PIP: The archipelago of the Federal Islamic Republic of the Comoros is composed of 4 prominent islands and several smaller satellite islands. They are situated at the north end of the Mozambique Channel and stretch crookedly from 670 km southeast of Tanzania to 320 km northwest of Madagascar. Each island has its own distinct topography, vegetation, and economic life. Described are such points as geography, people, government, political conditions, economy, foreign relations, defense, and US-Comorian relations. In 1986, the estimated population was 64,000; the annual growth rate was 3%. Infant mortality rate is 92.3/1000; life expectancy is 48.8 years. Although for visitors no vaccinations are required, malaria is widespread; the use of prophylactics are used, such as chloroquine and fansider.