Mayotte is located in the Comorian Archipelago
off the eastern coast
of southern Africa,
between modern-day Mozambique and the island of Madagascar.
While geographically part of the independent nation of the Comoros, Mayotte chose a different path from the other three main islands of the Archipelago.
In 1500, the Maore or Mawuti sultanate was established on the island.
In 1503, Mayotte was observed by Portuguese explorers, but not colonized.
In 1832, Mayotte was conquered by Andriantsoly, former king of Iboina on Madagascar; in 1833, it was conquered by the neighboring sultanate of Mwali. On 19 November 1835, Mayotte was again conquered by the Ndzuwani Sultanate; a governor was installed with the unusual Islamic style of Qadi. However, in 1836 it regained its independence under a last local Sultan.
Mayotte was purchased by France in 1841.
Mayotte was the only island in the archipelago that voted in both 1974 and 1976 to retain its link with France and forgo independence. The Comoros continue to claim the island.
Mayotte became an overseas department of France in March 2011.
Mayotte is a small island with only 256,518 people. However as the island is only 144 square miles in size, which results in a very densely populated island with 690 people per square kilometer while the same space in France is only occupied by, on average, 122 people.
The main island, Grande-Terre,
is 39 kilometres (24 mi) long and 22 kilometres (14 mi) wide, and its highest point is Mount Benara,
at 660 metres (2,165 ft) above sea level. The volcanic soil is relatively rich and allows for agricultural production of such commodities as
for perfume manufacture, coffee,
and copra.
Dzaoudzi
was the capital of Mayotte until 1977 when it was shifted to Mamoudzou
on the main island.
The coral reef that surrounds the island
provides for some fishing and for excellent underwater activities such as scuba diving and snorkeling. The reef consists of a large outer barrier reef, enclosing one of the world’s largest and deepest lagoons, followed by a fringing reef, interrupted by many mangroves.
While the natural beauty could attract tourists, the very remote location and limited transportation options severely limits this aspect of the economy.
Mayotte relies heavily on Metropolitan France for most all imports, of which there are many, as well as generous cash subsidies because of the limited economy.
Mayotte is overwhelming Muslim with 97% of the population following this major world religion. The 3% remaining are nominally Roman Catholic.