Background: 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. A subsequent attempt 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.

Geographic coordinates: 12 10 S 44 15 E

Map reference: Africa

Area
Comparative: slightly more than 12 times the size of Washington DC

Land boundaries: 0 km

Coastline: 340 km

Climate: tropical marine; rainy season (November to May)

Terrain: volcanic islands interiors vary from steep mountains to low hills

Natural resources: NEGL

Irrigated land: NA km²

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

Population: 578,400 (July 2000 est.)
Growth rate: 3.05% (2000 est.)
Below poverty line: NA%

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%

Population growth rate: 3.05% (2000 est.)

Birth rate: 40.05 births/1000 population (2000 est.)

Death rate: 9.59 deaths/1000 population (2000 est.)

Net migration rate: 0 migrant(s)/1000 population (2000 est.)

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

Infant mortality rate: 86.33 deaths/1000 live births (2000 est.)

Total fertility rate: 5.38 children born/woman (2000 est.)

Government type: independent republic

Capital: Moroni

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

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

Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal

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 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

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 growth rate: 0% (1998 est.)

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

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%

Unemployment rate: 20% (1996 est.)

Population below poverty line: NA%

Fiscal year: calendar year

Inflation rate consumer prices: 4% (1998)

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)

Debt external: $197 million (1997 est.)

Exchange rates: Comoran francs (CF) per US$1 - 485.44 (January 2000) 461.77 (1999) 442.46 (1998) 437.75 (1997) 383.66 (1996) 374.36 (1995)

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

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

Internet
Service providers isps: 1 (1999)

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

Airports: 4 (1999 est.)

Railways: 0 km

Merchant marine: none (1999 est.)

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