Anjouan

Anjouan (also known as Ndzuwani or Nzwani) is an island in the Comoros. The island is located in the Indian Ocean. Its capital is Mutsamudu and its population as of 1991 is about 189,000. The total area of the Island is 424 sq. kilometers.

Weather

The highs on the island range from 27 to 32 degrees Celsius year-round. The weather is warm and humid from December to April and slightly cooler from May to November.

Geography

Anjouan is part of the Comoros Islands located in the Mozambique Channel.

Culture

African mainlanders, Creoles, Arabs, Malay-Polynesians, Antalotes and Shirazi Persians make up the population of Anjouan. The main religion is Sunni Islam. Although the Island is filled with large numbers of Mosques, religious observance is not as strict as it is in many other countries observing Islam. Alcohol is forbidden on the island. Because of the French influence on the Island much of the Island's cuisine is similar to French food.

History

The first inhabitants af the island were explorers and immigrants from Indonesia-Polynesia. After that people all around the Indian Ocean began to come to Anajouan and the Comoros Islands.

In about 1500 the sultanate of Ndzuwani was founded, which took over the entire island. The island came under French protection in 1866.

It was annexed by France in 1912 and the sultanate was crushed. Anjouan joined the Comoros nation when it became independent in 1975.

In 1997, the islands of Anjouan and Mohéli declared their independence from Comoros. However, The island is now part of the Republic of Comoros. For more detail, see History of Comoros.

Economy

The Island uses the common Franc as its currency. The economy of the Island is dependant on Agriculture and related industries. The industries Employ over 80% of the work force. The islands main food staple is Rice, most of which must be imported. Anjouan is the worlds primary exporter of ylang-ylang oil, an ingredient in almost all perfumes.

The new Anjouan laws that have been passed in February 2005 relating to offshore activity have been carefully drawn up to produce a coherent and flexible regulatory framework. Anjouan Corporate Services Ltd was set up under the Anjouan Registered Agent Act and all Anjouan services are fully regulated by the Anjouan Offshore Finance Authority.

Postage stamps

In 1892 the French omnibus Navigation and Commerce issue of postage stamps included types specifically intended for use in Anjouan. These were inscribed "SULTANAT / D'ANJOUAN". A series of surcharged values issued in 1912 was available for use in Madagascar and all of the Comoros, and thereafter stamps of Madagascar were used. In 1950 Anjouan used the stamps of the Comoros.

External links

Official government website.