Geography of Mayotte

Mayotte
Native name: <span class="nickname" ">Mahoré
Nickname: Grande-Terre

Map of Mayotte
Geography
Location Mozambique Channel
Coordinates 12°50′S 45°10′E / 12.833°S 45.167°E / -12.833; 45.167
Archipelago Comoro Islands
Area 374 km2 (144 sq mi)
Length 39 km (24.2 mi)
Width 22 km (13.7 mi)
Coastline 185.2 km (115.08 mi)
Highest elevation 660 m (2,170 ft)
Highest point Benara
Administration
France
Overseas collectivity Mayotte
Largest settlement Mamoudzou (pop. 53,022)
Demographics
Population 186,452 (2007)
Pop. density 498.53 /km2 (1,291.19 /sq mi)
Ethnic groups Mahoran

Mayotte is an island of volcanic origin in the northernmost Mozambique Channel, about one-half of the way from northern Madagascar to northern Mozambique. Mayotte is part of the Comoro Islands, and like them is the result of a former hot spot, the oldest of the Comoros archipelago, formed about 7.7 mya.[1] Mayotte has an area of 374 square kilometres, and a coastline of length 185.2 km. Its maritime claims are an exclusive economic zone of 200 nautical miles, and a territorial sea of 12 nm.

Terrain

The terrain of the island is undulating, with deep ravines and ancient volcanic peaks. The lowest point is the Indian Ocean, and the highest is Benara, at 660 m. The Baie de Bouéni is a large bay in the south-west of the island.

Climate

The climate of Mayotte is a tropical, marine climate. Between November and May, there is a hot, humid and rainy season, during the northeastern monsoon. At this time of the year, a hazard is posed by cyclones. Between May and November, there is a cooler, dry season.

See also

Notes

  1. Thomas Schlüter, Martin H. Trauth, Geological Atlas of Africa, s.v. "The Comoros", 2008:74.
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Wikimedia Atlas of Mayotte

Coordinates: 12°50′S 45°10′E / 12.833°S 45.167°E / -12.833; 45.167

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