Statistical information Comoros 1999

Comoros in the World
top of pageBackground: Comoros has had difficulty in achieving political stability, having endured 18 coups or attempted coups since receiving independence from France in 1975. Most recently, in August 1997, the islands of Anjouan and Moheli declared their independence from Comoros. An attempt in September 1997 by the government to reestablish control over the rebellious islands by force failed, and presently the Organization of African Unity is brokering negotiations to effect a reconciliation.
top of pageLocation: 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 reference:
AfricaAreaTotal: 2,170 km²
Land: 2,170 km²
Water: 0 km²
Comparative: slightly more than 12 times the size of Washington, DC
Land boundaries: 0 km
Coastline: 340 km
Maritime claimsExclusive 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
ElevationExtremes lowest point: Indian Ocean 0 m
Extremes highest point: Le Kartala 2,360 m
Natural resources: NEGL
Land useArable land: 35%
Permanent crops: 10%
Irrigated landMajor riversMajor watersheds area km²Total water withdrawalTotal renewable water resourcesNatural hazards: cyclones possible during rainy season (December to April); Le Kartala on Grand Comore is an active volcano
GeographyNote: important location at northern end of Mozambique Channel
top of pagePopulation: 578,400 (July 1999 est.)
Growth rate: 3.05% (1999 est.)
Below poverty line: NA%
NationalityEthnic groups: Antalote Cafre Makoa Oimatsaha Sakalava
Languages: Arabic (official) French (official) Comoran (a blend of Swahili and Arabic)
Religions: Sunni Muslim 98% Roman Catholic 2%
Demographic profileAge structureDependency ratiosMedian agePopulation growth rate: 3.05% (1999 est.)
Birth rate: 40.05 births/1000 population (1999 est.)
Death rate: 9.59 deaths/1000 population (1999 est.)
Net migration rate: 0 migrant(s)/1000 population (1999 est.)
Population distributionUrbanizationMajor urban areasEnvironmentCurrent issues: soil degradation and erosion results from crop cultivation on slopes without proper terracing; deforestation
Air pollutantsSex ratioMothers mean age at first birthMaternal mortality ratioInfant mortality rate: 86.33 deaths/1000 live births (1999 est.)
Life expectancy at birthTotal fertility rate: 5.38 children born/woman (1999 est.)
Contraceptive prevalence rateDrinking water sourceCurrent health expenditurePhysicians densityHospital bed densitySanitation facility accessHiv/AidsMajor infectious diseasesObesity adult prevalence rateAlcohol consumptionTobacco useChildren under the age of 5 years underweightEducation expendituresLiteracySchool life expectancy primary to tertiary educationYouth unemploymenttop of pageCountry nameGovernment type: independent republic
Capital: Moroni
Administrative divisions: three islands; Grande Comore (Njazidja) Anjouan (Nzwani) and Moheli (Mwali)
Dependent areasIndependence: 6 July 1975 (from France)
National holiday: Independence Day 6 July (1975)
Constitution: 20 October 1996
Legal system: French and Muslim law in a new consolidated code
International law organization participationCitizenshipSuffrage: 18 years of age; universal
Executive branchLegislative branch: bicameral legislature consists of the Senate (15 seats: five from each island); members selected by regional councils for six-year terms) and a Federal Assembly or Assemblee Federale (43 seats; members elected by popular vote to serve five-year terms); note - the Federal Assembly was dissolved following the coup of 30 April 1999
Judicial branch: Supreme Court or Cour Supremes two members appointed by the president two members elected by the Federal Assembly one by the Council of each island and former presidents of the republic
Political parties and leaders: Front National pour la Justice or FNJ (Islamic party in opposition) [Ahmed Abdallah MOHAMED Ahmed ABOUBACAR Soidiki M'BAPANOZA]; Rassemblement National pour le Development or RND (party of the government) [Ali Bazi SELIM]
International organization participation: ACCT ACP AfDB AFESD AL CCC ECA FAO FZ G-77 IBRD ICAO IDA IDB IFAD IFC IFRCS (associate) ILO IMF InOC Intelsat IOC ITU NAM OAU OIC OPCW UN UNCTAD UNESCO UNIDO UPU WHO WMO WTrO (applicant)
Diplomatic representationFrom the us: the US does not have an embassy in Comoros; the ambassador to Mauritius is accredited to Comoros
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
National symbolsNational anthemNational heritagetop of pageEconomy 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 is the leading sector of the economy. It 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 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. Continued foreign support is essential if the goal of 4% annual GDP growth is to be met.
Real gdp purchasing power parityReal gdp growth rate: 0% (1998 est.)
Real gdp per capita: purchasing power parity - $725 (1998 est.)
Gross national savingGdp composition by sector of origin
Gdp composition by end useGdp composition by sector of originAgriculture products: vanilla cloves perfume essences copra coconuts bananas cassava (tapioca)
Industries: tourism perfume distillation textiles furniture jewelry construction materials soft drinks
Industrial production growth rate: NA%
Labor force: 144,500 (1996 est.)
By occupation: agriculture 80% government 3%
Unemployment rate: 20% (1996 est.)
Youth unemploymentPopulation below poverty line: NA%
Gini indexHousehold income or consumption by percentage shareDistribution of family income gini indexBudgetTaxes and other revenuesPublic debtRevenueFiscal year: calendar year
Inflation rate consumer prices: 4% (1998)
Central bank discount rateCommercial bank prime lending rateStock of narrow moneyStock of broad moneyStock of domestic creditMarket value of publicly traded sharesCurrent account balanceExports: $9.3 million (f.o.b. 1998 est.)
Commodities: vanilla ylang-ylang cloves perfume oil copra
Partners: France 43% US 43% Germany 7% (1997)
Imports: $49.5 million (f.o.b. 1998 est.)
Commodities: rice and other foodstuffs consumer goods; petroleum products cement transport equipment
Partners: France 59% South Africa 15% Kenya 6% (1997)
Reserves of foreign exchange and goldDebt external: $197 million (1997 est.)
Stock of direct foreign investment at homeStock of direct foreign investment abroadExchange rates: Comoran francs (CF) per US$1 - 485.44 (January 1999) 461.77 (1999) 442.46 (1998) 437.75 (1997) 383.66 (1996) 374.36 (1995)
top of pageElectricityProduction: 15 million kWh (1998)
Consumption: 14 million kWh (1998)
Exports: 0 kWh (1998)
Imports: 0 kWh (1998)
CoalPetroleumCrude oilRefined petroleumNatural gasCarbon dioxide emissionsEnergy consumption per capitatop of pageTelephonesMain lines in use: 5,000 (1995)
Mobile cellular: 0 (1995)
Telephone system: sparse system of microwave radio relay and HF radiotelephone communication stations
Broadcast mediaInternetService providers isps: 1 (1999)
Broadband fixed subscriptionstop of pageMilitary expendituresDollar figure: $N/A
Percent of gdp: NA%
Military and security forcesMilitary service age and obligationSpace programTerrorist groupstop of pageNational air transport systemCivil aircraft registration country code prefixAirports: 4 (1999 est.)
HeliportsPipelinesRailways: 0 km
RoadwaysWaterwaysMerchant marine: none (1999 est.)
Ports and terminalsComoros - Transnational issues 1999
top of pageDisputes international: claims French-administered Mayotte; the islands of Anjouan (Nzwani) and Moheli (Mwali) have moved to secede from Comoros
Refugees and internally displaced personsIllicit drugs