Comoros Travel Guide
Total Area:2170 sq km Land Borders: islands
Population:690,948
Life Expectancy: 62 years HIV % Total Poulation:n/a
Ethnic Groups: Antalote, Cafre, Makoa, Oimatsaha, Sakalava
Languages:Arabic (official), French (official), Shikomoro (a blend of Swahili and Arabic)
President:Ahmed Abdallah SAMBI GDP - Per Capita: $600
Comoros has endured 19 coups or attempted coups since gaining independence from France in 1975. In 1997, the islands of Anjouan and Moheli declared independence from Comoros. In 1999, military chief Col. AZALI seized power. He pledged to resolve the secessionist crisis through a confederal arrangement named the 2000 Fomboni Accord. In December 2001, voters approved a new constitution and presidential elections took place in the spring of 2002. Each island in the archipelago elected its own president and a new union president took office in May 2002.