| 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 : |
total: 2,170 sq km
land: 2,170 sq km
water: 0 sq km |
| Area - Comparative : |
slightly more than 12 times the size of Washington, DC |
| Coastline : |
340 km |
| Maritime Claims : |
territorial sea: 12 nm
exclusive economic zone: 200 nm |
| Climate : |
tropical marine; rainy season (November to May) |
| Terrain : |
volcanic islands, interiors vary from steep mountains to low hills |
| Elevation Extremes : |
lowest point: Indian Ocean 0 m
highest point: Le Kartala 2,360 m |
| Natural Resources : |
NEGL |
| Land Use : |
arable land: 35.87%
permanent crops: 23.32%
other: 40.81% (2001) |
| Natural Hazards : |
cyclones possible during rainy season (December to April); Le Kartala on Grand Comore is an active volcano |
| 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, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands
signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements |
| Geography - Note : |
Important location at northern end of Mozambique Channel. |
