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Comoros flag

Comoros

Comores

Capital:Moroni
Population:773,407
Currency:Comoran francs (KMF)
Language:Arabic (official), French (official), Shikomoro (a blend of Swahili and Arabic)
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Quick Look Factsheet

A multi-page overview of Comoros.

Comoros Factsheet

Customs and Culture

About the People

Comoros is one of the world's poorest nations. It has no major industry and no valuable minerals. The economy is based on agriculture and most people work on a farm for a living. Most of the people have mixed ancestry. They are descends of Arabs, and black Africans. Most Comorans are Muslims.

Boys are raised and taught that it is the responsibility of men to provide for the family and meet all their physical needs. This is something they learn from their earliest days and house work is left for the girls and women.

Cultural Attributes

Comoros is one of the world's poorest nations. It has no major industry and no valuable minerals. The economy is based on agriculture and most people work on a farm for a living. Most of the people have mixed ancestry. They are descends of Arabs, and black Africans. Most Comorans are Muslims.

Boys are raised and taught that it is the responsibility of men to provide for the family and meet all their physical needs. This is something they learn from their earliest days and house work is left for the girls and women.

Market

Spice Islands of the Indian Ocean

Greetings, Gestures & Visiting

Children are taught to respect all elders irrespective of their social status.

Diet

Coconuts, bananas, and cassava are the main food crops. The best land is used for commercial crops such as vanilla, cloves and perfume plants so much of the food must be imported. During meal times, the husband usually eats alone at the dinner table or living room whereas the children and their mothers eat from the kitchen. The man may eat with a parent or friend at the table. Males eating seperate from females is a show of dignity as well as authority.

Children

Family

Families usually have many children and many marriages are polygamous in nature. A high percentage of the population still lives in straw huts .

Student Life

Comorosis considered to be a Muslim country and therefore many homes are polygamous with one man having as many as four wives with not less than 20 children. A typical day for a child especially in rural Comoros begins long before sunrise in order to prepare for the day. A high percentage of the population lives in straw huts. Classes run for five days a week and they begin promptly at about 7:30 am. The first item in the daily school calendar is usually an assembly where any announcements and notices are passed on to the children, usually done in French. Koranic schools are an age-old institution; they are the schools most accessible to Comorian children because they are firmly established throughout the country (there are several in each village). Their purpose is to provide religious instruction with a view to strengthening Islamic culture and faith. They are entirely independent and are established on the initiative of a teacher who admits children to his own house or a place designated by the local community. He determines the organization of the establishment, which operates outside the State hierarchy and State control. Children attend these establishments from the age of 4 until they attain their "spiritual" majority. The languages of instruction are Shikomori and Arabic.

The teachers will always be present during the assembly before the children break into the various classes. Classes run throughout the day until 3:30 p.m. when the school breaks for the day and the children go back home. Children get to school by walking because there is nothing like organized school transport since the schools are not usually too far from their homes. After the normal school day there will be about an hour for extra curricula activities where children will play ball or participate in any club activities that are available in each individual school they attend When it comes to schooling, all children from the age of three must attend Quranic School where they are taught the tenets of Islam and some form of classical Arabic. In the rural areas when children attend these schools, they may be at times forced to stay with the teacher and help out with work at the school and also assist in working on the teacher’s farm during the free times.

Young people and children take part in religious festivities. This often provides an opportunity for Koranic teachers to show off their competence which is measured by the extent of their pupils' knowledge. Children are asked to sing poems in honor of the Prophet and his glorious companions. The fact that all kinds of cakes and drinks are liberally distributed at these ceremonies ensures their willing attendance. However, these traditional and religious activities alone do not satisfy young people, who are also very eager to form all kinds of associations centered around music, theater and sports, in particular. These very numerous, well-attended and active associations have become an essential ingredient in national cultural life, particularly during the school holidays.

The government provides free primary school education for children up to the age of 10 and this tends to increase enrollment in schools. However the schools are greatly hampered with lack of facilities, equipment, qualified personnel to teach as well as important materials like text books. School buildings often lack washrooms and toilet facilities. There In some of the islands the local governments have had to suspend payment of fees because many parents could not afford to pay fees for their children, and they instead opted to send their kids to Quranic schools which are usually free. The educational system in Comoros is mirrored on the French school system and primary schools last up to five years. The percentage of girls enrolling in school is lower than that of boys and the ration between teachers and students is about one teacher for every fifty students.

Holidays

  • Independence Day

    7/6

    Independence Day

Dates of Interest

  • July 6th

What are the dining customs in Comoros?

Meals are commonly eaten with men and women separated, with the husband typically eating alone or with a parent or friend at the table while children and mothers eat in the kitchen. Males eating separately from females is a show of dignity and authority.

