Comoros is a small island nation in the Indian Ocean, situated off the eastern coast of Africa between Madagascar and the African mainland. It is known for producing some of the world's finest ylang-ylang, a flower used in perfumes, earning it the nickname 'the Perfume Islands.' The country is made up of three main volcanic islands: Grande Comore, Anjouan, and Mohéli.
- Capital
- Moroni
- Continent
- Africa
- Region
- Eastern Africa
- Area
- 1,862 km²
- Coordinates
- 12° S, 44° E
- Languages
- Arabic, French, Comorian
- Currency
- KMF Fr
- Domain
- .km
- Calling code
- +269
On the world map
Bordering countries
No land borders — this is an island nation.
Country facts
- Comoros declared independence from France in 1975, making it one of Africa's youngest nations.
- The coelacanth, a rare fish once thought extinct for 65 million years, was found in Comorian waters and remains a national symbol.
- Comoros has one of the highest rates of military coups in the world, experiencing over 20 coups or coup attempts since independence.
- The official languages of Comoros are Comorian, Arabic, and French, reflecting the islands' diverse cultural heritage.
- Mount Karthala, an active volcano on Grande Comore, is one of the largest active volcanoes in the world and has erupted multiple times in recent decades.
Capital facts
- Moroni is located on the western coast of Grande Comore, the largest island in the archipelago.
- The city's name is believed to derive from the Arabic word meaning 'at the heart of the fire,' likely referencing nearby Mount Karthala.
- The Friday Mosque, or Ancienne Mosquée du Vendredi, is one of Moroni's most iconic landmarks, built in the fifteenth century.
- Moroni's harbor is a central hub of daily life, bustling with traditional wooden dhow boats used for fishing and inter-island transport.
- The medina of Moroni, with its narrow winding streets and Arab-influenced architecture, reflects centuries of trade with the Arabian Peninsula.