Climate: tropical marine; rainy season (November to May)
Terrain: volcanic islands, interiors vary from steep mountains to
low hills
lowest point: Indian Ocean 0 m
highest point: Mount Kartala 2,360 m
Natural resources: negligible
Land use:
arable land: 35%
permanent crops: 8%
meadows and pastures: 7%
forest and woodland: 16%
other: 34%
Irrigated land: NA sq km
Environment:
current issues: soil degradation and erosion results from crop
cultivation on slopes without proper terracing; deforestation
natural hazards: cyclones and tsunamis possible during rainy season
(December to April); Mount Kartala on Grand Comore is an active
volcano
international agreements: party to - Biodiversity, Climate Change,
Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer
Protection; signed, but not ratified - Desertification
Geographic note: important location at northern end of Mozambique
Channel
People ———
Population: 569,237 (July 1996 est.)
Age structure:
0-14 years: 48% (male 137,235; female 136,207)
15-64 years: 49% (male 138,447; female 142,058)
65 years and over: 3% (male 7,242; female 8,048) (July 1996 est.)