Anjouan facts for kids

Anjouan is a beautiful island in the Indian Ocean, located off the coast of Africa. It is part of the Comoros nation, which is a group of islands. The main town on Anjouan is called Mutsamudu.

People have known Anjouan by different names throughout history, like Ndzuwani or Nzwani. Long ago, it was also called Johanna or Hinzuan.

Quick facts for kids Anjouan Île Autonome d'Anjouan Ndzuwani
Autonomous Island of the Union of the Comoros
Autonomous Island of Anjouan
Flag
Anjouan is the rightmost island of the Comoros islands.
Country	Comoros
Capital	Mutsamudu
Government
• Type	Autonomous Island within a federal presidential republic
Area
• Total	424 km2 (164 sq mi)
Population  (2003)
• Total	259,100
• Estimate  (2006)	277,500
• Density	611.1/km2 (1,582.7/sq mi)
Time zone	UTC+03:00 (EAT)

Geography and Nature

Anjouan is a small island, covering about 424 square kilometers. That's a bit smaller than a city like London! It's known for its beautiful green landscapes and volcanic mountains. The island was formed by volcanoes, which makes its land very fertile.

Climate and Wildlife

The weather on Anjouan is tropical, meaning it's warm all year round. There's a lot of rain, especially during certain seasons. This helps the plants and trees grow really well. The island is home to unique animals and plants, some of which can only be found there. It's an important place for birds, too, with many special species living in its forests.

People and Culture

Anjouan is home to many people, with an estimated population of about 277,500. Most people live in small villages and towns across the island.

Languages and Education

The main language spoken on Anjouan is Shikomori, which is a local Comorian language. However, many people also learn Arabic and French in school. This is because of the island's history and its connections to different cultures. Education is important, and you can see kids learning in classrooms, sometimes even Arabic, as shown in one of the images.

Capital City: Mutsamudu

Mutsamudu is the capital and largest city on Anjouan. It's a busy port city where goods come in and out of the island. It's also a center for trade and daily life for many Anjouanese people.

History of Anjouan

Anjouan has a rich history, being part of the Comoros archipelago for centuries. Like the other Comoros islands, it has seen different influences over time.

Becoming Part of Comoros

For a long time, Anjouan was a separate sultanate, ruled by its own leaders. Later, it became a French colony. Eventually, it joined the other islands to form the independent nation of Comoros.

Recent Times

Sometimes, Anjouan has had disagreements with the main Comoros government. In 1997, the island even tried to become independent. However, after some discussions and help from other African countries, Anjouan rejoined the Comoros. In 2008, there was a time when troops from Comoros and the African Union came to the island to help bring it back fully into the Comoros nation peacefully. Today, Anjouan is an "Autonomous Island" within the Comoros, meaning it has some self-governing powers.

Images for kids

• 

  Map of Anjouan (1748) by French hydrographer Jacques Nicolas Bellin.

• 

  French Residency in Anjouan, 1900.

• 

  Map of the 2008 invasion of Anjouan by Comoran and African Union troops

• 

  Anjouan seen from the ISS.

• 

  Teaching Arabic in a prescolair class. Though students speak Shikomori, they commonly learn Arabic and French in the classroom.

• 

  Indian Ocean Sunset on Anjouan Island

See also

In Spanish: Anjouan para niños