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: Mount 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); Mount 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
signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements

Geography - note important location at northern end of Mozambique Channel

NOTE: The information regarding Comoros on this page is re-published from the 1998 World Fact Book of the United States Central Intelligence Agency. No claims are made regarding the accuracy of Comoros Geography 1998 information contained here. All suggestions for corrections of any errors about Comoros Geography 1998 should be addressed to the CIA.