Grande Comore ( French pronunciation: [ɡʁand kɔmɔʁ] ; Swahili : Ngazidja ) is an island in Comoros off the coast of Africa . It is the largest island in the Comoros nation. Most of its population is of the Comorian ethnic group. Its population as of 2006 is about 316,600. The island's capital is Moroni , which is also the national capital. The island is made up of two shield volcanoes , with Mount Karthala being the country's highest point at 2,361 m (7,746 ft) above sea level. According to the 2009 revision of the constitution of 2002, it is governed by an elected Governor, as are the other islands, with the federal government being much reduced in power. The name Ngazidja is sometimes seen in the now nonstandard form Njazidja.
7-455: For several centuries, Grande Comore was divided into a number of sultanates , including Bambao , Itsandra , Mitsamihuli, Mbajini, Hambuu, Washili, Hamahame, Mbwankuu, Mbude and Domba. The sultans were also known as mfaume . In 1886, the ruler of Anjouan , Sultan Said Ali bin Said Omar declared a "state of Ngazidja", usurping the other sultanates and accepting a French protectorate over
14-611: The Comoros Several sultanates on the Comoros , an archipelago in the Indian Ocean, were founded after the introduction of Islam into the area in the 15th century. Other titles could also be fani , mfaume and ntibe. Unlike sultans in many other Arab nations, these sultans had little real power. At one time alone on the island of Ndzuwani or Nzwani (today Anjouan ), 40 fanis and other chiefs shared power of
21-827: The East African Coast. The following five cities have been collectively proposed as a UNESCO World Heritage site, Including: Mayotte was conquered by the Sultanate of Anjouan in 1835, after which it was ruled by Anjouani qadis (governors) until 1841 when it became a protectorate under the French. Styled "Mfaume" (in Shingazidja ) or Mfalme (in Kiswahili ) Styled " Mfaume/Mfalme " Styled "Mfaume/Mfalme" Mukou Styled "Mfaume/Mfalme" Styled "Mfaume/Mfalme" Styled "Mfaume/Mfalme" The sultan
28-573: The Indian Ocean near Grande Comore after running out of fuel, killing 125 out of the 175 people on board, including 3 of the hijackers. In 1997, the Comoros nation began to fall apart as Anjouan and Moheli seceded. Grande Comore became the only island under federal control. By 2002, however, Grande Comore was reunited with the other islands under the new constitution. Abdou Soule Elbak was elected President of Grande Comore in May 2002. He received only 17% of
35-473: The island. In 1893, Sultan Said Ali was sent into exile on Réunion . In 1908, France annexed the island and the sultanates were abolished. In 1975, Grande Comore, Anjouan and Mohéli declared independence as the nation of Comoros. On 23 November 1996, Ethiopian Airlines Flight 961 was hijacked while in Ethiopian airspace en route from Addis Ababa to Nairobi . The Boeing 767-260ER crash-landed in
42-528: The island; Ngazidja (today Grand Comore ) was at many times divided into 11 sultanates. This article addresses the major sultanates. The term Shirazis (derived from the former Persian capital Shiraz) is a reference to Iranian roots, in some dynasties. The sultans of Hamamvu (Washirazi sultans) are a surviving dynasty that claims origins in Persia and carries an extant connection to the Washirazi people of
49-638: The vote in the first round, coming in first place, and received 60% of the vote in the runoff. He remained in his post until the July 2007 elections, at which point Mohamed Abdoulwahab won the island's presidency. The position of the President of Grande Comore was later transferred into the position of Governor of Grande Comore . Prince Said Ibrahim International Airport serves the island. 11°35′S 43°20′E / 11.583°S 43.333°E / -11.583; 43.333 List of sultans on
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