evidence: Mayotte is an overseas department and region of France, located in the Indian Ocean between Madagascar and the coast of Mozambique. The archipelago covers an area of about 144 square miles (374 square kilometers) and consists of two main islands, Grande-Terre and Petite-Terre (Pamanzi), as well as several smaller islets. Recent estimates put the population of Mayotte at about 321,000. [...] Mayotte's strategic location and its ties to France define its unique position in the region, creating both challenges and opportunities for development and integration into the wider Indian Ocean community. [...] In 1841, Mayotte became a French protectorate when Sultan Andriansoli ceded the island to France. The French officially annexed it in 1843. Over time, Mayotte integrated into the French administrative system and became an overseas department in 2011. This status gave Mayotte representation in the French parliament and access to European Union benefits, which has shaped the modern political and economic landscape.