2009 Edition
CIA World Factbook 2009 (Project Gutenberg)
Introduction
Background
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.
Geography
Area
total: 2,235 sq km country comparison to the world: 179 land: 2,235 sq km water: 0 sq km
Area - comparative
slightly more than 12 times the size of Washington, DC
Climate
tropical marine; rainy season (November to May)
Coastline
340 km
Elevation extremes
lowest point: Indian Ocean 0 m highest point: Le Karthala 2,360 m
Environment - current issues
soil degradation and erosion results from crop cultivation on slopes without proper terracing; deforestation
Environment - international agreements
party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements
Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural)
total: 0.01 cu km/yr (48%/5%/47%) per capita: 13 cu m/yr (1999)
Geographic coordinates
12 10 S, 44 15 E
Geography - note
important location at northern end of Mozambique Channel
Irrigated land
NA
Land boundaries
0 km
Land use
arable land: 35.87% permanent crops: 23.32% other: 40.81% (2005)
Location
Southern Africa, group of islands at the northern mouth of the Mozambique Channel, about two-thirds of the way between northern Madagascar and northern Mozambique
Map references
Africa
Maritime claims
territorial sea: 12 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm
Natural hazards
cyclones possible during rainy season (December to April); Le Karthala on Grand Comore is an active volcano
Natural resources
NEGL
Terrain
volcanic islands, interiors vary from steep mountains to low hills
Total renewable water resources
1.2 cu km (2003)
People and Society
Age structure
0-14 years: 42.2% (male 159,282/female 158,073) 15-64 years: 54.8% (male 203,533/female 208,591) 65 years and over: 3.1% (male 10,474/female 12,485) (2009 est.)
Birth rate
35.23 births/1,000 population (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 36
Death rate
7.57 deaths/1,000 population (July 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 120
Education expenditures
3.8% of GDP (2002) country comparison to the world: 120
Ethnic groups
Antalote, Cafre, Makoa, Oimatsaha, Sakalava
HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate
less than 0.1% (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 163
HIV/AIDS - deaths
NA
HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS
NA (2007 est.)
Infant mortality rate
total: 66.57 deaths/1,000 live births country comparison to the world: 30 male: 74.5 deaths/1,000 live births female: 58.4 deaths/1,000 live births (2009 est.)
Languages
Arabic (official), French (official), Shikomoro (a blend of Swahili and Arabic)
Life expectancy at birth
total population: 63.47 years country comparison to the world: 171 male: 61.07 years female: 65.94 years (2009 est.)
Literacy
definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 56.5% male: 63.6% female: 49.3% (2003 est.)
Median age
total: 18.8 years male: 18.5 years female: 19.1 years (2009 est.)
Nationality
noun: Comoran(s) adjective: Comoran
Net migration rate
NA (2009 est.)
Population
752,438 (July 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 161
Population growth rate
2.766% (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 18
Religions
Sunni Muslim 98%, Roman Catholic 2%
School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education)
total: 8 years male: 9 years female: 7 years (2004)
Sex ratio
at birth: 1.03 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.01 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 0.98 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.84 male(s)/female total population: 0.98 male(s)/female (2009 est.)
Total fertility rate
4.84 children born/woman (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 33
Urbanization
urban population: 28% of total population (2008) rate of urbanization: 2.7% annual rate of change (2005-10 est.)
