Grande Comore

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Ile Autonome de Grande Comore^{[citation needed]}
Ngazidja

Autonomous Island of Grande Comore^{[citation needed]}

Capital
(and largest city) Moroni

Official languages Comorian (Shingadzija dialect), Arabic, French

Government Autonomous Island

- President Mohamed Abdoulwahab

Area

- Total 1,148 km²
443 sq mi

- Water (%) negligible

Population

- 2006 estimate 316,600

- 2003 census 295,700

Currency Comorian franc (KMF)

Time zone EAT (UTC+3)

- Summer (DST) not observed (UTC+3)

Internet TLD

.km

Calling code +269

Grande Comore (officially called Ngazidja and also known as Ngasidja) is an island in the Indian Ocean off the coast of Africa. It is the largest island in the Comoros nation. Most of its population is of the Comorian ethnic group. Its population as of 2006 is about 316,600. The island's capital is Moroni, which is also the national capital. According to the constitution of 2002, it is governed by an elected President, as are the other islands, with the federal government being much reduced in power.

For several centuries, Grande Comore was divided into more than a dozen sultanates, including Bambao, Itsandra, Mitsamihuli, Bajini, Hambu, Washili, Hamahame, Mbude, Hamvu and LaDombe. The sultans were also known as falmes. In 1886 the ruler of Bambao, Saidi Ali ibn Saidi Omar, united the sultanates of Grande Comore into the state of Njazidja, with the other sultanates maintaining autonomy. That same year, France established a protectorate over the island. In 1893 Saidi Ali went into exile. In 1911 France annexed the island and the sultanates were abolished. In 1975 Grande Comore federated with Anjouan and Mohéli to form the nation of Comoros.

In 1997 the Comoros nation began to fall apart as Anjouan and Moheli seceded. Grande Comore became the only island under federal control. By 2002, however, Grande Comore was reunited with the other islands under the new constitution. Abdou Soule Elbak was elected President of Grande Comore in May 2002. He received only 17% of the vote in the first round, coming in first place, and received 60% of the vote in the runoff. He remains in his post, but new elections are due to be held on Grande Comore and the other islands in July 2007. He remained in his post until the July 2007 elections, at which point Mohamed Abdoulwahab won the island's presidency.