Good to know

  • Coconuts, bananas, and cassava are the main food crops
  • Much food is imported because the best land is used for commercial crops such as vanilla, cloves, and perfume plants

What should I know about etiquette in Comoros?

Respect for elders is highly valued, and children are taught to respect all elders regardless of social status.

Do

  • Show respect to elders regardless of their social status

Good to know

  • Most Comorans are Muslims, and mixed Arab and black African ancestry is common

What is family life like in Comoros?

Families are usually large, and many marriages are polygamous. Men are raised to see providing for the family as their responsibility, while housework is left to girls and women.

Good to know

  • A high percentage of the population still lives in straw huts
  • The economy is based on agriculture and most people work on a farm

Last updated: 2026-07-12 · Sources: CountryReports

Photos of Comoros

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Travel and Tourism

Travel Alert Status
Level 1: Exercise Normal Precautions
Currency
449.1
Time Difference
UTC+3 (8 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time)
Climate
Tropical marine; rainy season (November to May)
Airports
4
Recommended Vaccinations
How important is it to do your research about vaccinations? It might just save your life! Make yourself aware of the different types of vaccinations and which ones you may need to travel to your destination. Schedule an appointment with your doctor at least four to six weeks before you travel to ensure you receive all important shots. Be sure that you and your family are up to date on your routine vaccinations. Which vaccinations you need will depend on a number of factors including your destination, whether you will be spending time in rural areas, the season of the year you are traveling, your age, health status, and previous immunizations.
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History

Historical Eras

  1. Early Settlement & Arab Trade

    800 – 1500

    Austronesian and Bantu-speaking peoples first settled the Comoros archipelago, followed by Arab and Shirazi traders who established a network of sultanates and introduced Islam. By the medieval period, the islands served as a key southern node on the Indian Ocean trade routes, linking East Africa, Madagascar, and the Arabian Peninsula. Islamic culture, architecture, and governance took deep root, shaping Comorian identity for centuries.

  2. Sultanate Era

    1500 – 1886

    Rival Shirazi-descended sultanates dominated each island, engaging in inter-island warfare, the slave trade, and commerce with Arab, Swahili, and later European merchants. Portuguese, Dutch, and French navigators made contact with the islands from the 16th century onward. French influence gradually expanded through treaties with local sultans during the early 19th century, culminating in the formal establishment of a protectorate over all four main islands.

  3. French Colonial Period

    1886 – 1975

    Comoros became a French protectorate in 1886 and was formally annexed as a colony in 1912, administered from Madagascar. After World War II the islands were redesignated a French overseas territory in 1947, and internal autonomy was granted in 1961. Cash crops such as ylang-ylang, vanilla, and cloves became the economic foundation under French direction, while political agitation for independence grew through the early 1970s.

  4. Independence & Instability

    1975 – 1999

    Grande Comore, Moheli, and Anjouan unilaterally declared independence on July 6, 1975, while Mayotte voted to remain French. The new republic proved acutely unstable: President Ahmed Abdallah was overthrown within weeks, mercenary-backed coups restored and later killed him in 1989, and Ali Soilih's radical regime was itself ousted in 1978. By 1997, Anjouan and Moheli had declared their own secession from Comoros, deepening the constitutional crisis.

  5. Federal Transition

    1999 – 2004

    Colonel Azali Assoumani seized power in a 1999 coup and brokered the Fomboni Accord of 2000, crafting a confederal framework to resolve the secessionist crisis. A new constitution approved by referendum in December 2001 reconstituted the country as the Union of Comoros, granting each island its own presidency and legislature. The union's first civilian president was inaugurated on May 26, 2002, marking a fragile but significant step toward constitutional governance.

  6. Modern Union Era

    2004 – present

    The Union of Comoros has continued to grapple with coup attempts, economic underdevelopment, and reliance on foreign aid, while Mayotte's 2009 vote to fully integrate with France closed off prospects for reunification of the archipelago. Volcanic eruptions from Mount Karthala and recurring political crises have periodically destabilized the islands. Comoros remains one of the world's poorest nations, dependent on cash-crop exports and remittances, yet the federal constitutional order established in 2002 has provided greater continuity than any previous political arrangement.

