Location:

Southern Africa, group of islands in the Mozambique Channel, about two-thirds of the way between northern Madagascar and northern Mozambique.

It consists of four islands, of which three form the independent Union of Comoros and one is the French territory of Mayotte. Each island has two names: Grande Comore (Ngazidja), Moheli (Mwali), Anjouan (Nzwani), and Mayotte (Mahore). The interior of the volcanic islands vary from steep mountains to low hills. Le Karthala (2316 m) on Grand Comore is an active volcano.

The Coelacanth fish, for long time thought to be extinct since the end of the Cretaceous, can be found in the waters surrounding the islands and are called gombessa by the local people.

Geographic coordinates:

Map references: Africa

Area:
total: 2,170 km²
land: 2,170 km²
water: 0 km²

Area - comparative: slightly more than 12 times the size of Washington, DC

Land boundaries: 0 km

Coastline: 340 km

Maritime claims:
exclusive economic zone: 200 nm
territorial sea: 12 nm

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 resources: NEGL

Land use:
arable land: 35%
permanent crops: 10%
permanent pastures: 7%
forests and woodland: 18%
other: 30% (1993 est.)

Irrigated land: NA km²

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

Environment - international agreements:
party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection, Wetlands
signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements

Geography - note: important location at northern end of Mozambique Channel

See also : Comoros