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ComorosComorosThe '''Union of Comoros''' (until 2002 the '''Islamic Federal Republic of the Comoros''') is principally a three-island country in southern Africa, situated at the northern end of the Mozambique Channel in the Indian Ocean, between northern Madagascar and northern Mozambique. The country consists of three volcanic islands: Grande Comore, Moheli and Anjouan, while the nearby island of Mayotte is claimed by Comoros but declined independence from France. The country's territory also encompasses many smaller islands. Its name was adopted from the word ''al-Khamar'', meaning 'island of small moon,' as seen depicted on its flag. {{Infobox_Country| native_name = Union des Comores<br/>Udzima wa Komori<br/>الاتحاد القمر | common_name = Comoros | image_flag = comoros flag large.png | image_coat = Comoros_coat_of_arms_small.gif | image_map = LocationComoros.png | national_motto = Unité - Justice - Progrès<br/>(French language|French, "Unity, justice, progress") | national_anthem = Udzima wa ya Masiwa | official_languages = Comorian language|Shikomor, Arabic language|Arabic, French language|French | capital = Moroni, Comoros|Moroni |latd=11|latm=41|latNS=S|longd=43|longm=16|longEW=E| largest_city = Moroni, Comoros|Moroni | government_type=—| leader_titles = President of Comoros|President | leader_names = Col. Azali Assoumani | area_rank = 167th | area_magnitude = 1_E9 | area= 2,170 | percent_water = Negligible | population_estimate = 596,202 | population_estimate_year = 2002 | population_estimate_rank = 158th | population_census= n/a| population_census_year= n/a | population_density = 275 | population_density_rank = 275 | GDP_PPP_year = n/a | GDP_PPP = n/a | GDP_PPP_rank = n/a | GDP_PPP_per_capita = n/a | GDP_PPP_per_capita_rank = n/a | sovereignty_type = Independence | established_events = Declared<br/>Recognised | established_dates = From France<br/>1975<br/>1975 | currency = Comorian franc | currency_code = KMF | time_zone= | utc_offset= +3 | time_zone_DST= observed? | utc_offset_DST= ? | cctld= .km | calling_code = 269 | footnotes = }} == History == ''Main article: History of Comoros'' Over the centuries, the islands of Comoros were invaded by a succession of diverse groups from the coast of Africa, the Persian Gulf, Indonesia, and Madagascar. Portugal|Portuguese explorers visited the archipelago in 1505. Between 1841 and 1912, France established Colonialism|colonial rule and placed the islands under the administration of the governor general of Madagascar. Later, French settlers, French-owned companies, and wealthy Arab merchants established a plantation-based economy that now uses about one-third of the land for export crops. Agreement was reached with France in 1973 for Comoros to become independent in 1978. On July 6, 1975, however, the Comorian parliament passed a resolution declaring independence. The deputies of Mayotte, which stayed under French control, abstained. In two referendums, in December 1974 and February 1976, the population of Mayotte voted against independence from France (by 63.8% and 99.4% respectively). In 1997, the islands of Anjouan and Moheli declared their independence from Comoros. A subsequent attempt by the government to reestablish control over the rebellious islands by force failed, and presently the African Union is brokering negotiations to effect a reconciliation. == Politics == ''Main article: Politics of Comoros'' The political situation in Comoros has been extremely fluid since the country's independence in 1975, subject to the volatility of coups and political insurrection. Colonel Azali Assoumani seized power in a bloodless coup in April 1999, overthrowing Interim President Tadjiddine Ben Said Massounde, who himself had held the office since the strange death of democratically elected President Mohamed Taki Abdoulkarim in November, 1998. In May 1999, Azali decreed a constitution that gave him both executive and legislative powers. Bowing somewhat to international criticism, Azali appointed a civilian Prime Minister, Bainrifi Tarmidi, in December 1999; however, Azali retained the mantle of Head of State and army Commander. In December 2000, Azali named a new civilian Prime Minister, Hamada Madi, and formed a new civilian Cabinet. On February 17, 2000, representatives of the government, the Anjouan separatists, the political opposition, and civil society organizations signed a "Framework Accord for Reconciliation in Comoros," brokered