Comoros - Country Profile - Nations Online Project (original) (raw)

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Comoros has endured more than 20 coups or attempted coups since gaining independence from France in 1975. In 1997, the islands of Anjouan and Moheli declared independence from Comoros. In 1999, military chief Col. AZALI seized power in a bloodless coup, and helped negotiate the 2000 Fomboni Accords power-sharing agreement in which the federal presidency rotates among the three islands, and each island maintains its own local government.

AZALI won the 2002 Presidential election, and each island in the archipelago elected its own president. AZALI stepped down in 2006 and President SAMBI was elected to office. In 2007, BACAR effected Anjouan's de-facto secession from the Union, refusing to step down in favor of fresh Anjouanais elections when Comoros' other islands held legitimate elections in July. The African Union (AU) initially attempted to resolve the political crisis by applying sanctions and a naval blockade on Anjouan, but in March 2008, AU and Comoran soldiers seized the island. The move was generally welcomed by the island's inhabitants.
In May 2011, Ikililou DHOININE won the presidency in peaceful elections widely deemed to be free and fair. Former President AZALI Assoumani was declared the winner of the closely contested 2016 presidential election.
(Source: World Factbook -- Comoros)

Related countries: France

Official Name:
Union des Comores (French)
Udzima wa Komori (Comorian)
short form: Comores
int'l long form: Union of the Comoros
int'l short form: Comoros
Hist. name: Djazaïr Al Qamar (Islands of the Moon)

ISO Country Code: km, com

Time:
Local Time = UTC+3h
Actual Time: Sat-Nov-16 11:01

Country Calling Code: +269

Capital City: Moroni (pop. 60,000)

Other Cities: Mutsamudu (pop. 20,000)
Fomboni, Mamoutzou.

Government:
Type: Republic.
Independence: 6 July 1975 (from France, Mayotte remains under French administration).
Constitution: Adopted by referendum on 23 December 2001.

Geography:
Location: Southern east Africa, group of islands at the Mozambique Channel which separates Madagascar from the African continent.
Area: 2,171 km² (838 sq. mi.)
Major islands: Grande Comore, Anjouan, Mayotte (administered by France), and Moheli.
Terrain: Volcanic islands, interiors vary from steep mountains to low hills.
Highest point: Le Kartala (an active volcano; 2360 m)

Climate: Tropical marine.

People:
Nationality: Comorian(s).
Population: 770,000 (2015)
Ethnic groups: Antalote, Cafre, Makoa, Oimatsaha, Sakalava.
Religions: Sunni Muslim 98%, Roman Catholic 2%.
Languages: Shikomor (Comorian, a Swahili-Arabic blend), Arabic, French, Swahili.
Literacy: 57%.

Natural resources: Few natural resources.

Agriculture products: Vanilla, ylang-ylang, jasmine, cassis, cloves, perfume essences, copra, coconuts, bananas, cassava (tapioca)

Industries: Tourism, perfume distillation.

Exports partners: India 28.7%, France 17%, Germany 8.7%, Saudi Arabia 7.1%, Singapore 6.6%, Netherlands 6.1%, Mauritius 5.3% (2015)

Imports partners: China 18.9%, Pakistan 16.2%, France 14.7%, UAE 11.3%, India 6.3% (2015)

Currency: Comoran Franc (KMF)