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. In March 2009, Mayotte voted overwhelmingly to become France's 101st department - and fifth overseas department - a change scheduled to become official in 2011.
Location
Southern Indian Ocean, island in the Mozambique Channel, about half way between northern Madagascar and northern Mozambique
Area - comparative
slightly more than twice the size of Washington, DC
Natural resources Mayotte Mayotte
NEGL
Population Mayotte
231,139 (July 2010 est.)
Mayotte Religions Mayotte
Muslim 97%, Christian (mostly Roman Catholic) 3%
Languages
Mahorian (a Swahili dialect), French (official language) spoken by 35% of the population
Mayotte Education Mayotte expenditures
NA
Government Mayotte type
none (territorial overseas collectivity of France)