Comoros

Geography
Located in a strategic position at the northern end of the Mozambique Channel, the Comoro Islands once played a major role in a thriving world economy of the western Indian Ocean. They were part of an ancient maritime civilization that connected Africa, Asia, and the Mediterranean world.

The Comorian archipelago arose from the seabed of the western Indian Ocean as the result of volcanic activity. The four major islands: Ngazidja, Mwali, Nzwani, Mayotte (Maore), are of varying age with distinct topographical characteristics. Mayotte, the oldest of the islands, is located closer to Madagascar than the other islands and is highly eroded with slow, meandering streams. Ngazidja, the youngest of the islands, is closest to Africa, is dominated by a massive volcano, and marked by fresh lava flows.

The islands possess a variety of animal life with several species unique to the Comoros or rarely found elsewhere. The famous Coelacanth, a fish once thought to be extinct for millions of years, is found very much alive in Comorian waters. Livingstone's flying fox, a giant fruit bat with a wing span over four feet, is found nowhere else in the world. Several varieties of insects, including the butterfly pictured at right, and over a dozen species of birds are unique to the islands. Many of these species are now being threatened with extinction.

Communities on the islands are mentioned in ancient documents. Domoni, one of these communities, for example, was described as a major trading center in the fifteenth century with trade contacts in Africa and Asia. We know from archaeological evidence that it traded with places as far away as Japan. After the Portuguese appeared in the Indian Ocean and before the opening of the Suez Canal, many European and American vessels stopped in the islands for supplies.

Country Description
The Comoros is a developing island nation located in the Indian Ocean off the east coast of Africa. Facilities for tourism are limited, and telecommunication links are extremely unreliable.

Entry Requirement
A passport and onward/return ticket are required. A three-week entry visa, which may be extended, may be obtained upon arrival at the airport. Travelers should obtain the latest details from the Mission of the Federal Islamic Republic of the Comoros, 420 East 50th Street, New York, NY 10022; telephone number (212) 972-8010, fax (212) 983-4712. Overseas inquiries may be made at the nearest Comorian or Senegalese Embassy or Consulate.

Access to Anjouan, Comoros?second largest island, which declared itself independent in 1997, requires prior permission from authorities in Anjouan.

Medical Insurance
Check with your own insurance company to confirm whether your policy applies overseas, including provision for medical evacuation. Ascertain whether payment will be made to the overseas hospital or doctor, or whether you will be reimbursed later for expenses you incur. Some insurance policies also include coverage for psychiatric treatment and for disposition of remains in the event of death. Travelers to Comoros are strongly urged to consider supplemental medical/travelers? insurance, as these policies are inexpensive when compared to the costs of a medical evacuation.

Transportation
The information below concerning Comoros is provided for general reference only and may not be totally accurate in a particular location or circumstance.

Safety of Public Transportation: Poor
Urban Road Conditions/Maintenance: Fair
Rural Road Conditions/Maintenance: Poor
Availability of Roadside Assistance: Poor

Roads are generally adequate, but are narrow and poorly lit at night. Travelers should exercise extreme caution when driving after dark. Taxis or a rental car and driver are preferable to public transportation.

Location: Southern Africa, group of islands in the Mozambique Channel, about two-thirds of the way between northern Madagascar and northern Mozambique

Area-comparative: slightly more than 12 times the size of Washington, DC

Coastline: 340 km

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

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

Geography—note: important location at northern end of Mozambique Channel

Population: 562,723 (July 1999 est.)

Nationality:
noun: Comoran(s)
adjective: Comoran

Ethnic groups: Antalote, Cafre, Makoa, Oimatsaha, Sakalava

Religions: Sunni Muslim 86%, Roman Catholic 14%

Languages: Arabic (official), French (official), Comoran (a blend of Swahili and Arabic)

Country name:
conventional long form: Federal Islamic Republic of the Comoros
conventional short form: Comoros
local long form: Republique Federale Islamique des Comores
local short form: Comores

Capital: Moroni

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: Comoros is made up of three islands that have transportation links, to a young and rapidly increasing population. 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 making all attempts 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 maintained.

Industries: tourism, perfume distillation, textiles, furniture, jewelry, construction materials, and soft drinks

Agriculture—products: vanilla, cloves, perfume essences, copra, coconuts, bananas, cassava (tapioca)

Exports—commodities: vanilla, ylang-ylang, cloves, perfume oil, copra

Imports—commodities: rice and other foodstuffs, consumer goods; petroleum products, cement, transport equipment

Currency: 1 Comoran franc (CF) = 100 centimes

Telephone system: sparse system of microwave radio relay and HF radiotelephone communication stations
domestic: HF radiotelephone communications and microwave radio relay
international: HF radiotelephone communications to Madagascar and Reunion

Railways:
total: 0 km

Highways:
total: 880 km
paved: 673 km
unpaved: 207 km (1996 est.)

Ports and harbors: Fomboni, Moroni, Moutsamoudou

Airports: 4 (1998 est.)

Military branches: Comoran Security Force

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