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Comoros Profile |
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Quick Facts About Comoros
Capital
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name: Moroni
geographic coordinates: 11 42 S, 43 14 E
time difference: UTC+3 (8 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time)
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Country Name
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conventional long form: Union of the Comoros
conventional short form: Comoros
local long form: Udzima wa Komori (Comorian); Union des Comores (French); Jumhuriyat al Qamar al Muttahidah (Arabic)
local short form: Komori (Comorian); Comores (French); Juzur al Qamar (Arabic)
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Dependency Status
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*
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Type of Government
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republic
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Background
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Comoros has endured more than 20 coups or attempted coups since gaining independence from France in 1975. In 1997, the islands of Anjouan and Moheli declared independence from Comoros. In 1999, military chief Col. AZALI seized power in a bloodless coup, and helped negotiate the 2000 Fomboni Accords power-sharing agreement in which the federal presidency rotates among the three islands, and each island maintains its own local government. AZALI won the 2002 presidential election, and each island in the archipelago elected its own president. AZALI stepped down in 2006 and President SAMBI was elected to office. In 2007, Mohamed BACAR effected Anjouan"s de-facto secession from the Union, refusing to step down in favor of fresh Anjouanais elections when Comoros" other islands held legitimate elections in July. The African Union (AU) initially attempted to resolve the political crisis by applying sanctions and a naval blockade on Anjouan, but in March 2008, AU and Comoran soldiers seized the island. The move was generally welcomed by the island"s inhabitants.
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Branches
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Army of National Development (AND): Comoran Security Force; Comoran Federal Police (2010)
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Age Structure
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0-14 years: 41.9% (male 162,767/female 161,487)
15-64 years: 55% (male 210,164/female 215,219)
65 years and over: 3.1% (male 10,757/female 13,013) (2010 est.)
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Languages
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Arabic (official), French (official), Shikomoro (a blend of Swahili and Arabic)
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Population
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773,407 (July 2010 est.)
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Religions
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Sunni Muslim 98%, Roman Catholic 2%
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Internet Users
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23,000 (2008)
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Area - Comparative
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slightly more than 12 times the size of Washington, DC
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Area
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total: 2,235 sq km
land: 2,235 sq km
water: 0 sq km
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Terrain
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volcanic islands, interiors vary from steep mountains to low hills
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Climate
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tropical marine; rainy season (November to May)
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Natural Hazards
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cyclones possible during rainy season (December to April); Le Karthala on Grand Comore is an active volcano
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Source:
CIA World Factbook |
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