es - international: maritime boundary dispute with Venezuela
in the Gulf of Venezuela; territorial disputes with Nicaragua over
Archipelago de San Andres y Providencia and Quita Sueno Bank

Illicit drugs: illicit producer of coca, opium poppies, and
cannabis; world's leading coca cultivator (cultivation of coca in
1999 - 122,500 hectares, a 20.3% increase over 1998); cultivation of
opium in 1999 increased to 7,500 hectares from 6,100 hectares in
1998; potential production of opium in 1999 - 75 metric tons, a 25%
increase over 1998; potential production of heroin in 1999 - nearly
8 metric tons, as compared with 6 tons in 1998; the world's largest
processor of coca derivatives into cocaine; supplier of about 90% of
the cocaine to the US and the great majority of cocaine to other
international drug markets, and an important supplier of heroin to
the US market; active aerial eradication program

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@Comoros

Comoros Introduction

Background: Unstable Comoros has endured 19 coups or attempted coups
since gaining independence from France in 1975. In 1997, the islands
of Anjouan and Moheli declared their independence from Comoros. In
1999, military chief Col. AZALI seized power. He has pledged to
resolve the secessionist crisis through the 2000 Fomboni Accord, a
confederal arrangement that the Organization of African Unity has
yet to recognize.

Comoros Geography

Location: Southern Africa, group of islands in the Mozambique
Channel, about two-thirds of the way between northern Madagascar and
northern Mozambique

Geographic coordinates: 12 10 S, 44 15 E

Map references: Africa

Area: total: 2,170 sq km

land: 2,170 sq km

water: 0 sq km

Area - comparative: slightly more than 12 times the size of
Washington, DC

Land boundaries: 0 km

Coastline: 340 km

Maritime claims: exclusive economic zone: 200 NM

territorial sea: 12 NM

Climate: tropical marine; rainy season (November to May)

Terrain: volcanic islands, interiors vary from steep mountains to
low hills

Elevation extremes: lowest point: Indian Ocean 0 m

highest point: Le Kartala 2,360 m

Natural resources: NEGL

Land use: arable land: 35%

permanent crops: 10%

permanent pastures: 7%

forests and woodland: 18%

other: 30% (1993 est.)

Irrigated land: NA sq km

Natural hazards: cyclones possible during rainy season (December to
April