Dialing code +269
ISO 2 code KM
ISO 3 code COM
Capital Moroni
Main Language Arabic
Currency Franc (KMF)
GDP $741.4 million 194th
Population 773,407 162nd

Geography

Continent Africa
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
Land 2,170 km2 181st
Terrain Volcanic islands interiors vary from steep mountains to low hills
Climate Tropical marine; rainy season (November to May)
Natural Hazards Volcanic islands interiors vary from steep mountains to low hills
Note: Important location at northern end of Mozambique Channel

Neighbouring Countries

History

Comoros has endured more than 20 coups or attempted coups since gaining independence from France in 1975. In 1997 the islands of Anjouan and Moheli declared independence from Comoros. In 1999 military chief Col. AZALI seized power in a bloodless coup and helped negotiate the 2000 Fomboni Accords power-sharing agreement in which the federal presidency rotates among the three islands and each island maintains its own local government. AZALI won the 2002 Presidential election and each island in the archipelago elected its own president. AZALI stepped down in 2006 and President SAMBI was elected to office. In 2007 BACAR effected Anjouan's de-facto secession from the Union refusing to step down in favor of fresh Anjouanais elections when Comoros' other islands held legitimate elections in July. The African Union (AU) initially attempted to resolve the political crisis by applying sanctions and a naval blockade on Anjouan but in March 2008 AU and Comoran soldiers seized the island. The move was generally welcomed by the island's inhabitants.
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Demographics

Life Expectancy 63.47 years 156th
Median Age 18.8 years 174th
Birth Rate 35.23 births/1,000 population 33rd
Death Rate 7.57 births/1,000 population 111th
Sex Ratio 0.84 male(s)/female 70th
Literacy 56.5% 182nd
Population

773407

Transportation

Roadways 880 km 179th
Railways None km
Airports 4 175th
Waterways None km
Heliports None
Airports paved 1 115th

Economy

Currency Franc (KMF)
GDP $741.4 million 194th
GDP per capita (PPP) $1000 190th