Overview

Figure 6. Comoros: Administrative Divisions, 1994 THE FEDERAL ISLAMIC REPUBLIC of the Comoros is an archipelago situated in the western Indian Ocean, about midway between the island of Madagascar and the coast of East Africa at the northern end of the Mozambique Channel. The archipelago has served in past centuries as a stepping stone between the African continent and Madagascar, as a southern outpost for Arab traders operating along the East African coast, and as a center of Islamic culture. The name "Comoros" is derived from the Arabic kamar or kumr, meaning "moon," although this name was first applied by Arab geographers to Madagascar. In the nineteenth century, Comoros was absorbed into the French overseas empire, but it unilaterally proclaimed independence from France on July 6, 1975. Comoros has had a troubled and uncertain course as an independent state. Mahoré, or Mayotte, the easternmost of the archipelago’s four main islands, including Njazidja (formerly Grande Comore), Mwali (formerly Mohéli), and Nzwani (formerly Anjouan), remains under French administration, a majority of its voters having chosen to remain tied to France in referendums held in 1974 and 1976 (see Physical Environment , this ch.). By the mid-1990s, the integration of Mahoré into Comoros remained an official objective of the Comoran government, but it had taken a back seat to more pressing concerns, such as developing a viable national economy. Meanwhile, the Mahorais were making the most of their close relationship with France. They accepted large amounts of developmental aid and took an intense interest in French political events. Although South Africa played a major role in the Comoran economy in the 1980s, by the early 1990s France was the island republic’s foremost patron, providing economic aid, political guidance, and national security. Comoros is densely populated and dedicates only limited amounts of land to food production. Thus, it depends heavily on imports of rice, vegetables, and meat. Its economy is based on the production of cash crops, principally ylang-ylang (perfume essence), vanilla, and cloves, all of which have experienced wild price swings in recent years, thus complicating economic planning and contributing to a burgeoning trade deficit. A growing dependence on foreign aid, often provided to meet day-to-day needs for food, funds, and government operations, further clouds economic prospects. Comoros suffers the ills of a developing nation in particularly severe form: food shortages and inadequate diets, poor health standards, a high rate of population growth, widespread illiteracy, and international indebtedness. The country has endured political and natural catastrophes. Less than a month after independence, the government of the first Comoran president, Ahmed Abdallah, was overthrown; in 1978 foreign mercenaries carried out a second coup, overthrowing the radical regime of Ali Soilih and returning Abdallah to power. Indigenous riots in Madagascar in 1976 led to the repatriation of an estimated 17,000 Comorans. The eruption of the volcano, Kartala, on Njazidja in 1977 displaced some 2,000 people and possibly hastened the downfall of the Soilih regime. Cyclones in the 1980s, along with a violent coup that included the assassination of President Abdallah in 1989 and two weeks of rule by European mercenaries, rounded out the first fifteen years of Comoran independence. In the early 1990s, the omnipresent mercenaries of the late 1970s and 1980s were gone, and the winding down of civil conflict in southern Africa, in combination with the end of the Cold War, had reduced the republic’s value as a strategic chess piece. However, as in the 1970s and 1980s, the challenge to Comorans was to find a way off the treadmills of economic dependency and domestic political dysfunction.

Timeline of Key Events

  1. 1886

    Comoros becomes a French protectorate.

    Comoros becomes a French protectorate.

  2. 1912

    Comoros formally become a French colony administered from Madagascar.

    Comoros formally become a French colony administered from Madagascar.

  3. 1942

    British forces invade the Comoros and Madagascar.

    British forces invade the Comoros and Madagascar, toppling the pro-Vichy administration and handing the territories over to the Free French government of Charles de Gaulle.

  4. 1947

    Comoros become an overseas territory of France,

    Comoros become an overseas territory of France and are given representation in the French parliament.

  5. 1961

    Comoros given autonomy.

    Comoros given autonomy.

  6. 1974

    Three of the islands making up the Comoros vote for independence.

    Three of the islands making up the Comoros vote for independence, but a fourth island, Mayotte, votes to stay with France.

  7. 1975

    The islands of Grande Comore, Moheli and Anjouan become independent.

    The islands of Grande Comore, Moheli and Anjouan become independent with Ahmed Abdallah as president.

View full timeline (14 events)
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Interesting Facts

  • In Comoros certain landholdings called magnahouli are controlled by women and inherited through the female line, apparently in observance of a surviving matriarchal African tradition.

  • In Comoros certain landholdings called magnahouli are controlled by women and inherited through the female line, apparently in observance of a surviving matriarchal African tradition.

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Geography and Environment

Terrain
volcanic islands, interiors vary from steep mountains to low hills
Climate
tropical marine; rainy season (November to May)
Natural Hazards
cyclones possible during rainy season (December to April); Le Kartala on Grand Comore is an active volcano
Current Environmental Issues
soil degradation and erosion results from crop cultivation on slopes without proper terracing; deforestation
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People & Demographics

Religion

Languages Spoken

Arabic (official), French (official), Shikomoro (a blend of Swahili and Arabic)

  • Arabic
  • French

Population

Population
773,407
Population in Major Urban Areas
MORONI (capital) 54,000
Nationality Noun
Comoran(s)
Ethnic Groups
Antalote, Cafre, Makoa, Oimatsaha, Sakalava
Language Note
Even though, Arabic and French are the official languages, most people speak Comoran, a mixture of Arabic and Swahili.

