Statistical information Comoros 1999Comoros

Map of Comoros | Geography | People | Government | Economy | Energy | Communication
Military | Transportation | Transnational Issues | Year:  | More stats

Comoros in the World
Comoros in the World

Tablet Hotels


Comoros - Introduction 1999
top of page


Background: 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.


Comoros - Geography 1999
top of page


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 referenceAfrica

Area
Total: 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 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
Extremes highest point: Le Kartala 2,360 m

Natural resources: NEGL
Land use

Land use
Arable land: 35%
Permanent crops: 10%

Irrigated land

Major rivers

Major watersheds area km²

Total water withdrawal

Total renewable water resources

Natural hazards: cyclones possible during rainy season (December to April); Le Kartala on Grand Comore is an active volcano

Geography
Note: important location at northern end of Mozambique Channel


Comoros - People 1999
top of page


Population: 578,400 (July 1999 est.)
Growth rate: 3.05% (1999 est.)
Below poverty line: NA%

Nationality

Ethnic 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 profile
Age structure

Age structure

Dependency ratios

Median age

Population 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 distribution

Urbanization

Major urban areas

Environment
Current issues: soil degradation and erosion results from crop cultivation on slopes without proper terracing; deforestation

Air pollutants

Sex ratio

Mothers mean age at first birth

Maternal mortality ratio

Infant mortality rate: 86.33 deaths/1000 live births (1999 est.)

Life expectancy at birth

Total fertility rate: 5.38 children born/woman (1999 est.)

Contraceptive prevalence rate

Drinking water source

Current health expenditure

Physicians density

Hospital bed density

Sanitation facility access

Hiv/Aids

Major infectious diseases

Obesity adult prevalence rate

Alcohol consumption

Tobacco use

Children under the age of 5 years underweight

Education expenditures

Literacy

School life expectancy primary to tertiary education

Youth unemployment


Comoros - Government 1999
top of page


Country name

Government type: independent republic

Capital: Moroni

Administrative divisions: three islands; Grande Comore (Njazidja) Anjouan (Nzwani) and Moheli (Mwali)

Dependent areas

Independence: 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 participation

Citizenship

Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal

Executive branch

Legislative 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 representation
From the us: the US does not have an embassy in Comoros; the ambassador to Mauritius is accredited to Comoros

Flag descriptionflag of Comoros: 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 symbols

National anthem

National heritage


Comoros - Economy 1999
top of page


Economy 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 parity

Real gdp growth rate: 0% (1998 est.)

Real gdp per capita: purchasing power parity - $725 (1998 est.)

Gross national saving
Gdp composition by sector of origin

Gdp composition by end use

Gdp composition by sector of origin

Agriculture 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%
Labor force

Unemployment rate: 20% (1996 est.)

Youth unemployment

Population below poverty line: NA%

Gini index

Household income or consumption by percentage share

Distribution of family income gini index

Budget

Taxes and other revenues

Public debt

Revenue

Fiscal year: calendar year

Inflation rate consumer prices: 4% (1998)

Central bank discount rate

Commercial bank prime lending rate

Stock of narrow money

Stock of broad money

Stock of domestic credit

Market value of publicly traded shares

Current account balance

Exports: $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 gold

Debt external: $197 million (1997 est.)

Stock of direct foreign investment at home

Stock of direct foreign investment abroad

Exchange 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)


Comoros - Energy 1999
top of page


Electricity
Production: 15 million kWh (1998)
Consumption: 14 million kWh (1998)
Exports: 0 kWh (1998)
Imports: 0 kWh (1998)

Coal

Petroleum

Crude oil

Refined petroleum

Natural gas

Carbon dioxide emissions

Energy consumption per capita


Comoros - Communication 1999
top of page


Telephones
Main lines in use: 5,000 (1995)
Mobile cellular: 0 (1995)

Telephone system: sparse system of microwave radio relay and HF radiotelephone communication stations

Broadcast media

Internet
Service providers isps: 1 (1999)

Broadband fixed subscriptions


Comoros - Military 1999
top of page


Military expenditures
Dollar figure: $N/A
Percent of gdp: NA%

Military and security forces

Military service age and obligation

Space program

Terrorist groups


Comoros - Transportation 1999
top of page


National air transport system

Civil aircraft registration country code prefix

Airports: 4 (1999 est.)

Heliports

Pipelines

Railways: 0 km

Roadways

Waterways

Merchant marine: none (1999 est.)

Ports and terminals


Comoros - Transnational issues 1999
top of page


Disputes international: claims French-administered Mayotte; the islands of Anjouan (Nzwani) and Moheli (Mwali) have moved to secede from Comoros

Refugees and internally displaced persons

Illicit drugs


Isango


You found a piece of the puzzle

Please click here to complete it
City Sightseeing