Located in a strategic position at the northern end of the Mozambique Channel, the Comoro Islands once played a major role in a thriving world economy of the western Indian Ocean. The archipelago arose from the seabed of the western Indian Ocean as the result of volcanic activity. The four major islands: Ngazidja (Grande Comore), Mwali (Moheli), Nzwani (Anjouan), and Maore (Mayotte), are of varying age with distinct topograhical characteristics. Mayotte, the oldest of the islands, is closest to Madagascar and is highly eroded with slow, meandering streams. Ngazidja, the youngest of the islands is closest to Africa and has a massive, active volcano. Seismic activity has increased dramatically since 2000 and experts are concerned that a very violent eruption may occur in the near future, possibly as early as September, 2003.
Population
768,000 (UN, 2003)
Area
2,230 sq.km
Ethnicity/ Race
Antalote, Cafre, Makoa, Oimatsaha, Sakalava
Major Languages
Arabic (official), French (official), Comoran (a blend of Swahili and Arabic)