by the Organization for African Unity (OAU). The accord called to develop a "New Comorian Entity" with a new constitution. The constitution gives Moheli, Anjouan and Grande Comore the right to govern most of their own affairs with their own presidents. In addition, a federal president and parliament sit on the largest island, Grande Comore. This federal presidency is rotated between the islands' presidents. Comoros legislative election, 2004|General elections were held in 2004, in which federal president Azali suffered a major setback by only winning 6 of the 18 seats in the National assembly, the other going to the supporters of the presidents of the semi-autonomous islands. == Geography == Image:Cn-map.png|framed|Map of Comoros ''Main article: Geography of Comoros'' Comoros is formed by three of the four main islands in the Comoros Archipelago; the fourth is the French territory of Mayotte. The archipelago is situated in the Indian Ocean, between the African coast and Madagascar. The interior of the volcanic islands vary from steep mountains to low hills. Le Karthala (2316 m) on Grand Comore is an active volcano. == Economy == ''Main article: Economy of Comoros'' Comoros is one of the poorest countries in the world. Agriculture, including fishing, hunting, and forestry, is the leading sector of the economy. Comoros has inadequate transportation system, 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 contributes 40% to Gross domestic product|GDP, employs 80% of the labor force, and provides most of the exports. The government is struggling 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. == Demographics == ''Main article: Demographics of Comoros'' The Comorians inhabiting Grande Comore, Anjouan, and Moheli (86% of the population) share African-Arab origins. Islam is the dominant religion, and Koranic schools for children reinforce its influence. Although Arab culture is firmly established throughout the archipelago, a substantial minority of the citizens of Mayotte (the Mahorais) are Catholic and have been strongly influenced by French culture. The most common language is Shikomor, a Swahili dialect. French language|French, Arabic language|Arabic and Malagasy also are spoken. About 57% of the population is literate in the Latin alphabet, more with the Arabic alphabet. == Culture == ''Main article: Culture of Comoros'' ''See also:'' *Music of Comoros *Islam in Comoros *Holidays in Comoros *Comorian language == Miscellaneous topics == *Communications in Comoros *Transportation in Comoros *Military of Comoros *Foreign relations of Comoros *List of Presidents of Comoros == External links == *[http://www.state.gov/r/pa/ei/bgn/5236.htm U.S. State Dep. Background on Comoros] *[http://www.chez.com/prc/ Republican party of Comoros] *[http://www.ksu.edu/sasw/comoros/comoros.html The islands of Comoros] *[http://www.irinnews.org/report.asp?ReportID=40804&SelectRegion=Southern_Africa Report from IRIN (UN office for the coördination of Humanitarian Affairs)] *[http://www.comoros-online.com www.comoros-online.com - First information website on Comoros - Association MWEZINET "La passion des Comores"] *[http://www.cia.gov/cia/publications/factbook/geos/cn.html CIA World Factbook - ''Comoros''] *[http://lcweb2.loc.gov/frd/cs/kmtoc.html Library of Congress Country Study - ''Comoros''] *[http://www.al-bab.com/arab/countries/comoros.htm Arab Gateway - ''Comoros''] *[http://search.looksmart.com/p/browse/us1/us317836/us317916/us559898/us559899/us10065675/us559911/ LookSmart - ''Comoros''] directory category *[http://dmoz.org/Regional/Africa/Comoros/ Open Directory Category - ''Comoros''] *[http://dir.yahoo.com/Regional/Countries/Comoros/ Yahoo! - ''Comoros''] directory category *[http://www.willgoto.com/categories.aspx?Destination=9&Langue=1 Willgoto Comoros] Travel guide and web directory {{Africa}} Category:Comoros|* Category:Comoros archipelago Category:Arab League Category:Island nations Category:African Union member states ar:جزر القمر bn:কোমোরোস ca:Comores de:Komoren et:Komoorid es:Comoras eo:Komoroj fa:کومور fr:Comores ko:코모로 id:Komoro ia:Comoras it:Comore he:קומורו lv:Komoru salas lt:Komorai ms:Comoros nl:Comoren nds:Komoren ja:コモロ no:Komorene pl:Komory pt:Comores ru:Коморские острова sa:कोमोरोस sk:Komory sl:Komori fi:Komorit sv:Komorerna uk:Коморскі острови zh:葛摩 First page | Prev | Next | Last page | This article on Comoros is licensed under the GNU Free Documentation License. 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