Mayotte: A French island in the Indian Ocean under the impression of Cyclone Chido

Mayotte, a French overseas territory in the Indian Ocean, was hit by cyclone Chido over the weekend. Geographically, Mayotte is located east of the Comoros and northwest of Madagascar. The region comprises the two main islands of Grande-Terre and Petite-Terre. In contrast to the neighboring Comoros, which declared independence in 1975, Mayotte remained part of France. The history of the archipelago dates back about 1,000 years, when Arab seafarers established the first settlements and trade connections with East Africa and Madagascar. France began its colonial influence in 1843 and annexed the entire archipelago in 1904. Despite declarations of independence, the population of Mayotte voted in a 1974 referendum to remain with France. Economically, Mayotte is heavily dependent on French financial aid. While the island experienced economic growth under French administration, neighboring Comoros struggles with poverty and political instability. This social disparity annually attracts hundreds of Comorians on a dangerous crossing to Mayotte. High unemployment and a large portion of the population living below the national poverty line are defining characteristics of the region. Mayotte also suffers from climatic impacts, as two cyclones destroyed the island as early as 1898. These events led to the decline of the sugar industry, which was then replaced by the cultivation of vanilla, coffee, and fragrant plants such as ylang-ylang.