Grande Comore

Autonomous Island of Grande Comore[citation needed] Île Autonome de la Grande Comore[citation needed] Ngazidja
Capital (and largest city)		Moroni
Official language(s)		Comorian (Shingazidja dialect), Arabic, French
Government		Autonomous Island
-	President	Mohamed Abdoulwahab
Area
-	Total	1,148 km2  443 sq mi
-	Water (%)	negligible
Population
-	2006 estimate	316,600
-	2003 census	295,700
Currency		Comorian franc (KMF)
Time zone		EAT (UTC+3)
-	Summer (DST)	not observed (UTC+3)
Internet TLD		.km
Calling code		269

Grande Comore (officially called Ngazidja) is an island in the Indian Ocean off the coast of Africa. It is the largest island in the Comoros nation. Most of its population is of the Comorian ethnic group. Its population as of 2006 is about 316,600. The island's capital is Moroni, which is also the national capital. The island is made up of two shield volcanoes, with Mount Karthala being the country's highest point at 2,361 m (7,746 ft) above sea level. According to the 2009 revision of the constitution of 2002, it is governed by an elected Governor, as are the other islands, with the federal government being much reduced in power.

Grande Comore Harbor Bay

History

Sultan Said Ali bin Said Omar of Grande Comore (1897)

For several centuries, Grande Comore was divided into a number of sultanates, including Bambao, Itsandra, Mitsamihuli, Mbajini, Hambuu, Washili, Hamahame, Mbwankuu, Mbude and Domba. The sultans were also known as mfaume. In 1886 the ruler of Bambao, Sultan Said Ali bin Said Omar, united the sultanates of Grande Comore into the state of Ngazidja, with the other sultanates maintaining autonomy. That same year, France established a protectorate over the island. In 1893 Sultan Said Ali was sent into exile on Réunion. In 1908 France annexed the island and the sultanates were abolished. In 1975 Grande Comore Anjouan and Mohéli declared independence as the nation of Comoros.

In 1997 the Comoros nation began to fall apart as Anjouan and Moheli seceded. Grande Comore became the only island under federal control. By 2002, however, Grande Comore was reunited with the other islands under the new constitution. Abdou Soule Elbak was elected President of Grande Comore in May 2002. He received only 17% of the vote in the first round, coming in first place, and received 60% of the vote in the runoff. He remained in his post until the July 2007 elections, at which point Mohamed Abdoulwahab won the island's presidency.

See also

Africa portal

External links

Media related to Grande Comore at Wikimedia Commons

• Official government website
• Comoros Island Elections Information

Coordinates: 11°35′S 43°20′E / 11.583°S 43.333°E / -11.583; 43.333