Mayotte (2004) | Turks and Caicos Islands (2006) | |
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Administrative divisions | none (territorial collectivity of France) | none (overseas territory of the UK) |
Age structure | 0-14 years: 46.4% (male 43,301; female 42,934)
15-64 years: 51.9% (male 52,534; female 44,100) 65 years and over: 1.7% (male 1,579; female 1,578) (2004 est.) |
0-14 years: 31.9% (male 3,432/female 3,312)
15-64 years: 64.4% (male 7,155/female 6,457) 65 years and over: 3.8% (male 362/female 434) (2006 est.) |
Agriculture - products | vanilla, ylang-ylang (perfume essence), coffee, copra | corn, beans, cassava (tapioca), citrus fruits; fish |
Airports | 1 (2003 est.) | 8 (2006) |
Airports - with paved runways | total: 1
1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 (2004 est.) |
total: 6
1,524 to 2,437 m: 3 914 to 1,523 m: 1 under 914 m: 2 (2006) |
Airports - with unpaved runways | - | total: 2
under 914 m: 2 (2006) |
Area | total: 374 sq km
land: 374 sq km water: 0 sq km |
total: 430 sq km
land: 430 sq km water: 0 sq km |
Area - comparative | slightly more than twice the size of Washington, DC | 2.5 times the size of Washington, DC |
Background | Mayotte was ceded to France along with the other islands of the Comoros group in 1843. It was the only island in the archipelago that voted in 1974 to retain its link with France and forego independence. | The islands were part of the UK's Jamaican colony until 1962, when they assumed the status of a separate crown colony upon Jamaica's independence. The governor of The Bahamas oversaw affairs from 1965 to 1973. With Bahamian independence, the islands received a separate governor in 1973. Although independence was agreed upon for 1982, the policy was reversed and the islands remain a British overseas territory. |
Birth rate | 42.19 births/1,000 population (2004 est.) | 21.84 births/1,000 population (2006 est.) |
Budget | revenues: NA
expenditures: $73 million, including capital expenditures of NA (1991 est.) |
revenues: $47 million
expenditures: $33.6 million; including capital expenditures of $NA (1997-98 est.) |
Capital | Mamoutzou | name: Grand Turk (Cockburn Town)
geographic coordinates: 21 28 N, 71 08 W time difference: UTC-5 (same time as Washington, DC during Standard Time) daylight saving time: +1hr, begins first Sunday in April; ends last Sunday in October |
Climate | tropical; marine; hot, humid, rainy season during northeastern monsoon (November to May); dry season is cooler (May to November) | tropical; marine; moderated by trade winds; sunny and relatively dry |
Coastline | 185.2 km | 389 km |
Constitution | 28 September 1958 (French Constitution) | Turks and Caicos Islands Constitution Order 2006 (effective 9 August 2006) |
Country name | conventional long form: Territorial Collectivity of Mayotte
conventional short form: Mayotte |
conventional long form: none
conventional short form: Turks and Caicos Islands abbreviation: TCI |
Currency | euro (EUR) | - |
Death rate | 8.11 deaths/1,000 population (2004 est.) | 4.21 deaths/1,000 population (2006 est.) |
Debt - external | NA | $NA |
Dependency status | territorial collectivity of France | overseas territory of the UK |
Diplomatic representation from the US | none (territorial collectivity of France) | none (overseas territory of the UK) |
Diplomatic representation in the US | none (territorial collectivity of France) | none (overseas territory of the UK) |
Disputes - international | claimed by Comoros | have received Haitians fleeing economic and civil disorder |
Economic aid - recipient | $107.7 million; note - extensive French financial assistance (1995) | $4.1 million (1997) |
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. | The Turks and Caicos economy is based on tourism, fishing, and offshore financial services. Most capital goods and food for domestic consumption are imported. The US is the leading source of tourists, accounting for more than half of the annual 93,000 visitors in the late 1990s. Major sources of government revenue also include fees from offshore financial activities and customs receipts. |
Electricity - consumption | NA kWh | 4.65 million kWh (2003) |
Electricity - exports | - | 0 kWh (2003) |
Electricity - imports | - | 0 kWh (2003) |
Electricity - production | NA kWh | 5 million kWh (2003) |
Elevation extremes | lowest point: Indian Ocean 0 m
highest point: Benara 660 m |
lowest point: Caribbean Sea 0 m
highest point: Blue Hills 49 m |
Environment - current issues | NA | limited natural fresh water resources, private cisterns collect rainwater |
Ethnic groups | NA | black 90%, mixed, European, or North American 10% |
Exchange rates | euros per US dollar - 0.8860 (2003), 1.0626 (2002), 1.1175 (2001), 1.0854 (2000), 0.9386 (1999) | the US dollar is used |
