Skip to content. | Skip to navigation

 
Central Intelligence Agency
The Work of a Nation. The Center of Intelligence
CIA - The World Factbook The World Factbook Home
CIA - The World Factbook
Africa :: Comoros
page last updated on May 11, 2010
Flag of Comoros
(CONTAINS DESCRIPTION)
Location of Comoros
Click flag or map to enlarge Opens in New Window
 
Map of Comoros
Click map to enlarge Opens in New Window
No Photos available for Comoros
 
no photos available of Comoros
Expand All | collapse All
Introduction ::Comoros
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
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, Mohamed 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.
Back to Top
Geography ::Comoros
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
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
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
12 10 S, 44 15 E
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
total: 2,235 sq km
country comparison to the world: 179
land: 2,235 sq km
water: 0 sq km
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
slightly more than 12 times the size of Washington, DC
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
0 km
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
340 km
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
territorial sea: 12 nm
exclusive economic zone: 200 nm
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
Current Weather
tropical marine; rainy season (November to May)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
volcanic islands, interiors vary from steep mountains to low hills
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
lowest point: Indian Ocean 0 m
highest point: Le Karthala 2,360 m
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
NEGL
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
arable land: 35.87%
permanent crops: 23.32%
other: 40.81% (2005)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
NA
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
1.2 cu km (2003)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
total: 0.01 cu km/yr (48%/5%/47%)
per capita: 13 cu m/yr (1999)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
cyclones possible during rainy season (December to April); Le Karthala on Grand Comore is an active volcano
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
soil degradation and erosion results from crop cultivation on slopes without proper terracing; deforestation
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
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
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
important location at northern end of Mozambique Channel
Back to Top
People ::Comoros
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
773,407 (July 2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 160
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
0-14 years: 41.9% (male 162,767/female 161,487)
15-64 years: 55% (male 210,164/female 215,219)
65 years and over: 3.1% (male 10,757/female 13,013) (2010 est.)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
total: 18.9 years
male: 18.6 years
female: 19.2 years (2010 est.)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
2.731% (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 21
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
34.71 births/1,000 population (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 34
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
7.4 deaths/1,000 population (July 2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 122
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
NA
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
urban population: 28% of total population (2008)
rate of urbanization: 2.7% annual rate of change (2005-10 est.)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
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: 0.83 male(s)/female
total population: 0.98 male(s)/female (2010 est.)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
total: 64.61 deaths/1,000 live births
country comparison to the world: 28
male: 72.41 deaths/1,000 live births
female: 56.58 deaths/1,000 live births (2010 est.)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
total population: 63.83 years
country comparison to the world: 172
male: 61.41 years
female: 66.32 years (2010 est.)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
4.78 children born/woman (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 30
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
less than 0.1% (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 164
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
NA (2007 est.)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
NA
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
noun: Comoran(s)
adjective: Comoran
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
Antalote, Cafre, Makoa, Oimatsaha, Sakalava
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
Sunni Muslim 98%, Roman Catholic 2%
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
Arabic (official), French (official), Shikomoro (a blend of Swahili and Arabic)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
definition: age 15 and over can read and write
total population: 56.5%
male: 63.6%
female: 49.3% (2003 est.)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
total: 8 years
male: 9 years
female: 7 years (2004)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
3.8% of GDP (2002)
country comparison to the world: 120
Back to Top
Government ::Comoros
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
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)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
republic
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
name: Moroni
geographic coordinates: 11 42 S, 43 14 E
time difference: UTC+3 (8 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
3 islands and 4 municipalities*; Grande Comore (N'gazidja), Anjouan (Ndzuwani), Domoni*, Fomboni*, Moheli (Mwali), Moroni*, Moutsamoudou*
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
6 July 1975 (from France)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
Independence Day, 6 July (1975)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
23 December 2001
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
French and Islamic law in a new consolidated code; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
18 years of age; universal
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
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
(For more information visit the World Leaders website Opens in New Window)
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 on 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%
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
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 on 6 and 20 December 2009 (next to be held in 2014)
election results: percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - pro-union coalition 19, autonomous coalition 4, independents 1; note - 9 additional seats are filled by deputies from local island assemblies
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
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)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
Camp of the Autonomous Islands or CdIA (a coalition of parties organized by the islands' presidents in opposition to the Union President); Convention for the Renewal of the Comoros or CRC [AZALI Assowmani]; 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]
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
other: environmentalists
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
ACCT, ACP, AfDB, AMF, AOSIS, 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)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
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
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
the US does not have an embassy in Comoros; the ambassador to Madagascar is accredited to Comoros
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
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
Back to Top
Economy ::Comoros
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
