The Country & People of Comoros
Special Arab Files
This page contains links to sites in Comoros and Comoros related sites.
For Middle East, North Africa, Arab and regional information visit Arab Countries
Comoros, the, officially Union of the Comoros, republic (1995 est. pop. 549,000), 718 sq mi (1,862 sq km), occupying most of the Comoro Islands, an archipelago in the Indian Ocean, between the African coast and Madagascar. The capital is Moroni. It consists of three volcanic main islands—Njazidja, Nzwani, and Mwali (formerly Grande-Comore, Anjouan, and Moheli, respectively)—as well as numerous coral reefs and islets. A fourth island, Mayotte, is administered by France but claimed by the Comoros. Because of poor soil, lack of natural resources, and overpopulation, the islands have severe economic problems. Most of the population is engaged in agriculture, involving subsistence crops and the production of vanilla, copra, and essential oils for export. The people are of mixed African, Arab, Malay, and Indian descent. French and Arabic are the official languages, but most people speak a local blend of Swahili and Arabic. The state religion is Islam.
History
Originally populated by immigrants from Africa, Indonesia, and Arabia, the islands were ceded to the French between 1841 and 1909. After occupation by the British in World War II, they were granted administrative autonomy within the French Union (1946) and internal self-government (1968).
In 1974 the islands voted to become independent, except for Mayotte, which chose to remain under French control.
In 1978 the Comoros was proclaimed a federal Islamic republic; shortly thereafter, a one-party state was formed under Pres. Ahmed Abdallah Abderrahman.
After his assassination in 1989, Saïd Mohamed Djohar became interim president and subsequently won election in a multiparty contest. He survived an impeachment attempt in 1991 and several coup attempts.
In 1996 Mohamed Taki Abdulkarim was elected president.
In 1997 rebels took control of the islands of Nzwani and Mwali, declaring their secession and desire to return to French rule.
In 1999 the islands were granted greater autonomy. Following a coup in Apr. 1999, Col. Azali Assoumani assumed the Comoran presidency.
Nzwani voted (2000) for indepedence, but in 2001 forces favoring reuniting with the Comoros seized power there, and a Comoran referendum approved additional autonomy for the three islands. Azali resigned (2002) prior to new elections, and Prime Min. Hamada Madi became interim president. After two disputed elections, Azali was declared president in May 2002.
An accord in Dec., 2003, concerning the division of powers between the federal and island governments paved the way for legislative elections in 2004, in which parties favoring autonomy for the individual islands won a majority of the seats.
The 2006 presidential election was won by Ahmed Abdallah Mohamed Sambi, a Sunni cleric regarded as a moderate Islamist.
In Apr., 2007, the president of Nzwani, Mohamed Bacar, refused to resign as required by the constitutional courts and used his police forces to retain power, holding an illegal election in June, after which he was declared the winner. The moves were denounced by the central government and the African Union, but the central government lacked the forces to dislodge Bacar.
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Copyright (c) 2003 Columbia University Press.
Used by permission of Columbia University Press.
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About Comoros
General Information Also see Travel
- All Referer Earth & environment, history, literature & arts, people, places, plants & animals, religion, science & technology, sports & everyday life....
- Arab DataNet
Country profile, key facts, overview, economic review, political structure, sector analysis, investment, government, companies....
- ArabInfo Overview, government, history, links
- ArabNet Overview, history, geography, business, culture, government, transport, tour guide, links
- Atlapedia Geography, climate, people, demography, religion, education, modern history, currency, other information....
- BBC - Country Profile Overview, facts, leaders, media....
- Britannica.Com Country info, land, people, economy, society, government, history, culture, maps, statistics, links....
- CIA World Factbook Map, geography, people, government, economy, communications, transportation, military, issues
- Comoro Islands Geography, climate, population, language, music....
- Comoros Islands Comprehensive information.Country profile, islands & beyond, travel tips, currency, economy, population, climate, music....
- Country Reports Economy, defense, geography, government, people, anthem, map, news, weather, links....
- Encarta OnLine Info, land & resources, population, economy, government, history, other related items, links....
- Expedia Almanac, fast facts, communications, on business, health & safety, transportation, traveler's directory
- Info Please General info, map, geography, government, history, land & people....
- MweziNet +
Encyclopedia of Comoros Islands. Web magazine - economy, press, education, history, politics, society and traditions, literature, music....
- Nation By Nation Info, government, human rights, news, geography, history, people, links....
- Travel Notes Isalands info....
- US Department of State - Background Notes People, history, government, political conditions, economy, travel, business, foreign relations....
- US Library of Congress Everything you ever wanted to know about Comoros....
- Wikipedia + History, politics, geography, economics, demographics, culture, other topics....
- World66 General info, cities, history, people, economy, getting around, getting there, links....
Cities, Towns, Municipalities & Places
- Anjouan An autonomous island of the Union of Comoros
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- Cellular News Cellular coverage map, systems, frequencies....
- Comores-Online + The paradise for Comoros and Mayotte collectors - Philately, postcards, phonecards, maps, engravings....
- ethnologue Languages
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- World Clock Local time, sunrise, sunset, GMT offset, daylight saving....
- World Paper Money Paper currency since 1960
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- Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade Fact sheet (pdf) & travel information....
- Bilateral Relations with Japan Diplomatic, investment, economic cooperation, residents....
- Comoros and the IMF Position in the fund, reports....
- MBendi Business information, news, industries, events
- Muslim Trade Network Trade reference directory and guide....
