Background: Mayotte was ceded to France along with the other Comoros in 1843. It was the only island in the archipelago that voted in 1974 to retain its link with France and forgo independence.

Land boundaries: none

Coastline: 185.2 km

Maritime claims
Exclusive economic zone: 200 nm
Territorial sea: 12 nm

Climate: tropical; marine; hot, humid, rainy season during northeastern monsoon (November to May; dry season is cooler (May to November)

Terrain: generally undulating with ancient volcanic peaks, deep ravines

Natural resources: negligible

Land use: arable land: NA%; permanent crops: NA%; meadows and pastures NA%; forest and woodland NA%; other NA%

Geography
Note: defense is the responsibility of France

Population: 75,027 (July 1991), growth rate 3.9% (1991)

Nationality: noun--Mahorais (sing., pl.; adjective--Mahoran

Languages: Mahorian (a Swahili dialect), French

Religions: Muslim 99%; remainder Christian, mostly Roman Catholic

Birth rate: 50 births/1000 population (1991)

Death rate: 12 deaths/1000 population (1991)

Net migration rate: 0 migrants/1000 population (1991)

Environment
Current issues: subject to cyclones during rainy season

Infant mortality rate: 87 deaths/1000 live births (1991)

Life expectancy at birth: 54 years male, 59 years female (1991)

Total fertility rate: 6.8 children born/woman (1991)

Literacy: NA% (male NA%, female NA%)

Country name: conventional long form: Territorial Collectivity of Mayotte

Government type: territorial collectivity of France

Capital: Dzaoudzi

Administrative divisions: none (territorial collectivity of France)

Independence: none (territorial collectivity of France)

National holiday: Taking of the Bastille, 14 July (1789)

Constitution: 28 September 1958 (French Constitution)

Legal system: French law

Suffrage: universal at age 18

Executive branch: Chief of State--President Francois MITTERRAND (since 21 May 1981; Head of Government--Prefect, Representative of the French Government Daniel LIMODIN (since NA 1990; President of the General Council Youssouf BAMANA (since NA 1976)

Legislative branch: unicameral General Council (Conseil General)

Judicial branch: Supreme Court (Tribunal Superieur d'Appel)

International organization participation: FZ

Diplomatic representation
In the us: as a territorial collectivity of France, Mahoran interests are represented in the US by France

Flag description: the flag of France is used Mayotte MayotteMayotte

Economy overview: Economic activity is based primarily on the agricultural sector, including fishing and livestock raising. Mayotte is not self-sufficient and must import a large portion of its food requirements, mainly from France. The economy and future development of the island is heavily dependent on French financial assistance.

Agriculture products: most important sector; provides all export earnings; crops--vanilla, ylang-ylang, coffee, copra; imports major share of food needs

Industries: newly created lobster and shrimp industry

Industrial production growth rate: NA%

Labor force: NA

Unemployment rate: NA%

Budget: revenues NA; expenditures $37.3 million, including capital expenditures of NA (1985)

Fiscal year: calendar year

Exports: $4.0 million (f.o.b., 1984)
Commodities: ylang-ylang, vanilla
Partners: France 79%, Comoros 10%, Reunion 9%

Imports: $21.8 million (f.o.b., 1984)
Commodities: building materials, transportation equipment, rice, clothing, flour
Partners: France 57%, Kenya 16%, South Africa 11%, Pakistan 8%

Debt external: $NA

Exchange rates: French francs (F) per US$1--5.1307 (January 1991), 5.4453 (1990), 6.3801 (1989), 5.9569 (1988), 6.0107 (1987), 6.9261 (1986), 8.9852 (1985)

Electricity
Capacity: NA kW capacity; NA million kWh produced, NA kWh per capita

Airports: 1 with permanent-surface runway 1,220-2,439 m

Disputes international: claimed by Comoros