Geography of Comoros
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 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% (2005) |
Irrigated land: | NA |
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 |