The 1996 CIA World Factbook. United States. Central Intelligence Agency
Location: 12 10 S, 44 15 E—Southern Africa, group of islands in the Mozambique Channel, about two-thirds of the way between northern Madagascar and northern Mozambique
Flag——
Description: green with a white crescent in the center of the field, its points facing downward; there are four white five-pointed stars placed in a line between the points of the crescent; the crescent, stars, and color green are traditional symbols of Islam; the four stars represent the four main islands of the archipelago - Mwali, Njazidja, Nzwani, and Mayotte (a territorial collectivity of France, but claimed by Comoros); the design, the most recent of several, is described in the constitution approved by referendum on 7 June 1992
Geography————
Location: Southern Africa, group of islands in the Mozambique
Channel, about two-thirds of the way between northern Madagascar and
northern Mozambique
Geographic coordinates: 12 10 S, 44 15 E
Map references: Africa
Area:
total area: 2,170 sq km
land area: 2,170 sq km
comparative area: 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
International disputes: claims French-administered Mayotte
Climate: tropical marine; rainy season (November to May)
Terrain: volcanic islands, interiors vary from steep mountains to
low hills
lowest point: Indian Ocean 0 m
highest point: Mount Kartala 2,360 m
Natural resources: negligible
Land use:
arable land: 35%
permanent crops: 8%
meadows and pastures: 7%
forest and woodland: 16%
other: 34%
Irrigated land: NA sq km
Environment:
current issues: soil degradation and erosion results from crop
cultivation on slopes without proper terracing; deforestation
natural hazards: cyclones and tsunamis possible during rainy season
(December to April); Mount Kartala on Grand Comore is an active
volcano
international agreements: party to - Biodiversity, Climate Change,
Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer
Protection; signed, but not ratified - Desertification
Geographic note: important location at northern end of Mozambique
Channel
People———
Population: 569,237 (July 1996 est.)
Age structure:
0–14 years: 48% (male 137,235; female 136,207)
15–64 years: 49% (male 138,447; female 142,058)
65 years and over: 3% (male 7,242; female 8,048) (July 1996 est.)
Population growth rate: 3.55% (1996 est.)
Birth rate: 45.82 births/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Death rate: 10.28 deaths/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Net migration rate: 0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Sex ratio:
at birth: 1.03 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 1.01 male(s)/female
15–64 years: 0.98 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.9 male(s)/female
all ages: 0.99 male(s)/female (1996 est.)
Infant mortality rate: 75.3 deaths/1,000 live births (1996 est.)
Life expectancy at birth: total population: 58.7 years male: 56.43 years female: 61.05 years (1996 est.)
Total fertility rate: 6.65 children born/woman (1996 est.)
Nationality: noun: Comoran(s) adjective: Comoran
Ethnic divisions: Antalote, Cafre, Makoa, Oimatsaha, Sakalava
Religions: Sunni Muslim 86%, Roman Catholic 14%
Languages: Arabic (official), French (official), Comoran (a blend
of Swahili and Arabic)
Literacy: age 15 and over can read and write (1995 est.)
total population: 57.3%
male: 64.2%
female: 50.4%
Government—————
Name of country:
conventional long form: Federal Islamic Republic of the Comoros
conventional short form: Comoros
local long form: Republique Federale Islamique des Comores
local short form: Comores
Data code: CN
Type of government: independent republic
Capital: Moroni
Administrative divisions: three islands; Grand Comore (Njazidja),
Anjouan (Nzwani), and Moheli (Mwali)
note: there are also four municipalities named Domoni, Fomboni,
Moroni, and Mutsamudu
Independence: 6 July 1975 (from France)
National holiday: Independence Day, 6 July (1975)
Constitution: 7 June 1992
Legal system: French and Muslim law in a new consolidated code
Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal
Executive branch:
chief of state: President Mohamed TAKI Abdulkarim (since 16 March
1996) was elected by popular vote; election last held 16 March 1996
(next to be held March 2001)
head of government: Prime Minister MASSOUNDI Tadjidine Ben Said
(since March 1996) was appointed by the president
cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the president
Legislative branch: unicameral
Federal Assembly (Assemblee Federale): elections last held 12–20
December 1993 (next to be held by NA January 1998); results -
percent of vote by party NA; seats - (42 total) ruling coalition:
RDR 15, UNDC 5, MWANGAZA 2; opposition: UDZIMA 8; other smaller
parties: 10; two seats remained unfilled
Judicial branch: Supreme Court (Cour Supreme), two members are
appointed by the president, two members are elected by the Federal
Assembly, one by the Council of each island, plus all the former
presidents of the republic
Political parties and leaders: Islands' Fraternity and Unity Party
(CHUMA), Said Ali KEMAL; over 20 political parties are currently