Outline of Comoros

See also: Index of Comoros-related articles

The Union of the Comoros is a sovereign island nation located in the Indian Ocean off the eastern coast of Africa on the northern end of the Mozambique Channel between northern Madagascar and northeastern Mozambique.[1] The nearest countries to the Comoros are Mozambique, Tanzania, Madagascar, and the Seychelles. At 2,235 km² (863 sq mi)[2] the Comoros is the third smallest African nation by area; and with a population estimated at 798,000 it is the sixth smallest African nation by population (though it has one of the highest population densities in Africa), and is the southern most member state of the Arab League. Its name derives from the Arabic word qamar ("moon").[3]

The country officially consists of the four islands in the volcanic Comoros archipelago: Ngazidja (French: Grande Comore), Mwali (French: Mohéli), Nzwani (French: Anjouan), and Mahoré (French: Mayotte), as well as many smaller islands.[4][5] However, the government of the Union of the Comoros (or its predecessors since independence) has never administered the island of Mayotte, which France considers an overseas community and still administers. Since Mayotte was the only island in the archipelago that voted against independence from France, and France has vetoed United Nations Security Council resolutions that would affirm Comorian sovereignty over the island,[6][7] control was never passed to the Comoros.

The country is notable for its diverse culture and history, as a nation formed at the crossroads of many civilizations. It has three official languages—Comorian (Shikomor), Arabic, and French, and it is the only state to be a member of each of the African Union, Francophonie, Organisation of Islamic Cooperation, Arab League, and Indian Ocean Commission, among other international organizations. However it has had a troubled history since independence in 1975, marked by an inordinate number of coups d'état.

The following outline is provided as an overview of and topical guide to Comoros:

Contents

General reference

Geography of Comoros

Main article: Geography of Comoros

Environment of Comoros

Natural geographic features of Comoros

Regions of Comoros

Main article: Regions of Comoros

Ecoregions of Comoros

Main article: Ecoregions in Comoros

Administrative divisions of Comoros

None

Municipalities of Comoros

Demography of Comoros

Main article: Demographics of Comoros

Government and politics of Comoros

Main article: Government of Comoros and Politics of Comoros

Branches of government

Executive branch of the government of Comoros

Legislative branch of the government of Comoros

Judicial branch of the government of Comoros

Foreign relations of Comoros

Main article: Foreign relations of Comoros

International organization membership

The Union of the Comoros is a member of:[1]

Law and order in Comoros

Main article: Law of Comoros

Military of Comoros

Main article: Military of Comoros

Local government in Comoros

History of Comoros

Main article: History of Comoros, Timeline of the history of Comoros, and Current events of Comoros

Culture of Comoros

Main article: Culture of Comoros

Art in Comoros

Sports in Comoros

Main article: Sports in Comoros

Economy and infrastructure of Comoros

Main article: Economy of Comoros

Education in Comoros

Main article: Education in Comoros

Health in Comoros

Main article: Health in Comoros

See also

Main article: Comoros


Comorian language

References

  1. ^ a b "Comoros". The World Factbook. United States Central Intelligence Agency. July 13, 2009. https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/cn.html. Retrieved July 23, 2009. 
  2. ^ "UN Demographic Yearbook" (PDF). http://unstats.un.org/unsd/demographic/products/dyb/DYB2003/Table03.pdf. 
  3. ^ "Comores Online.com - reference to the history of the name". http://www.comores-online.com/mwezinet/histoire/islandsofthemoon.htm. 
  4. ^ The first UN General Assembly Resolution regarding the matter, "Question of the Comorian island of Mayotte (PDF)," United Nations General Assembly Resolution A/RES/31/4, (21 October 1976) states "the occupation by France of the Comorian island of Mayotte constitutes a flagrant encroachment on the national unity of the Comorian State, a Member of the United Nations," rejecting the French-administered referendums and condemning French presence in Mayotte.
  5. ^ As defined by the Organization of African Unity, the Movement of Non-Aligned Countries, the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation, and the United Nations General Assembly: the most recent UN General Assembly Resolution regarding the matter, "Question of the Comorian island of Mayotte," United Nations General Assembly Resolution A/RES/49/18, (6 December 1994) states "the results of the referendum of 22 December 1974 were to be considered on a global basis and not island by island,...Reaffirms the sovereignty of the Islamic Federal Republic of the Comoros over the island of Mayotte". Several resolutions expressing similar sentiments were passed between 1977 (31/4) and 1994 (49/18).
  6. ^ "Subjects of UN Security Council Vetoes". Global Policy Forum. http://www.globalpolicy.org/security/membship/veto/vetosubj.htm. Retrieved 2008-03-27. 
  7. ^ "Article 33" (PDF). UN Treaty. http://untreaty.un.org/cod/repertory/art33/english/rep_supp5_vol2-art33_e.pdf. 
  8. ^ The only glaciers in Africa are on Mt Kenya (in Kenya), on Kilimanjaro (in Tanzania), and in the Ruwenzori Mountains (which are located in Uganda and the Democratic Republic of the Congo). See Proceedings of the Riederalp Workshop, September 1978; Actes de l'Atelier de Riederalp, septembre 1978): IAHS-AISH Publ. no. 126, 1980.

External links

Wikimedia Atlas of Comoros

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