Comoros Geography
LocationSouthern Africa, group of islands at the northern mouth of the Mozambique Channel, about two-thirds of the way between northern Madagascar and northern Mozambique
Geographic coordinates
12 10 S, 44 15 E
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
territorial sea: 12 nm
exclusive economic zone: 200 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: Le Kartala 2,360 m
Natural resources
NEGL
Land use
arable land: 35.87%
permanent crops: 23.32%
other: 40.81% (2001)
Irrigated land
NA sq km
Natural hazards
cyclones possible during rainy season (December to April); Le 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, Ship Pollution, Wetlands
signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements
Geography - note
important location at northern end of Mozambique Channel
