Tag Archives: Study in Comoros

The archipelago of Comoros is located in the Mozambique channel, in the Indian Ocean; consists of three main islands, which are Njazidja (Grande Comore), Nzwani (Anjouan), Mwali (Mohéli) and numerous islets (for information on the physical geography, population and history of the island, see the archipelago of the Comoros). The islands are the emerged part of huge volcanic buildings, whose base lies thousands of meters under the sea and whose formation, probably dating back to the Cenozoic era, was due to the subsequent superposition of lava flows emitted by volcanoes in subsequent periods. The Comoros are one of the poorest states in the world due to scarce underground resources and an underdeveloped transport system. In the past, the economy was based on fishing, the production of spices and commercial traffic, given the strategic position between the continent and Madagascar. After independence from France, the country has never managed to become self-sufficient and, at the beginning of the 21st century, it still has to depend on financial aid granted by foreign countries. According to COUNTRYAAH, Comoros is a nation in Eastern Africa, the capital city of which is Moroni. The latest population of Comoros is 869,612. REMZFAMILY: Lists and descriptions of main religions and beliefs in Comoros, including religion demographics and statistics on Christianity, Islam, Judaism, etc.

THE STATE
The archipelago, which since 2004 has taken the name of Union of the Comoros, is a federal republic, which became independent from France in 1975 (only the island of Mayotte has chosen to remain united with France). Under the new Constitution of 2002, the result of an agreement that put an end to years of authoritarian regimes and coups d’etat, the presidency is entrusted in rotation to one of the islands, the federal president is elected every 4 years. Some members of the federal parliament are elected by direct suffrage, while others are appointed by the regional assemblies. Each island elects its own president and its own legislative assembly. The judicial system is based on French and Muslim law, at its top is the High Council of the Republic. The death penalty is in effect for murder offenses. The defense of the country is entrusted to the army made up of about a thousand troops. Education is compulsory and free between the ages of 7 and 16. Primary education lasts 6 years, while secondary education lasts 7 (divided into two cycles, one of 4 years and the other of 3). Children can also receive basic education in Koranic schools which provide the foundations of the Islamic faith. The illiteracy rate in the country is still very high: in 2007 it turned out to be 24.9%.
ENVIRONMENT
The islands’ fertile volcanic soil favors the growth of abundant vegetation. Beyond the coastal areas, where mangrove forests predominate , stretches of coconut palms, mangoes and banana trees. Continuing, in the mountainous areas, the tropical forest develops, rich in vegetation such as gorse, lichens, heather, palm trees, tree ferns, lianas, epiphytic orchids, which grow on the highest peaks characterized by semi-darkness and high humidity. The fauna of the islands is mainly marine. In the waters of the archipelago they were found some specimens of Celacantidi (coelacanth), a rare primitive fish whose existence dates back to ca. 410 million years ago. Deforestation and erosion of the soil are the main problems that the Comoros islands have to face. The degradation and impoverishment of the land are the consequence of cultivation on the slopes of the mountains without adequate terracing structures. In addition, indiscriminate fishing and tourism are endangering the biodiversity of the islands and in particular the coral reefs of the ocean. Protected areas are 18.1% of the national territory and the only marine park is that of Mohéli established in 2001 as a project for the protection of the environment in a collaboration that sees the government united with local populations.