Executive branch | chief of state: President Jacques CHIRAC of France (since 17 May 1995), represented by Prefect Jean-Paul KIHL (since 17 January 2005)
head of government: President of the General Council Younoussa BAMANA (since NA 1977) cabinet: NA elections: French president elected by popular vote for a five-year term; prefect appointed by the French president on the advice of the French Ministry of the Interior; president of the General Council elected by the members of the General Council for a six-year term |
chief of state: Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952), represented by Governor Richard TAUWHARE (since 11 July 2005)
head of government: Premier Michael Eugene MISICK (since 15 August 2003); note - the office of premier was created in the new constitution cabinet: Cabinet consists of the governor, the premier, six ministers appointed by the governor from among the members of the Legislative Council, and the attorney general elections: none; the monarch is hereditary; governor appointed by the monarch; following legislative elections, the leader of the majority party is appointed premier by the governor |
Exports | $3.44 million f.o.b. (1997) | NA bbl/day |
Exports - commodities | ylang-ylang (perfume essence), vanilla, copra, coconuts, coffee, cinnamon | lobster, dried and fresh conch, conch shells |
Exports - partners | France 80%, Comoros 15%, Reunion (2000) | US, UK (2004) |
Fiscal year | calendar year | calendar year |
Flag description | the flag of France is used | blue, with the flag of the UK in the upper hoist-side quadrant and the colonial shield centered on the outer half of the flag; the shield is yellow and contains a conch shell, lobster, and cactus |
GDP | purchasing power parity - $466.8 million (2003 est.) | - |
GDP - composition by sector | agriculture: NA
industry: NA services: NA (2001 est.) |
agriculture: NA%
industry: NA% services: NA% |
GDP - per capita | purchasing power parity - $2,600 (1998 est.) | - |
GDP - real growth rate | NA | 4.9% (2000 est.) |
Geographic coordinates | 12 50 S, 45 10 E | 21 45 N, 71 35 W |
Geography - note | part of Comoro Archipelago; 18 islands | about 40 islands (eight inhabited) |
Highways | total: 93 km
paved: 72 km unpaved: 21 km |
- |
Household income or consumption by percentage share | lowest 10%: NA
highest 10%: NA |
lowest 10%: NA%
highest 10%: NA% |
Illicit drugs | - | transshipment point for South American narcotics destined for the US and Europe |
Imports | $141.3 million f.o.b. (1997) | NA bbl/day |
Imports - commodities | food, machinery and equipment, transportation equipment, metals, chemicals | food and beverages, tobacco, clothing, manufactures, construction materials |
Imports - partners | France 66%, Africa 14%, Southeast Asia 11% (2000 est.) | US, UK (2004) |
Independence | none (territorial collectivity of France) | none (overseas territory of the UK) |
Industrial production growth rate | NA | NA% |
Industries | newly created lobster and shrimp industry, construction | tourism, offshore financial services |
Infant mortality rate | total: 64.19 deaths/1,000 live births
male: 70.42 deaths/1,000 live births female: 57.78 deaths/1,000 live births (2004 est.) |
total: 15.18 deaths/1,000 live births
male: 17.55 deaths/1,000 live births female: 12.7 deaths/1,000 live births (2006 est.) |
Inflation rate (consumer prices) | NA | 4% (1995) |
International organization participation | UPU | Caricom (associate), CDB, Interpol (subbureau), UPU |
Irrigated land | NA sq km | NA |
Judicial branch | Supreme Court or Tribunal Superieur d'Appel | Supreme Court; Court of Appeal |
Labor force | 48,800 (2000) | 4,848 (1990 est.) |
Labor force - by occupation | - | note: about 33% in government and 20% in agriculture and fishing; significant numbers in tourism, financial, and other services |
Land boundaries | 0 km | 0 km |
Land use | arable land: NA
permanent crops: NA other: NA (2001) |
arable land: 2.33%
permanent crops: 0% other: 97.67% (2005) |
Languages | Mahorian (a Swahili dialect), French (official language) spoken by 35% of the population | English (official) |
Legal system | French law | based on laws of England and Wales, with a few adopted from Jamaica and The Bahamas |
Legislative branch | unicameral General Council or Conseil General (19 seats; members are elected by popular vote to serve three-year terms)
elections: last held 7 October 2000 (next to be held NA 2003) election results: percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - NA note: Mayotte elects one member of the French Senate; elections last held 24 September 2001 (next to be held NA September 2007); results - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - NA; Mayotte also elects one member to the French National Assembly; elections last held 16 June 2002 (next to be held as a special election on NA June 2005); results - percent of vote by party - UMP-RPR 55.08%, UDF 44.92%; seats by party - UMP-RPR 1 |
