Comoros Geography Profile 2008

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

Land boundaries

0 km

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% (2005)

Irrigated land

NA

Total renewable water resources

1.2 cu km (2003)

Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural)

total: 0.01 cu km/yr (48%/5%/47%)
per capita: 13 cu m/yr (1999)

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