NAVIGATION
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NAVIGATION
Federal Islamic Republic of the Comoros
Republique Federale Islamique des Comores
INTRODUCTION
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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 has 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. |
GEOGRAPHY
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Location:
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Southern Africa, group of islands in 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:
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exclusive economic zone: 200 NM
territorial sea: 12 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 |
PEOPLE
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Population:
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614,382 (July 2002 est.) |
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Age structure:
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0-14 years: 42.9% (male 132,013; female 131,282)
15-64 years: 54.2% (male 164,245; female 168,793) 65 years and over: 2.9% (male 8,588; female 9,461) (2002 est.) |
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Population growth rate:
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2.99% (2002 est.) |
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Birth rate:
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39.01 births/1,000 population (2002 est.) |
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Death rate:
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9.1 deaths/1,000 population (2002 est.) |
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Net migration rate:
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NEGL migrant(s)/1,000 population (2002 est.) |
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Sex ratio:
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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: 0.91 male(s)/female total population: 0.99 male(s)/female (2002 est.) |
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Infant mortality rate:
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81.79 deaths/1,000 live births (2002 est.) |
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Life expectancy at birth:
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total population: 60.79 years
female: 63.09 years (2002 est.) male: 58.56 years |
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Total fertility rate:
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5.26 children born/woman (2002 est.) |
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HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:
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0.12% (1999 est.) |
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HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:
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NA |
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HIV/AIDS - deaths:
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NA |
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Nationality:
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noun: Comoran(s)
adjective: Comoran |
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Ethnic groups:
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Antalote, Cafre, Makoa, Oimatsaha, Sakalava |
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Religions:
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Sunni Muslim 98%, Roman Catholic 2% |
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Languages:
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Arabic (official), French (official), Shikomoro (a blend of Swahili and Arabic) |
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Literacy:
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definition: age 15 and over can read and write
total population: 57.3% male: 64.2% female: 50.4% (1995 est.) |