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. Export income is heavily reliant on the three main crops of vanilla, cloves, and ylang-ylang and Comoros' export earnings are easily disrupted by disasters such as fires. 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 - lacks a comprehensive strategy to attract foreign investment and 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 2006-09. Remittances from 150,000 Comorans abroad help supplement GDP. In September 2009 the IMF approved a three-year $21 million loan for Comoros.
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
$761 million (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 205
$753.4 million (2008 est.)
$746 million (2007 est.)
note: data are in 2009 US dollars
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
$531.2 million (2009 est.)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
1% (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 99
1% (2008 est.)
-1% (2007 est.)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
$1,000 (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 209
$1,000 (2008 est.)
$1,000 (2007 est.)
note: data are in 2009 US dollars
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
agriculture: 40%
industry: 4%
services: 56% (2001 est.)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
268,500 (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 166
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
agriculture: 80%
industry and services: 20% (1996 est.)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
20% (1996 est.)
country comparison to the world: 165
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
60% (2002 est.)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
lowest 10%: 0.9%
highest 10%: 55.2%
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
revenues: $27.6 million
expenditures: $NA (2001 est.)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
3% (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 95
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
5.36% (31 December 2008)
country comparison to the world: 79
5.36% (31 December 2007)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
7% (31 December 2008)
country comparison to the world: 82
10.5% (31 December 2007)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
$100.6 million (31 December 2008)
country comparison to the world: 123
$76.68 million (31 December 2007)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
$41.74 million (31 December 2008)
country comparison to the world: 132
$23.39 million (31 December 2007)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
$79.52 million (31 December 2008)
country comparison to the world: 132
$45.09 million (31 December 2007)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
vanilla, cloves, ylang-ylang, perfume essences, copra, coconuts, bananas, cassava (tapioca)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
fishing, tourism, perfume distillation
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
NA%
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
22 million kWh (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 204
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
20.46 million kWh (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 205
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
0 kWh (2008 est.)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
0 kWh (2008 est.)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
0 bbl/day (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 198
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
1,000 bbl/day (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 203
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
0 bbl/day (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 144
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
766 bbl/day (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 191
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
0 bbl (1 January 2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 192
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
0 cu m (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 197
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
0 cu m (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 198
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
0 cu m (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 182
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
0 cu m (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 190
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
0 cu m (1 January 2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 193
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
$8 million (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 57
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
$32 million (2006)
country comparison to the world: 202
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
vanilla, ylang-ylang (perfume essence), cloves, copra
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
France 29.3%, Turkey 16.4%, Greece 12.1%, Brazil 9.6%, Algeria 7.5%, Singapore 7.4%, Saudi Arabia 4.7% (2008)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
$143 million (2006)
country comparison to the world: 205
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
rice and other foodstuffs, consumer goods, petroleum products, cement, transport equipment
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
France 14.4%, China 12.5%, India 10.6%, UAE 10%, Italy 5.7%, Pakistan 5.7%, Singapore 4.6%, Kenya 4.5% (2008)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
$232 million (2000 est.)
country comparison to the world: 170
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
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
Back to Top
Communications ::Comoros
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
23,300 (2008)
country comparison to the world: 187
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
42,000 (2008)
country comparison to the world: 198
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
general assessment: sparse system of microwave radio relay and HF radiotelephone communication stations
domestic: fixed-line connections only about 3 per 100 persons; mobile cellular usage about 5 per 100 persons
international: country code - 269; HF radiotelephone communications to Madagascar and Reunion
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
AM 1, FM 4, shortwave 1 (2001)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
NA
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
.km
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
7 (2009)
country comparison to the world: 223
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
23,000 (2008)
country comparison to the world: 188
Back to Top
Transportation ::Comoros
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
4 (2009)
country comparison to the world: 184
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
total: 4
2,438 to 3,047 m: 1
914 to 1,523 m: 3 (2009)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
total: 880 km
country comparison to the world: 184
paved: 673 km
unpaved: 207 km (2002)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
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)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
Mayotte, Mutsamudu
Back to Top
Military ::Comoros
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
Army of National Development (AND): Comoran Security Force; Comoran Federal Police (2010)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
males age 16-49: 178,670
females age 16-49: 177,811 (2010 est.)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
males age 16-49: 130,064
females age 16-49: 140,600 (2010 est.)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
male: 8,519
female: 8,498 (2010 est.)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
2.8% of GDP (2006)
country comparison to the world: 50
Back to Top
Transnational Issues ::Comoros
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
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
Back to Top
Expand All | collapse All
The online Factbook is updated bi-weekly. ISSN 1553-8133
For additional information on government leaders in selected foreign countries, go to World Leaders.