartala on Grand Comore is an active volcano Environment - current issues soil degradation and erosion results from crop cultivation on slopes without proper terracing; deforestation Geography - note important location at northern end of Mozambique Channel Population 632,948 (July 2003 est.) Age structure 0-14 years: 42.9% (male 136,060; female 135,277)
15-64 years: 54.2% (male 169,121; female 173,822)
65 years and over: 2.9% (male 8,863; female 9,805) (2003 est.) Median age total: 18.6 years
male: 18.3 years
female: 18.9 years (2002) Sex ratio at birth: 1.03 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 1.01 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 0.97 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.9 male(s)/female
total population: 0.98 male(s)/female (2003 est.) Nationality noun: Comoran(s)
adjective: Comoran Ethnic groups Antalote, Cafre, Makoa, Oimatsaha, Sakalava Religions Sunni Muslim 98%, Roman Catholic 2% Languages Arabic (official), French (official), Shikomoro (a blend of Swahili and Arabic) Internet country code .km Literacy definition: age 15 and over can read and write
total population: 56.5%
male: 63.6%
female: 49.3% (2003 est.) Government type independent republic National holiday Independence Day, 6 July (1975) Legal system French and Sharia (Islamic) law in a new consolidated code International organization participation ACCT, ACP, AfDB, AFESD, AL, AMF, ECA, FAO, FZ, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt (signatory), ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS (associate), ILO, IMF, IMO, InOC, Interpol, IOC, ITU, NAM, OAU, OIC, OPCW (signatory), UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WCO, WHO, WMO, WTrO (applicant) Economy - overview One of the world"s poorest countries, Comoros is made up of three islands that have inadequate transportation links, a young and rapidly increasing population, and few natural resources. The low educational level of the labor force contributes to a subsistence level of economic activity, high unemployment, and a heavy dependence on foreign grants and technical assistance. Agriculture, including fishing, hunting, and forestry, contributes 40% to GDP, employs 80% of the labor force, and provides most of the exports. The country is not self-sufficient in food production; rice, the main staple, accounts for the bulk of imports. The government - which is hampered by internal political disputes - is struggling to upgrade education and technical training, to privatize commercial and industrial enterprises, to improve health services, to diversify exports, to promote tourism, and to reduce the high population growth rate. Increased foreign support is essential if the goal of 4% annual GDP growth is to be met. Remittances from 150,000 Comorans abroad help supplement GDP. Exports - partners France 32.4%, Germany 19.4%, US 17.6%, Singapore 11.5%, Netherlands 6.5% (2002) Currency Comoran franc (KMF) Currency code KMF Exchange rates Comoran francs (KMF) per US dollar - 522.74 (2002), 549.78 (2001), 533.98 (2000), 461.78 (1999), 442.46 (1998)
note: prior to January 1999, the official rate was pegged to the French franc at 75 Comoran francs per French franc; since 1 January 1999, the Comoran franc is pegged to the euro at a rate of 491.9677 Comoran francs per euro Airports 4 (2002) Airports - with paved runways total: 4
2,438 to 3,047 m: 1
914 to 1,523 m: 3 (2002) Airports - with unpaved runways Disputes - international claims French-administered Mayotte |
