Nzwani
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Autonomous Island of Anjouan
Île Autonome d'Anjouan
Ndzuwani |
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The Comoros islands. Anjouan is the rightmost island.
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| Status | Autonomous island of Comoros |
| Capital and largest city |
Mutsamudu |
| Official languages | |
| Government | Autonomous entity within a federal presidential republic |
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• Governor
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Anissi Chamsidine |
| Area | |
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• Total
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424 km2 (164 sq mi) |
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• Water (%)
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negligible |
| Population | |
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• 2006 estimate
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277,500 |
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• 2003 census
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259,100 |
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• Density
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589.62/km2 (1,527.1/sq mi) |
| Currency | Comorian franc (KMF) |
| Time zone | EAT (UTC+3) |
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• Summer (DST)
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not observed (UTC+3) |
| Calling code | +269 |
| Internet TLD | .km |
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Anjouan (also known as Ndzuwani or Nzwani, and historically as Johanna or Hinzuan) is an autonomous island in the Indian Ocean that forms part of the Union of the Comoros. Its chief town is Mutsamudu and, as of 2006[update], its population is around 277,500. The total area of the island is 424 square kilometers (163 square miles).
The first inhabitants of the island were explorers and immigrants from Indonesia and Polynesia. After that people all around the Indian Ocean began to come to Anjouan and the Comoro Islands. In about 1500, the Sultanate of Ndzuwani (Anjouan) was founded, which took over the entire island (for further information see: List of sultans on the Comoros). The sultanate was the most powerful of all the Comorian sultanates. In 1816, Sultan Alawi bin Husein requested French assistance against the Sultanate of Zanzibar which was threatening his domain. The island came under French protection in 1886. France abolished slavery in then-Ndzuwani in 1899, and formally annexed it in 1912. The strictly republican annexation was opposed by the last reigning sultan but his meager forces were crushed when they offered resistance.
John Mucknell marooned his enemies on Anjouan in 1644. His ship, the John, was owned by the East India Company, but after ridding himself of opposition in this manner, he turned pirate and returned to Britain.
Anjouan joined the State of Comoros when it became independent in 1975.
In 1997, the islands of Anjouan and Mohéli seceded from the Comoros. On 3 August 1997, Anjouan declared itself the independent State of Anjouan (État d’Anjouan) with Foundi Abdallah Ibrahim as president. An independence referendum was subsequently held in October, with over 99% voting in favour. The island then asked to be integrated again into the French Republic; but France refused. A constitution was adopted for Anjouan in a referendum on 25 February 1998.
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Wikipedia