MAYOTTA, one of the Comoro isles (q.v.), ceded to France in 1843, lies in lat. 12° 34' to 13'4' s., and long. 44° 59' 15" p) 45° 23' east. It is of irregular form and measures 21 from to s., with an average breath of 6 or 7 m.: if, however, the dangerous coral reefs which surround the island be included, the whole occupies a space of 30 m. n. and s., and 24 m. e. and west. The surface of Mayotta is very uneven, and is studded with volcanic-looking peaks, some of which exceed 2,000 ft. in height. The shores of the island are in some places lined with mangrove swamps, which are uncovered at low water and are productive of malaria and fever. The island is in most parts capable of culti vation, and contains several sugar plantations. There are produced annually from 40,000 to 50,000 ewts. of sugar; and the tan] exports for a year are valued at nearly X50,000. It is principally sugar that is exported; and the supply of food grown on the island is insufficient for the use of the inhabitants. The total imports in.a year do not exceed in
value .C25,000. As a colony Mayotta has certainly not fulfilled the expectations enter tained by the French at the time of its occupation, notwithstanding the unusually liberal terms held out to the colonists. The French establishment is on the island of 2aondzi, inside the chain of reefs on the e. side of Mayotta, and consists of a governor, colonial officer, some artificers and seamen, and about 100 soldiers, besides a few native ones. There are several substantial government buildings and store-houses; there is a goc d road stead, and the fort has been recently strengthened. Mayotta is the only refuo-e for French ships in the Indian ocean. It is the principal market for the neighboring is)ands. Pop. '75, 10,875.