Short facts about the geography of Comoros

Location:

Southern Africa, group of islands in 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:

exclusive economic zone:  200 NM territorial sea:  12 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% permanent crops:  10% permanent pastures:  7% forests and woodland:  18% other:  30% (1993 est.)

Irrigated land:

NA sq km

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

Source: World Factbook