Mayotte

Mayotte forms part of the French Republic under French constitutional law and, since 1 January 2026, constitutes the Département-Région de Mayotte, a territorial collectivity governed by Article 73 of the French Constitution. The Union of the Comoros continues to claim sovereignty over Mayotte. It is a volcanic Indian Ocean archipelago enclosed by a large coral lagoon, with steep green interiors and densely settled coastal areas. The climate is warm, humid and strongly seasonal, with heavy rainfall and cyclone exposure. Traditional construction has used timber, earth, plant materials and locally available stone or coral-derived masonry, while contemporary settlements increasingly use concrete and metal roofing; shade and ventilation remain essential climatic concerns.