Government
Administrative divisions
3 islands and 4 municipalities*; Grande Comore (N'gazidja), Anjouan (Ndzuwani), Domoni*, Fomboni*, Moheli (Mwali), Moroni*, Moutsamoudou*
Capital
name: Moroni geographic coordinates: 11 42 S, 43 14 E time difference: UTC+3 (8 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time)
Constitution
23 December 2001
Country name
conventional long form: Union of the Comoros conventional short form: Comoros local long form: Udzima wa Komori (Comorian); Union des Comores (French); Jumhuriyat al Qamar al Muttahidah (Arabic) local short form: Komori (Comorian); Comores (French); Juzur al Qamar (Arabic)
Diplomatic representation from the US
the US does not have an embassy in Comoros; the ambassador to Madagascar is accredited to Comoros
Diplomatic representation in the US
chief of mission: Representative to the UN and Ambassador to the US Mohamed TOIHIRI chancery: Mission to the US, 866 United Nations Plaza, Suite 418, New York, NY 10017 telephone: [1] (212) 750-1637
Executive branch
chief of state: President Ahmed Abdallah SAMBI (since 26 May 2006) head of government: President Ahmed Abdallah SAMBI (since 26 May 2006) cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the president elections: as defined by the 2001 constitution, the presidency rotates every four years among the elected presidents from the three main islands in the Union; election last held 14 May 2006 (next to be held in 2011) election results: Ahmed Abdallah SAMBI elected president; percent of vote - Ahmed Abdallah SAMBI 58.0%, Ibrahim HALIDI 28.3%, Mohamed DJAANFAMI 13.7%
Flag description
four equal horizontal bands of yellow (top), white, red, and blue, with a green isosceles triangle based on the hoist; centered within the triangle is a white crescent with the convex side facing the hoist and four white, five-pointed stars placed vertically in a line between the points of the crescent; the horizontal bands and the four stars represent the four main islands of the archipelago - Mwali, N'gazidja, Nzwani, and Mahore (Mayotte - territorial collectivity of France, but claimed by Comoros) note: the crescent, stars, and color green are traditional symbols of Islam
Government type
republic
Independence
6 July 1975 (from France)
International organization participation
ACCT, ACP, AfDB, AMF, AU, COMESA, FAO, FZ, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt, ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, InOC, Interpol, IOC, IPU, ITSO, ITU, ITUC, LAS, NAM, OIC, OIF, OPCW, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO (observer)
Judicial branch
Supreme Court or Cour Supremes (two members appointed by the president, two members elected by the Federal Assembly, one elected by the Council of each island, and others are former presidents of the republic)
Legal system
French and Islamic law in a new consolidated code; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction
Legislative branch
unicameral Assembly of the Union (33 seats; 15 deputies are selected by the individual islands' local assemblies and 18 by universal suffrage; to serve for five years); elections: last held 18 and 25 April 2004 (next to be held on 2 August 2009) election results: percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - CdIA 12, CRC 6; note - 15 additional seats are filled by deputies from local island assemblies
National holiday
Independence Day, 6 July (1975)
Political parties and leaders
Convention for the Renewal of the Comoros or CRC [AZALI Assowmani]; Camp of the Autonomous Islands or CdIA (a coalition of parties organized by the islands' presidents in opposition to the Union President); Front National pour la Justice or FNJ [Ahmed RACHID] (Islamic party in opposition); Mouvement pour la Democratie et le Progress or MDP-NGDC [Abbas DJOUSSOUF]; Parti Comorien pour la Democratie et le Progress or PCDP [Ali MROUDJAE]; Rassemblement National pour le Development or RND [Omar TAMOU, Abdoulhamid AFFRAITANE]
Political pressure groups and leaders
other: environmentalists
Suffrage
18 years of age; universal
Economy
Agriculture - products
vanilla, cloves, ylang-ylang, perfume essences, copra, coconuts, bananas, cassava (tapioca)
Budget
revenues: $27.6 million expenditures: $NA (2001 est.)
Central bank discount rate
5.36% (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 80 5.36% (31 December 2007)
Commercial bank prime lending rate
7% (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 79 10.5% (31 December 2007)
Current account balance
$8 million (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 62
Debt - external
$232 million (2000 est.) country comparison to the world: 177
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, 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 - which is hampered by internal political disputes - is struggling to upgrade education and technical training, privatize commercial and industrial enterprises, improve health services, diversify exports, promote tourism, and reduce the high population growth rate. The political problems have inhibited growth, which has averaged only about 1% in 2006-08. Remittances from 150,000 Comorans abroad help supplement GDP.
Electricity - consumption
20.46 million kWh (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 204
Electricity - exports
0 kWh (2008 est.)
Electricity - imports
0 kWh (2008 est.)
Electricity - production
22 million kWh (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 204
Exchange rates
Comoran francs (KMF) per US dollar - 361.4 (2007), 391.8 (2006), 395.6 (2005), 396.21 (2004), 435.9 (2003) note: the Comoran franc is pegged to the euro at a rate of 491.9677 Comoran francs per euro
Exports
$32 million (2006) country comparison to the world: 201
Exports - commodities
vanilla, ylang-ylang (perfume essence), cloves, copra
Exports - partners
France 27.1%, Turkey 15.2%, India 9.5%, Greece 9.4%, Brazil 8.9%, Algeria 7%, Singapore 6.8%, Saudi Arabia 4.3% (2008)
GDP - composition by sector
agriculture: 40% industry: 4% services: 56% (2001 est.)
GDP - per capita (PPP)
$1,000 (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 211 $1,000 (2007 est.) $1,100 (2006 est.) note: data are in 2008 US dollars
GDP - real growth rate
0.5% (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 191 -1% (2007 est.) 1.3% (2006 est.)
