Emily+L+Comoros+Cook+1A


 * Country || Size in sqr. miles || People per sqr. mile || Life expectancy (male) || Life expectancy (female) || Birth rate || Infant mortality rate || Adult literacy rate ||
 * Comoros || 863 || 825 || 63 || 67 || 35.7 || 67 || 75% ||
 * <span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt; line-height: normal; margin: 12pt 0in 0pt;">United States || <span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt; line-height: normal; margin: 12pt 0in 0pt;">3,794,083 || <span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt; line-height: normal; margin: 12pt 0in 0pt;">85 || <span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt; line-height: normal; margin: 12pt 0in 0pt;">77 || <span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt; line-height: normal; margin: 12pt 0in 0pt;">81 || <span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt; line-height: normal; margin: 12pt 0in 0pt;">13.8 || <span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt; line-height: normal; margin: 12pt 0in 0pt;">6 || <span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt; line-height: normal; margin: 12pt 0in 0pt;">99% ||

The yellow, white, red, and blue stripes represent Comoros’s three main islands; Grand Comore, Anjouan, and Moheli and a territory of France known as Mayotte. The green triangle to the left holds the Islamic symbol of a crescent moon and stars.

Original image: ' [|The Comoros] ' http://www.flickr.com/photos/24842486@N07/3432116899 by <span style="color: black; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt; line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">Political Leader <span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt; line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">Ahmed Abdallah Mohamed Sambi The official languages that are spoken in Comoros are French and Arabic, French is more generally used for government and official business. The Arabic script is traditionally used by Comorians and four and five year olds learn Arabic at Qur’anic schools. Most adults are able to read the Arabic alphabet though few are actually able to speak it. English is offered in schools and French is known by many Comorians but they only know some of it. Islamic religion and tradition play a major role in Comorian life as almost all Comorians are Sunni Muslims. Comorian Muslims pray five times a day and accept final word of Allah (God) is the Qur’an. Men in all towns or villages go to their largest mosques for the evening prayer on Fridays. Beliefs that are non-Islamic related are followed by many Comorians. Such as the belief in good and evil spirits and they wear charms called gris-gris to ward off evil spirits as well as hold ceremonies to bring out spirits. Foreigners are mostly Christian resulting in some Christian and Protestant churches in large towns and other beliefs are tolerated in the country. Comoros is the world’s leading exporter of ylang-ylang, an oil base for French perfumes giving the Comoros the nickname of the Perfume Islands. Comoros’s other exports include vanilla, cassava, bananas, cloves, coconuts, and cinnamon. About 80% of work force lies in agriculture with only 40% for the economy. Comoros doesn’t have any factories or productive businesses/industries and it’s economy relies on foreign help as it too is struggling in the overall worldwide economy. Brief History: In 1990 discoveries led to theories that Persians may have been the first inhabitants of the Comoros in 800’s when previous thoughts had been around Africans being the first settlers in the 1300’s. Arab slave traders came to the islands to use as holding areas and until then the population was small. The Africans created their own communities while the slave traders set up towns and the island were left alone besides some pirates and sailors. The “scramble for Africa” started up in 19th century and that’s when the French became interested in the islands after previously having occupied Madagascar. In the 1870’s a sultan from Grand Comore allied with the French and all four islands were under a French protectorate. Said Mohammed Cheik became president in 1958 and Comorians voted on remaining a French territory while remaining responsible for inner island affairs. Cheik had the capitol of Comoros moved from Mayotte to Moroni, Grand Comore in 1962. In 1974, the total number of votes for independence from France was 94% but 64% of the population on Mayotte voted to remain under control from France. Mayotte is still claimed by Comoros. Ahmed Abdallah was overthrown by a social visionary Ali Soilihi after only a few months in office. Frenchman Bob Denard assisted Soilihi in overthrowing Abdallah. Soilihi however Muslim nations were offended by his criticism over Islamic traditions, western donors looked poorly upon his economic policies, and Soilihi’s precise approach was strange and really different for the Comorian people. In 1978 Abdallah overthrew Soilihi with Denard’s help. Abdallah couldn’t contain order without Denard’s help and in 1989 Abdallah was murdered at his home and Denard led the country for a few weeks until France forced him to leave. In 1990 Said Mohammed Djohar was elected as president. Later Denard returned to help and France invaded, arresting Denard. Mohammed Taki took office in 1996 as president.