These islands are surprisingly uncorrupted by tourism, but you can still find places to stay comfortably. There are many empty beaches and just a few very expensive resorts on the Comoros which used to be governed from France. Mayotte continues to be, not having joined Comoros in independence. There have been strikes which have turned violent at times in the islands as Comoros still claims Mayotte, but so far Mayotte wants to be governed from France and is separate. It would be best to check with your country’s travel advisories to see if travel to the Islands is advised against. The people of the islands are beginning to try to help the local turtles, of three species which used to lay their eggs here only one remains, the green turtle. The people are friendly, honest and polite. Both ‘countries’ are mostly Muslim and appropriate attention to dress is advised. Settled by Maylay Polynesians, then Africans, Arabic peoples and Shirazians due to being found in the Indian Ocean, these islands have a mix now of Malagasy, Arabic and Persian peoples, with Mayotte, having a minority of permanent French residents. While visiting the islands, you can laze on the Grande Comore beaches of Itsandra, Galawa, and Bouni. Visit the turtle reserve off the Southern coast of Mohéli. Hike up Mount Karthala on Grande Comore, or visit the quirky village of Moya on AnjouanStay.

Location & Climate
Located below the equator in the western Indian Ocean the islands have a maritime tropical climate. This includes the islands of Big Comoros, Anjouan and Moheli (as Mayotte Island is still a French possesion). The wet season is from October to April, the predominant northerly winds of the Indian Ocean bring moist, warm air to the region. Heaviest rainfall occurs during the period from December to April. Dry Season From May to September with southerly wind, cooler and drier. Temperatures in the islands average around 19°C.

Comoros Air Services provides air flights between the islands of the Republic. A number of small ships, motorized and sailing, carry passengers between the islands. This trip may take as little as four hours via the newest and largest of the motorized vessels.

Mayotte offers real camping-villages. All the attractions of life in the open air, natural conviviality, a free and easy life are available here with all the comfort of a holiday village which also includes services, entertainment, and activities. Mayotte is very well situated, in a perfect tourist stop where a bath can take many forms. You can choose to bathe in the vast and calm lake of Biscarosse, or in one of the beautiful resort swimming pools. Or take a tonic bath in the waves of Atlantic Ocean. In Mayotte you can breathe the air of the pine forest of the Landes, a forest where the smell of pines stimulates you to walk or cycle far from the noise of the busy roads. This resort paradise offers everything that you, your family, and freinds are looking for shops, restaurants, night clubs, cinemas, museums, shows and many other things. Unless you prefer to move as little as possible. In that case you'll see that Mayotte provides all the peace that you need.

Leisure is a fishing net filled with ideas. Take a holiday here on the waterside, or a holiday of conditioning. Space, greenery, vast lakes, ocean, forests provide a tidal wave of enjoyment. Walk, cycle, tan, here you can glide from activity to activity, or inactivity. Everyday, tournaments and competitions of paddle-tennis, volleyball, archery, table tennis, and French bowls are available to the interested competitor. You can also go jogging along Lake Biscarrosse , cycle in the cool pine forest, play water polo, or do some aerobics . Mayotte has many aquatic activities to offer aswell, windsurfing and surfing, to name a few.

Everything is genuine in the Landes and in Biscarrosse
The Landes offers a great deal of natural sights. You'll discover a welcoming and preserved nature with vast luminous spaces where the animals can live quietly and a rich Flora. It is a place where men live in harmony with a slightly 'tamed' nature. In this nature you can enjoy the marked out paths, on foot or bike, and discover the local traditions : fishing, hunting, wood workmanship, farms. And all around you the fresh lake water or the ocean waves invite you to swim, dive, surf or sail . On the other side is culture. In Mayotte, the people have preserved many traditions: cow races, 'tchanques' (typical Landes feast), stilts walking, and of course the local cuisine :'garbure' soup, 'magret', 'foie gras', and ragout of roasted game all washed down with the regional wine.

You'll come across legends in 'l'Orme de biscarrosse' and you'll see amazing villages and tresors :the village of the Pays de Born, Ychoux, Mezos. The lacustrian museum of Sanguinet and the museum of the marine aviation in Biscarrosse. A little bit further away you can visit the wooden arenas of Lit-et-Mixte, the 'Parc Naturel' of the Landes de Gascogne region… And of course the daily pleasures such as the colourful markets and the traditional feasts.

Location: Southern Africa, island in the Mozambique Channel, about one-half of the way from northern Madagascar to northern Mozambique

Area-comparative: slightly more than twice the size of Washington, DC

Coastline: 185.2 km

Climate: tropical; marine; hot, humid, rainy season during northeastern monsoon (November to May); dry season is cooler (May to November)

Terrain: generally undulating, with deep ravines and ancient volcanic peaks

Geography—note: part of Comoro Archipelago

Population: 149,336 (July 1999 est.)

at birth: 1.03 male(s)/female

under 15 years: 1 male(s)/female

15-64 years: 1.2 male(s)/female

at birth: 1.03 male(s)/female

65 years and over: 0.97 male(s)/female

total population: 1.1 male(s)/female (1999 est.)

Nationality:
noun: Mahorais (singular and plural)
adjective: Mahoran

Ethnic groups: N/A

Religions: Muslim 99%, Christian (mostly Roman Catholic)

Languages: Mahorian (a Swahili dialect), French

Country name:
conventional long form: Territorial Collectivity of Mayotte
conventional short form: Mayotte

Capital: Mamoutzou

Constitution: 28 September 1958 (French Constitution)

Legal system: French law

Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal

Diplomatic representation in the US: none - (territorial collectivity of France)

Diplomatic representation from the US: none - (territorial collectivity of France)

Flag description: the flag of France is used

Economy—overview: Economic activity is based primarily on the agricultural sector, including fishing and livestock raising. Mayotte is not self-sufficient and must import a large portion of its food requirements, mainly from France. The economy and future development of the island are heavily dependent on French financial assistance, an important supplement to GDP. Mayotte's remote location is an obstacle to the development of tourism.

Industries: newly created lobster and shrimp industry

Agriculture—products: vanilla, ylang-ylang (perfume essence), coffee, copra

Exports—commodities: ylang-ylang (perfume essence), vanilla, copra

Imports—commodities: building materials, machinery and transportation equipment, metals, chemicals, rice, clothing, flour

Currency: 1 French franc (F) = 100 centimes

Exchange rates: French francs (F) per US$1—5.65 (January 1999), 5.8995 (1998), 5.8367 (1997), 5.1155 (1996), 4.9915 (1995), 5.5520 (1994)

Telephone system: small system administered by French Department of Posts and Telecommunications
domestic: N/A
international: microwave radio relay and HF radiotelephone communications to Comoros and other international connections

Railways: 0 km

Highways:
total: 93 km
paved: 72 km
unpaved: 21 km

Ports and harbors: Dzaoudzi

Airports: 1 (1998 est.)

Military branches: defense is the responsibility of France. Small contingent of French forces stationed on the island