GDP (official exchange rate)
$532 million (2008 est.)
GDP (purchasing power parity)
$741.7 million (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 208 $738 million (2007 est.) $745.5 million (2006 est.) note: data are in 2008 US dollars
Household income or consumption by percentage share
lowest 10%: NA% highest 10%: NA%
Imports
$143 million (2006) country comparison to the world: 203
Imports - commodities
rice and other foodstuffs, consumer goods, petroleum products, cement, transport equipment
Imports - partners
Brazil 13.4%, France 13.1%, China 11.5%, UAE 9.1%, India 5.8%, Italy 5.3%, Pakistan 5.3%, Singapore 4.2%, Kenya 4.2% (2008)
Industrial production growth rate
-2% (1999 est.) country comparison to the world: 151
Industries
fishing, tourism, perfume distillation
Inflation rate (consumer prices)
3% (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 37
Labor force
268,500 (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 160
Labor force - by occupation
agriculture: 80% industry and services: 20% (1996 est.)
Natural gas - consumption
0 cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 197
Natural gas - exports
0 cu m (2008) country comparison to the world: 181
Natural gas - imports
0 cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 189
Natural gas - production
0 cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 196
Natural gas - proved reserves
0 cu m (1 January 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 194
Oil - consumption
1,000 bbl/day (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 201
Oil - exports
0 bbl/day (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 142
Oil - imports
766.2 bbl/day (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 192
Oil - production
0 bbl/day (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 198
Oil - proved reserves
0 bbl (1 January 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 196
Population below poverty line
60% (2002 est.)
Stock of domestic credit
$79.52 million (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 125 $45.09 million (31 December 2007)
Stock of money
$100.6 million (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 113 $76.68 million (31 December 2007)
Stock of quasi money
$41.74 million (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 124 $23.39 million (31 December 2007)
Unemployment rate
20% (1996 est.) country comparison to the world: 164
Communications
Internet country code
.km
Internet hosts
7 (2009) country comparison to the world: 223
Internet users
23,000 (2008) country comparison to the world: 188
Radio broadcast stations
AM 1, FM 4, shortwave 1 (2001)
Telephone system
general assessment: sparse system of microwave radio relay and HF radiotelephone communication stations; fixed-line connections only about 3 per 100 persons; mobile cellular usage about 5 per 100 persons domestic: HF radiotelephone communications and microwave radio relay international: country code - 269; HF radiotelephone communications to Madagascar and Reunion
Telephones - main lines in use
23,300 (2008) country comparison to the world: 187
Telephones - mobile cellular
42,000 (2008) country comparison to the world: 198
Television broadcast stations
NA
Transportation
Airports
4 (2009) country comparison to the world: 184
Airports - with paved runways
total: 4 2,438 to 3,047 m: 1 914 to 1,523 m: 3 (2009)
Merchant marine
total: 136 country comparison to the world: 46 by type: bulk carrier 15, cargo 87, carrier 2, chemical tanker 5, container 2, passenger 1, passenger/cargo 1, petroleum tanker 9, refrigerated cargo 5, roll on/roll off 8, specialized tanker 1 foreign-owned: 68 (Bangladesh 2, Bulgaria 2, Cyprus 1, Greece 6, India 2, Kenya 1, Kuwait 1, Lebanon 4, Norway 1, Pakistan 4, Philippines 1, Russia 12, Saudi Arabia 1, Singapore 1, Syria 4, Turkey 8, Ukraine 8, UAE 7, US 2) (2008)
Ports and terminals
Mayotte, Mutsamudu
Roadways
total: 880 km country comparison to the world: 184 paved: 673 km unpaved: 207 km (2002)
Military and Security
Manpower available for military service
males age 16-49: 167,850 females age 16-49: 167,362 (2008 est.)
Manpower fit for military service
males age 16-49: 125,747 females age 16-49: 135,707 (2009 est.)
Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually
male: 8,203 female: 8,188 (2009 est.)
Military expenditures
2.8% of GDP (2006) country comparison to the world: 54
National Development Army (AND)
Comoran Security Force; Comoran Federal Police (2008)
Transnational Issues
Disputes - international
claims French-administered Mayotte and challenges France's and Madagascar's claims to Banc du Geyser, a drying reef in the Mozambique Channel; in May 2008, African Union forces are called in to assist the Comoros military recapture Anjouan Island from rebels who seized it in 2001 page last updated on November 11, 2009