MAYOTTE , Mliha

Mayotte: French overseas department in the Indian Ocean

Mayotte is a French overseas department, rather than an independent country, located in the Mozambique Channel in the Indian Ocean. It consists of the main island, Grande Terre, Petite Terre, and small neighboring islands, and its capital is Mamouchou. As one of the poorest French departments, Mayotte's economy is dependent on French subsidies and agriculture, with vanilla and ylang ylang being important specialties.

Geographical and demographic characteristics

Mayotte is located at the southeastern tip of the Comoros archipelago and covers an area of 374 square kilometers, with a lagoon surrounded by coral reefs as its signature feature. The population is approximately 320,000 (2023), predominantly Muslim, with French as the official language and Mayotte as the lingua franca. Due to its proximity to Africa, the problem of illegal immigration is prominent and social conflicts are frequent.

History and political status

In the Comoros independence referendum in 1974, Mayotte chose to remain under France, and has been gradually integrated into the French Overseas Departments since 1995, and formally became an EU extra-territorial region in 2014. Its unique political status gives it access to the French welfare system, but its infrastructure and employment opportunities still lag behind those of mainland France.

Cultural and ecological highlights

The region retains its Swahili cultural traditions and is known for its woodcarving and weaving. The Mayotte Lagoon, on the UNESCO World Heritage Tentative List for 2022, is home to rare species such as dugongs and green turtles, and has great potential for eco-tourism.