Comoros

The Comoros islands are wrapped in a fragrant blend of ylangylang oil, Arabic aesthetics, African warmth and French chic. Not only this, but they have a colourful history of sultans and soothsayers, plantation owners and eloping princesses.

Grande Comore (Ngazidja)
As well as being the home of the capital Moroni, (or Port-aux-Boutres), Grande Comore is studded with grassy plains, the remnants of a rainforest, and Mt Karthala, an active volcano still belching and burping away. Palm trees, beaches of black lava or white sand, and young coral reefs fringe its shores. The west coast of the island is lined with chi-chi resorts where suites and casinos, ambient bars and Frenchified restaurants are the go. The coastline on the east side of Grande Comore is wilder and more untamed than on the west. A camping trip round the east coast is always a good idea .

Arab Quarter - Place de Badjanani
The neighbourhood around the port and the Ancienne Mosque de Vendredi (old Friday mosque) is a convoluted medina with narrow streets lined with buildings dating back to Swahili times. It’s reminiscent of a miniature version of Zanzibar’s Stone Town and almost as intriguing. Watch for the elaborately carved Swahili doors found on many houses.

Mayotte
Mayotte remains a French territory. Although Mahorais seem quite happy to enjoy the financial and political advantages being French affords, Mayotte is not just a petite French, it’s petite, petite, and if you scratch the surface of a Mahorais you’ll find more Comoran than French underneath.
Mayotte consists of three islands: the largest, with the capital city of Mamoudzou, is Grande Terre; Pamandzi, or Petit Terre, is far smaller than the big island. The smallest, the rock of Dzaoudzi, is little more than a poor man’s Rock of Gibraltar connected to Petit
Terre by a highway.

Location:
Southern Africa, group of islands at the northern mouth
of the Mozambique Channel, about two-thirds of
the way between northern Madagascar and northern
Mozambique
Geographic coordinates:
12 10 S, 44 15 E
Map references:
Africa
Area:
total: 2,170 sq km
land: 2,170 sq km
water: 0 sq km
Area - comparative:
Slightly more than 12 times the size of Washington, DC
Land boundaries:
0 km
Coastline:
340 km
Climate:
Tropical marine; rainy season (November to May)
Terrain:
Volcanic islands, interiors vary from steep mountains to
low hills
Elevation extremes:
lowest point: Indian Ocean 0 m
highest point: Le Kartala 2,360 m
Natural resources:
Negligible
Natural hazards:
Cyclones possible during rainy season (December to
April); Le Kartala on Grand Comore is an active volcano
Geography:
Important location at northern end of Mozambique
Channel
People:
Comoros
Nationality:
Comoran(s)
Comoran
Ethnic groups:
Antalote, Cafre, Makoa, Oimatsaha, Sakalava
Religions:
Sunni Muslim 98%, Roman Catholic 2%
Languages:
Arabic (official), French (official), Shikomoro (a blend of
Swahili and Arabic)
Country name:
Conventional long form: Union of the Comoros
Conventional short form: Comoros
Local long form: Union des Comores
Local short form: Comores
Government type:
Republic
Capital:
Moroni
Administrative divisions:
3 islands and 4 municipalities; Grande Comore (Njazidja),
Anjouan (Nzwani), Domoni, Fomboni, Moheli (Mwali),
Moroni, Moutsamoudou
Independence:
6 July 1975 (from France)
National holiday:
Independence Day, 6 July (1975)
Currency:
Comoran franc (KMF)
Exchange rates:
Comoran francs (KMF) per US dollar - 392.03 (2006),
395.6 (2005), 396.21 (2004), 435.9 (2003), 522.74
(2002)
note: the Comoran franc is pegged to the euro at a rate
of 491.9677 Comoran francs per euro .

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