Location: | Southern 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 |
| Map references: | Africa |
| Area: | total: 2,170 sq km
water: 0 sq km
land: 2,170 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
Source: CIA World Factbook
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