Natural hazards: periodic cyclones
Environment—current issues: soil erosion results from
deforestation and overgrazing; desertification; surface water
contaminated with raw sewage and other organic wastes; several
species of flora and fauna unique to the island are endangered
Environment—international agreements:
party to: Biodiversity, Desertification, Endangered Species, Marine
Life Conservation, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection
signed, but not ratified: Climate Change, Law of the Sea
Geography—note: world's fourth-largest island; strategic location
along Mozambique Channel
People
Population: 14,873,387 (July 1999 est.)
Age structure:
0-14 years: 45% (male 3,356,104; female 3,279,056)
15-64 years: 52% (male 3,841,248; female 3,908,209)
65 years and over: 3% (male 234,549; female 254,221) (1999 est.)
Population growth rate: 2.8% (1999 est.)
Birth rate: 41.52 births/1,000 population (1999 est.)
Death rate: 13.56 deaths/1,000 population (1999 est.)