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
Geographic coordinates:
12 10 S, 44 15 E
Map references:
Africa
Area: Area - comparative: Land boundaries: Coastline: Maritime claims: Climate: Terrain: Elevation: Natural resources: Land use: Irrigated land: Population distribution: Natural hazards: volcanism: Karthala (2,361 m) on Grand Comore Island last erupted in 2007; a 2005 eruption forced thousands of people to be evacuated and produced a large ash cloud
Environment - current issues: Environment - international agreements: Geography - note:
total: 2,235 sq km
[see also: Area - total country ranks ]
land: 2,235 sq km
[see also: Area - land country ranks ]
water: 0 sq km
[see also: Area - water country ranks ]
country comparison to the world:
180
slightly more than 12 times the size of Washington, DC
0 km
340 km
[see also: Coastline country ranks ]
territorial sea: 12
nm
[see also: Maritime claims - territorial sea country ranks ]
exclusive economic zone: 200
nm
[see also: Maritime claims - exclusive economic zone country ranks ]
tropical marine; rainy season (November to May)
More Climate Details
volcanic islands, interiors vary from steep mountains to low hills
0 m
lowest point: Indian Ocean
2360 highest point: Karthala
fish
agricultural land: 84.4%
(2011 est.)
[see also: Land use - agricultural land country ranks ]
arable land: 46.7%
(2011 est.)
[see also: Land use - arable land country ranks ]
permanent crops: 29.6%
(2011 est.)
[see also: Land use - permanent crops country ranks ]
permanent pasture: 8.1%
(2011 est.)
[see also: Land use - permanent pasture country ranks ]
forest: 1.4%
(2011 est.)
[see also: Land use - forest country ranks ]
other: 14.2%
(2011 est.)
[see also: Land use - other country ranks ]
1.3 sq km
(2012)
[see also: Irrigated land country ranks ]
the capital city of Maroni, located on the western side of the island of Grande Comore, is the country's largest city; however, of the three islands that comprise Comoros, it is Anjouan that is the most densely populated
cyclones possible during rainy season (December to April); volcanic activity on Grand Comore
deforestation; soil degradation and erosion results from forest loss and from crop cultivation on slopes without proper terracing; marine biodiversity affected as soil erosion leads to the silting of coral reefs
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
important location at northern end of Mozambique Channel