Comoros

​ = Comoros = 

The Flag

The flag of Comoros, exhibits horizontal bands of yellow, white, red, and blue, which represent the nation's three main islands. Anjouan, Mohéli, and Grand Comore, as well as Mayotte, a territory of France in the Comoros Archipelago are the islands. On the left side of the flag, a solid green triangle contains the Islamic symbols of a crescent moon and stars.

CURRENT EVENT:

14 October 2009 (IRIN) - Designed to be safe havens in times of disaster, health facilities are vulnerable to upheaval when catastrophe strikes, according to the UN, which is focusing on hospital safety for International Day for Disaster Reduction.

Tourist Information U.S. citizens are urged not to travel to Comoros. Comoros has experienced frequent strikes and civil unrest, resulting in violent clashes between police and demonstrators. American citizens are therefore urged to avoid areas of demonstrations as much as possible, and to be extremely cautious if in the presence of a demonstration. Since the Spring of 2008, periodicly gas shortages have happened on the island and has slowed down travel since it has resulted in long gas lines. Also, sometimes running water and electricity is scarce. Even at the most expensive and nice hotels. Although foreign residents and visitors have not been targeted, the potential for more outbreaks of civil disorder is high, and Americans should have caution and good judgment, keep a low profile, and remain vigilant with regard to their security.



Background Comoros has endured more than 20 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 in a bloodless coup, and helped negotiate the 2000 Fomboni Accords power-sharing agreement in which the federal presidency rotates among the three islands, and each island maintains its own local government. AZALI won the 2002 Presidential election, and each island in the archipelago elected its own president. AZALI stepped down in 2006 and President SAMBI was elected to office. In 2007, BACAR effected Anjouan's de-facto secession from the Union, refusing to step down in favor of fresh Anjouanais elections when Comoros' other islands held legitimate elections in July. The African Union (AU) initially attempted to resolve the political crisis by applying sanctions and a naval blockade on Anjouan, but in March 2008, AU and Comoran soldiers seized the island. The move was generally welcomed by the island's inhabitants.


 * Location:** In the Indian Ocean
 * Area:** 2,171 sq. ft.
 * Borders:** In the Indian Ocean
 * Climate:** Tropical Marine
 * Ethinic Groups:** Antalote, Cafre, Makoa, Oimatsaha, Sakalava
 * Government Type:** Republic
 * Suffrage:** 18 years of age.
 * GDP per capita**: 1,993
 * Agriculture Products:** vanilla, cloves, ylang-ylang, perfume essences, copra, coconuts, bananas, cassava
 * Imports:** rice and other foodstuffs, consumer goods, petroleum products, cement, transport equipment
 * Religion:** Sunni Muslims
 * Terrain:** Rugged
 * Nautral Resources:** There are none.
 * Land Use:** arable land: 35.87% permanent crops: 23.32% other: 40.81% (2005)
 * Natural Hazards:** cyclones possible during rainy season (December to April); Le Karthala on Grand Comore is an active volcano
 * Environmental Issues:** soil degradation and erosion results from crop cultivation on slopes without proper terracing; deforestation
 * Languages:** French and Arabic
 * Capital:** Moroni
 * Leader:** Ahmed Abdallah Sambi
 * Military Expedtures:** 2.8%
 * Industries:** fishing, tourism, perfume distillation
 * Currency/Exchange Rate:** 361.4 Comoran franks are equal to a dollar.
 * Education:** French Model
 * Population:** 732,000
 * Population growth rate:** 2.8%
 * Net Migration Rate:** 0 migrants/1,000 population
 * Infant Mortality Rate:** 53 per 1,000 births
 * Life expectancy:** 62 Male/66 Female
 * Literacy:** Male 64%/ Female 64%
 * Independance:** France, 1975
 * Economic Overview:** One of the World's poorest countries
 * Unemployment:** 20%
 * Exports:** Ylang-ylang, vanilla, cloves, copra
 * Illicit Drugs:** NA
 * Internet Access:** 21,000

Culture It is essentially an Islamic country and the culture also revolves around the religion. Wedding ceremony occupies a major place in the **culture of Comoros**. The age of the groom is more than the bride. Comorian people mainly speak the Shikomoro language. However, French and Arabic are also spoken. The diverse culture of Comoros has made a place for itself among the most popular cultures of the whole world.

The country of Comoros also has a rich tradition of music. The music of Comoros shows an essential African influence and is popular all over the continent. The society is partially matriarchal, a tradition that still survives only in the continent of Africa.

Education Practically all children attend Quranic school for two or three years, starting around age five; there they learn the rudiments of the Islamic Faith and some classical Arabic. When rural children attend these schools, they sometimes move away from home and help the teacher work his land.France established a system of primary and secondary schools based on the French model, which remains largely in place. Comoran law requires all children to complete eight years of schooling between the ages of seven and fifteen. The system provides six years of primary education for students ages six to twelve, followed by seven years of secondary schoool. In recent years, enrollment has expanded greatly, particularly at the primary level.

Timeline
 * 1527-** Put on a map for the first time.
 * 1912-** Becomes of a French Colony administered from Madagascar
 * 1942** - British forces invade Comoros and Madagascar
 * 1947-** Becomes and overseas territory of France and is given representation in the French Parliment
 * 1961-** Given Political Independence
 * 1974-** Three islands making up Comoros vote for independence, but Mayotte votes to stay with France.
 * 1975-** The islands of Grande Comore, Moheli and Anjouan become independent with Ahmed Abdallah as the president.
 * 1976-** Abdallah is replaced by Ali Soilih, who tries to turn the country into a socialist republic.
 * 1978-** European mercenaries restore Abdallah to power.
 * 1989-** Abdallah is assassinated by European mercenaries.
 * 1990-** Said Mohamed Djohar is elected president.
 * 1995-** Djohar is killed in a coup led by the same European mercenaries who had assassinated Abdallah in 1989.
 * 1996-** Mohamed Abdulkarim Taki is elected president and drafts a constitution which extends the authority of the president and establishes Islam as the basis of law.
 * 1997-** The islands of Anjouan and Moheli declare independence from the Comoros.
 * 1998-** President Taki dies of a heart attack and is replaced by an acting president, Tadjidine Ben Said Massounde.
 * 2001-** Azali Assoumani says the country will return to civilian rule in 2002 after new institutions of government had been set up.





Citations: http://www.hartford-hwp.com/archives/36/080.html https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/cn.html http://online.culturegrams.com/world/world_country.php?contid=1&wmn=Africa&cid=36&cn=Comoros