French African Dependencies - Mayotte

Mayotte, the southernmost of four main islands in the Comoros Archipelago, with an area of 374 sq km (144 sq mi), lies in the Mozambique Channel about 480 km (300 mi) NW of Madagascar, at 12° 49′ S and 45° 17′ E . Mayotte is surrounded by a coral reef, which encloses the islets of M'Zambourou (Grand Terre) and Pamanzi. Beyond the island's coastal plain, a plateau reaches heights of 660 m (2,165 ft). The average daily high is 32° C (90° F ); the average low is 17° C (63° F ). Average annual precipitation is about 124 cm (49 in). The population was estimated at 170,879 in mid-2002; about 97% of the population was Muslim. Vanilla, ylang-ylang (perfume essence), coffee, and copra are among the leading agricultural products.

The island of Mayotte was originally ceded to France by its Malagasy ruler in 1843. Together with the other Comoro Islands, which became French colonies in 1912, it was attached to the French overseas territory of Madagascar until 1946, when the islands were given separate status within the French Republic. Mayotte is the only island in the Comoro chain that, by popular vote, chose to retain its link with France instead of joining an independent Comoro Islands state. This choice, indicated in the referendum of 22 December 1974, was confirmed in a separate referendum for Mayotte, conducted on 8 February 1976, when 99.4% favored remaining within France. The French vetoed a UN Security Council resolution of 7 February 1976 declaring the referendum "aggression" against the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the Comoros, which continues to claim the island. On 11 April, in a further referendum, 97.5% of those casting valid ballots (80% of the ballots were blank or declared invalid) voted for abandonment of the status of overseas territory; the vote was interpreted as indicating that Mayotte wished to become a French overseas department. The UN General Assembly called for incorporation of Mayotte within the Comoros on 21 October. Special status as a French "territorial collectivity," allowing for Mayotte eventually to become either an overseas department or independent, was conferred by the French government on 1 December 1976 and, as of 2003, was still in effect. France maintains a naval base at Dzaoudzi. The last elections were held in October 2000, with the next scheduled for 2003. The Mahoran Popular Movement (Mouvement Populaire Mahorais— MPM) favors French departmental status. Mayotte is represented by one deputy in the French national assembly; in the elections held 16 June 2002, the deputy represented the UMP-RPR party. Mayotte also elects one member to the French senate; the elections are held every six years, with the next shceduled for September 2007.