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Location:
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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
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Geographic coordinates:
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12 10 S, 44 15 E
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Map references:
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Africa
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Area:
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total: 2,170 sq km
water: 0 sq km
land: 2,170 sq km
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Area - comparative:
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slightly more than 12 times the size of Washington, DC
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Land boundaries:
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0 km
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Coastline:
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340 km
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Maritime claims:
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exclusive economic zone: 200 NM
territorial sea: 12 NM
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Climate:
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tropical marine; rainy season (November to May)
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Terrain:
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volcanic islands, interiors vary from steep mountains to low hills
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Elevation extremes:
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lowest point: Indian Ocean 0 m
highest point: Le Kartala 2,360 m
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Natural resources:
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NEGL
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Land use:
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arable land: 34.98%
permanent crops: 17.94%
other: 47.08% (1998 est.)
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Irrigated land:
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NA sq km
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Natural hazards:
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cyclones possible during rainy season (December to April); Le Kartala on Grand Comore is an active volcano
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Environment - current issues:
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soil degradation and erosion results from crop cultivation on slopes without proper terracing; deforestation
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Environment - international agreements:
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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
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Geography - note:
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important location at northern end of Mozambique Channel
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