- Organization of Islamic Countries + The most comprehensive database: statistical, economic and social
- US Department of Energy - Comoros Energy-related data, analysis & reports....
- World Bank Overview, news & events, data & statistics, publications & reports, development topics, projects & programs, Public Information Center
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- Banque Centrale de l'Union des Comores Banking and financial activities
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extensive database of more than 12,500 projects and tenders.
Updated on a daily basis with the latest business information in 14 countries in the Middle East
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- Public Places Small squares (bangwe)....
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- Comores Photos Beautiful photos of the Comoros
- Kalamu des îles
Une maison d'edition qui offre la possibilite a des jeunes auteurs, issus des Comores, Mayotte et des îles voisines de l'océan indien
- Kalamu des îles
- KomEdit Work for the development of literature written in the Comoros
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- Bedja Musique, infos, photos, videos
- Comores: Music Artists, bands, Traditional music
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- Dj Gabriel Un site de nouveautés et de découvertes musicales
- M'toro Chamou Artiste originaire de Mayotte, Comores
- La Musique Mahoraise Le site officiel de la musique mahoraise
- Maalesh Group + Traditional Comorian music....
- Mégaline Mayotte Musique culturelle et moderne
- Numbawani Musiques de Mayotte et de l'Océan Indien
Cultural, Scientific, Environmental, Sporting Entities & Info
- Action Comores To help alleviate the environmental problems of the Comores (our project is Livingstone's flying fox)
- Animal Info Threatened species, environmental and social data
- AquaStat Information on quantity and quality of freshwater and its availability
- Dinofish Coelacanth: The fish out of time.
- Lemuridae Lemurs are found only in Madagascar and the Comoro Islands....
- Mother Jones Dynamite fishing, coral mining, and farm runoff take a toll
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- Medi@log Association pour l education aux Comores
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- BBC Timeline A chronology of key events
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- World History Archives The history of the Union of Comoros Islands
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- Human Rights Watch +
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- Al-Watan The national newspaper
- Kashkazi Magazine
- Kweli Magazine
- La Gazette Weekly
- Le Matin Daily newspaper
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- AllAfrica.Com News plus, news wire....
- Comoros News New from World News Network....
- Comores Presse Comores Infos (archives)
- Rahachiri L'Information en ligne sur Mayotte
- Washington Post News & references
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- Kweli TV
- Radio Ocean Indien 100.5 MHZ FM STEREO
- ORTC Office Radio et Television des Comores
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- l'Assemblee de l'Union des Comores
- Conference of the Partners of the Union of the Comoros + A fundamental law in which each island enjoys a broad autonomy
- The Government of Anjouan + President, ministries, parliament, legislation, media centre, economy, Offshore Finance Authority, tourism, Anjouan
- President of the Comoros Union Official website - Government documents, information, directories....
- Comores Telecom Societe Nationale des Telecommunication
- Domain.KM Supplier of the domain names .km
- Permanent Mission to UN Les Comores, economie, tourisme, administration, chancelleries, presidence de la republique....
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- Comores Telecom Societe Nationale des Telecommunications
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- La Fédération des Associations Mahoraises de Métropole
- Societe Immobilière de Mayotte
Foreign Entities
- PCUC Programme de Codeveloppement Avec L'Uniom des Comores
- United Nations Le Programme des Nations Unies pour le developpement
- Vice-Rectorat de Mayotte Site officiel. Activites de cette institution et presentation des projets les projets de développement...
- World Health Organization Tobacco & health, socio-economic situation
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- Air Austral +
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- Comores Aviation International
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- Anjouan Online La perle des Comores
- Itsandra Plongée + Tourism & diving in Comoros
- Mayotte Online Le Portail de l'île au Lagon
- Mayotte Tourisme Site du comite du tourisme
- Moheli Tourisme Une nature preservee
- Reve Bleu Centre de plongee (Diving)
- Lonely Planet Travel information, maps, photos, background historical and cultural information....
- Travel Guide General & trave info, money, duty free, health, accommodation, visas....
- World Travel Guide Travel information, regions & places....
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- Les Baobabs Chambres et table d'hôte à Mayotte
- Isijiva Hotel, bar, restaurant - Mayotte
- Moheli Laka Lodge + A beach resort in the middle of the magnificent National Marine Park of Moheli in Nioumachoua
- Relais des Indes + Lodge and B&B - Mayotte
- Villa Jessica + Cosy little guesthouse - Grande Comore Island
- Inn26 Hotels and motels directory, local info....
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- Foreign & Commonwealth Office Travel information, country advise, latest travel updates....
- Travel Document Systems Passports, visas, travel documents
- US Consular Information Warning, visa, security, health, crime/drug penalties....
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- Weather Underground Temperature, humidity, pressure and conditions by city
- Yahoo Weather By city. Forcast, sunrise, sunset, humidity, wind, dewpoint....
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Gateways to Comoros, Classifieds
- Agenda des Comores Le premier portail de l'Union des Comores
- Comores-Online +
- Malango Mayotte Directories, information, services, classified ads, weather, news
- Mayannonce Premier site mahorais exclusivement consacré aux petites annonces locales
About Comoros
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For personal pages, private companies & entities, un-categorized and other sites, please visit
Add URL or View Comoros Links Page
Recommended reading:
Madagascar & Comoros
By Paul Greenway, Deanna Swaney
Lonely Planet Travel Survival Kit
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Created 1 November 2000. Last updated 17 March 2009
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