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Mayotte ( , -frmajɔtpron; Shimaore: Maore, -swmaˈoreIPA; ) is an overseas department and region of France consisting of a main island, Grande-Terre (or Mahoré), a smaller island, Petite-Terre (or Pamanzi), and several islets around these two. The archipelago is located in the northern Mozambique Channel in the Indian Ocean, namely between northwestern Madagascar and northeastern Mozambique. Mayotte's area is 374 km2 (374000000 m2), and with its estimated 194,000 people is very densely populated (520 PD/km2 (520000000 PD/sqmi)). Its biggest city and prefecture is Mamoudzou. The territory is geographically part of the Comoro Islands, but has been politically separate since a 1974 referendum in which it elected to remain under French rule. The territory is also known as Mahoré, the native name of its main island, especially by advocates of its inclusion in the Union of Comoros. In a 2009 referendum, the population overwhelmingly approved accession to status of department (95.2% of favorable votes). On March 31, 2011, Mayotte became an overseas department.
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