Living in Mayotte guide for expats

Mayotte has a complicated political history. In1886, Comoros became a French protectorate, but in 1974, three of its four major islands (Grande Comore, Mohéli, and Anjouan) voted for independence, while Mayotte voted against, and is still governed by France.

In 2009, Mayotte voted to integrate with France but the Comoros government, which lays claim to the island, declared the referendum to be null and void. Presently, Mayotte is considered to be an overseas département of France, although its status has been disputed by Comoros. Although it is less developed than other overseas French departments, such as Martinique or La Réunion, you can still find modern amenities and goods, which make it an attractive destination for expatriates.

As a French territory, many people from metropolitan France choose to work in Mayotte ' notably as teachers, police or hospital staff. The French culture strongly influences the island, and the official language is French. However, the lingua franca tends to be the indigenous language known as Shimaoré (French Mahorais), which shares similarities with Swahili, and is a dialect of the Comorian language. Although about a third of the population lives in the capital, Mamoudzou, there are coastal villages where a dialect from Madagascar (ShiBushi) is used.

Mayotte's major trading partner is metropolitan France, and the economy largely depends on French aid, as natural resources on the island are in short supply and many goods have to be imported. The islands' main exports ' ylang-ylang extract and farmed fish ' are prone to price fluctuations, and agriculture is confined to the central and northeastern plains, where revenue-generating crops include vanilla, coffee, cloves, and coconuts; while cassava, corn, bananas, and rice are farmed mainly for subsistence. The service sector is Mayotte's principal source of employment, and money sent home by those working overseas is an important source of income for the people living on the island.

As Mayotte lies close to the poverty-stricken Comoros islands, it does have an immigration issue. Illegal immigrants cross the waters by boat in the hope of benefitting from life on an island that is part of the European Union, but they largely end up living in shanty towns in Mayotte and are thought to be responsible for what is referred to as 'survival delinquency'.

Located in the Indian Ocean between Mozambique and Madagascar, Mayotte is trying to use its picture-perfect beaches, with their palm trees and turquoise waters to generate tourism. However, its lack of infrastructure has arguably been an obstacle, and the islands of Seychelles and Mauritius steal the regional limelight. This may change soon enough, as people are lured by Mayotte's tropical island charm and temperatures that blissfully hover between 20°C and 30°C year-round.

A volcanic mountain range runs from north to south on the main island, adding to its beauty and its appeal to those who love nature. Also, protected waters for shipping and fishing are surrounded by coral reefs that make the island an ideal place for those who like scuba diving and snorkelling.

Life in Mayotte is laidback, and it is a great little place to live if the idea of lying on one of many beaches, gazing at a lagoon, and taking a dip in warm waters while enjoying a voulé (barbecue) appeals to you.