Mayotte, French overseas department in Indian Ocean, France
Description
Mayotte is a French overseas department in the Indian Ocean between Madagascar and the East African coast, formed by two main volcanic islands surrounded by coral reef formations. The lagoon encircles both islands and creates a natural barrier between the open sea and the shores of Grande-Terre and Petite-Terre.
History
The islands remained under French administration in 1975 when the other Comoros islands became independent, achieving full departmental status in 2011. This choice was confirmed through local referendum and led to full integration into the French administrative system.
Culture
Women in villages often wear brightly colored wraparound skirts and decorate their faces with white wood-paste masks, a centuries-old beauty tradition. Markets blend French baguettes with dried mangos and spice mixtures, while vendors shift between Shimaore, Kibushi and French throughout the day.
Practical
Air connections from Dzaoudzi-Pamandzi International Airport provide links to mainland France and regional destinations. Visitors should prepare for tropical conditions with a rainy season running from November through April.
Did you know?
The territory is the only French department with a Muslim majority population where Islamic legal practices coexist with the French legal system. Visitors experience daily life where mosques stand beside administrative buildings and the Friday call to prayer echoes through European-style urban structures.
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Mosquée de Tsingoni
6.2 kmMont Bénara
6.4 kmPointes et plages de Saziley et Charifou
16.1 km
Prefecture hotel of Mayotte
9.9 km
Musée de Mayotte
12.2 km
Our Lady of Fatima Church, Mamoudzou
9.8 km
Résidence du gouverneur
12.1 km
Parc marin de Saziley
16.8 kmForests of Mayotte National Nature Reserve
7 km
Bandrélé Ecomuseum
11 km
Cascade de Soulou
7.3 kmSucrerie Soulou
8 kmStade Cavani
8.8 km
Plage de Moya
16.3 km
Tahiti plage
6.5 km
St. Michael's Church, Dzaoudzi
12.1 km
Baie de Bouéni
9.4 km
Plage des Badamiers
15.7 kmRéserve naturelle nationale de l'îlot Mbouzi
9 km
Canton of Kani-Kéli
16.3 kmCascade de Rouaka
3.2 km
Musicale Plage
11.3 km
Trevani Beach
11.2 km
Mtsanga Hamaha
11.3 km
Mtsanga Tanaraki
11.5 km
Plage de Trévani
11.2 km
Mtsanga Fanou
16.4 km
Mosquée de Mtsapéré
8.6 km
canton of Acoua
canton of Bandraboua
canton of Bandrélé
Bouéni
Canton of Chiconi
canton of Chirongui
Dembéni
canton of Dzaoudzi
canton of Kani-Kéli
Koungou
canton of Mamoudzou-1
canton of Mamoudzou-2
canton of Mamoudzou-3
canton of Mtsamboro
canton of M'tsangamouji
Ouangani
canton of Pamandzi
Sada
canton of Tsingoni
Mamoudzou
Ouangani
Bandraboua
Mtsamboro
Koungou
Dzaoudzi
M'Tsangamouji
Pamandzi
Sada
Acoua
Chirongui
Chiconi
Tsingoni
Dembéni
Bouéni
Kani-Kéli
Bandrele
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