unicameral Legislative Council (21 seats of which 15 are popularly elected; members serve four-year terms)
elections: last held 24 April 2003 (next to be held in 2007) election results: percent of vote by party - PDM 53.8%, PNP 46.2%; seats by party - PDM 7, PNP 6; note - in by-elections held 7 August 2003, the PNP gained two seats for a majority of 8 seats; PDM now has 5 |
Life expectancy at birth | total population: 60.99 years
male: 58.85 years female: 63.2 years (2004 est.) |
total population: 74.73 years
male: 72.48 years female: 77.08 years (2006 est.) |
Literacy | definition: NA
total population: NA male: NA female: NA |
definition: age 15 and over has ever attended school
total population: 98% male: 99% female: 98% (1970 est.) |
Location | Southern Africa, island in the Mozambique Channel, about one-half of the way from northern Madagascar to northern Mozambique | Caribbean, two island groups in the North Atlantic Ocean, southeast of The Bahamas, north of Haiti |
Map references | Africa | Central America and the Caribbean |
Maritime claims | territorial sea: 12 nm
exclusive economic zone: 200 nm |
territorial sea: 12 nm
exclusive fishing zone: 200 nm |
Merchant marine | none | - |
Military - note | defense is the responsibility of France; small contingent of French forces stationed on the island | defense is the responsibility of the UK |
Military expenditures - dollar figure | - | $192.8 million |
National holiday | Bastille Day, 14 July (1789) | Constitution Day, 30 August (1976) |
Nationality | noun: Mahorais (singular and plural)
adjective: Mahoran |
noun: none
adjective: none |
Natural hazards | cyclones during rainy season | frequent hurricanes |
Natural resources | NEGL | spiny lobster, conch |
Net migration rate | 6.78 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2004 est.) | 10.54 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2006 est.) |
People - note | - | destination and transit point for illegal Haitian immigrants bound for the Turks and Caicos Islands, The Bahamas, and US |
Political parties and leaders | Democratic Front or FD [Youssouf MOUSSA]; Mahoran Popular Movement or MPM [Ahmed MADI]; Federation of Mahorans or RPR [Mansour KAMARDINE]; Movement for Department Status Mayotte or MDM [Mouhoutar SALIM]; Socialist Party or PS (local branch of French Parti Socialiste) [Ibrahim ABUBACAR]; Union for French Democracy or UDF [Henri JEAN-BAPTISTE] | People's Democratic Movement or PDM [Derek H. TAYLOR]; Progressive National Party or PNP [Michael Eugene MISICK] |
Political pressure groups and leaders | NA | NA |
Population | 186,026 (July 2004 est.) | 21,152 (July 2006 est.) |
Population below poverty line | NA | NA% |
Population growth rate | 4.09% (2004 est.) | 2.82% (2006 est.) |
Ports and harbors | Dzaoudzi | - |
Radio broadcast stations | AM 1, FM 5, shortwave 0 (2001) | AM 2, FM 7, shortwave 0 (2004) |
Religions | Muslim 97%, Christian (mostly Roman Catholic) | Baptist 40%, Anglican 18%, Methodist 16%, Church of God 12%, other 14% (1990) |
Sex ratio | at birth: 1.03 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 1.01 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1.19 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 1 male(s)/female total population: 1.1 male(s)/female (2004 est.) |
at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 1.04 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1.11 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.83 male(s)/female total population: 1.07 male(s)/female (2006 est.) |
Suffrage | 18 years of age; universal | 18 years of age; universal |
Telephone system | general assessment: small system administered by French Department of Posts and Telecommunications
domestic: NA international: country code - 269; microwave radio relay and HF radiotelephone communications to Comoros (2001) |
general assessment: fully digital system with international direct dialing
domestic: full range of services available; GSM wireless service available international: country code - 1-649; 2 submarine cables; satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean) |
Telephones - main lines in use | 10,000 (2001) | 5,700 (2002) |
Telephones - mobile cellular | 21,700 (2002) | 1,700 (1999) |
Television broadcast stations | 3 (2001) | 0 (broadcasts from The Bahamas are received; 2 cable television networks) (2004) |
Terrain | generally undulating, with deep ravines and ancient volcanic peaks | low, flat limestone; extensive marshes and mangrove swamps |
Total fertility rate | 5.98 children born/woman (2004 est.) | 3.05 children born/woman (2006 est.) |
Unemployment rate | 38% (1999) | 10% (1997 est.) |