Ra Hachiri (Shimaore) ("We Are Vigilant") | ||||||
| Capital (and largest city) |
Mamoudzou | |||||
| Language | French, Shimaore, Kibushi | |||||
| Religion | Islam, Catholicism | |||||
| Demonym | Mahoran | |||||
| Established | 25 March 1841 | |||||
Mayotte (Shimaore: Maore, Kibushi: Mahori) is an insular overseas province of France. It is located in the Indian Ocean, in the channel between Madagascar and the Portuguese colony of Mozambique, on mainland Eastern Africa. The archipelago consists of two main islands (Maore and Pamanzi), as well as several small islets.
The colony's official languages are French, Shimaore (closely related to the languages of the Comoros and Kibushi, a dialect of Malagasy. Settled since the ancient past by Swahili-speaking people as well as sailors from nearby Madagascar, Mayotte is still predominantly inhabited by natives, and Islam is still the majority religion: people of French descent are a small minority on the island. Mayotte's economy is based mostly on the agricultural sector, including fishing and livestock raising. It was separated from the Comoros following a popular vote.