Education

Literacy Definition
age 15 and over can read and write
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Government & Politics

Country Identity

Country Name
Comoros
Full Country Name
Union of the Comoros
Local - Long
Union des Comores
Local - Short
Comores

Government Structure

Government Type
independent republic
Legal System
French and Sharia (Islamic) law in a new consolidated code
Executive Branch
chief of state: President AZALI Assoumani (since 26 May 2016, reelected 24 March 2019, and again in January 2024); note - AZALI first came to power following a 1999 military coup and subsequently won the April 2002 presidential election; under the rotating presidency system established by the 2001 constitution, he was again elected in 2016; following a controversial 2018 constitutional referendum that abolished the rotating island presidency and allowed him to reset his term limits, AZALI was reelected in March 2019; he won a third term in the January 2024 presidential election; the president is both the chief of state and the head of government head of government: President AZALI Assoumani (since 26 May 2016); the president is both the chief of state and the head of government; there is no prime minister position under the current constitutional structure cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the president elections: under the 2001 constitution, the presidency originally rotated every four years among the three main islands of the Union (Ngazidja/Grande Comore, Ndzuwani/Anjouan, and Mwali/Mohéli); a 2018 constitutional referendum abolished the rotating island system and allowed for standard multi-year terms; presidential elections are now held every five years; the most recent election was held in January 2024, with the next scheduled for 2029 election results: President AZALI Assoumani reelected in the January 2024 presidential election with approximately 57% of the vote, though the results were disputed by opposition candidates who alleged irregularities
Legislative Branch
unicameral Assembly of the Union (33 seats; 15 deputies are selected by the individual islands' local assemblies and the 18 by universal suffrage; deputies serve for five years); elections: last held 18 and 25 April 2004 (next to be held in 2009) election results: percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - CdIA 12, CRC 6; note - 15 additional seats are filled by deputies from local island assemblies
Judicial Branch
Supreme Court or Cour Supremes (two members appointed by the president, two members elected by the Federal Assembly, one elected by the Council of each island, and others are former presidents of the republic)
Suffrage
18 years of age; universal
Constitution
23-Dec-01
Independence
6 July 1975 (from France)
National Holiday
Independence Day, 6 July (1975)

Capital City

Capital Name
Moroni
Capital - geographic coordinate
11 42 S, 43 14 E
Capital Time Difference
UTC+3 (8 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time)

Moroni derives from "mroni," which means "at the river" in Shingazidja, the Comorian language spoken on Grande Comore (N'gazidja)

Military

Branches: Army of National Development (l'Armee du Developpement Nationale, AND): Comoran Security Force (also called Comoran Defense Force (Force Comorienne de Defense, FCD), includes Gendarmerie), Comoran Coast Guard, Comoran Federal Police

Embassy / Diplomatic Mission

The U.S. Embassy in Antananarivo is located at Lot 207A, Point Liberty, Andranoro-Antehiroka, Antananarivo (105), Madagascar. The mailing address is B.P. 5253, Antananarivo (105) Madagascar. The telephone number is [261] (20) 23-480-00; the fax number is [261] (20) 23-480-35.

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Economy

One of the world's poorest and smallest economies, Comoros is an archipelago of three islands hampered by inadequate transportation infrastructure, a young and rapidly growing population, and limited natural resources. The low educational level of the labor force contributes to subsistence-level economic activity, high unemployment, and heavy dependence on foreign aid and technical assistance. Agriculture, including fishing, hunting, and forestry, accounts for roughly 35% of GDP, employs about 80% of the labor force, and provides the bulk of exports, with vanilla, cloves, and ylang-ylang serving as the main cash crops. The country is not self-sufficient in food production, and rice—the main staple—accounts for a significant share of imports.

The government continues to struggle with chronic political instability and weak institutions while attempting to upgrade education and technical training, privatize commercial and industrial enterprises, improve health services, diversify exports, develop tourism, and address rapid population growth. Comoros reached the Heavily Indebted Poor Countries (HIPC) completion point in 2012, securing substantial debt relief, but growth has remained modest, averaging around 2–3% annually in recent years. The economy was further strained by the COVID-19 pandemic and global commodity price shocks. Remittances from the large Comorian diaspora, particularly in France, remain a critical source of household income and foreign exchange, typically equivalent to about 12–15% of GDP. Sustained foreign assistance and investment remain essential for achieving higher growth and reducing poverty.

Snapshot

Currency Name and Code
Comoran francs (KMF)
GDP — official exchange rate
$402,000,000 (USD)
GDP Real Growth Rate
3%

Banknotes

Comoros Money - Front
Comoros Money - Front
Comoros Money - Back
Comoros Money - Back

Budget & Public Finance

Fiscal Year
calendar year
External Debt
$232,000,000 (USD)
Economic Aid
$10,000,000 (USD)
Current Account Balance
-$17,000,000 (USD)

Labor, Industry & Trade

Labor Force by Occupation
agriculture 80%
Industries
tourism, perfume distillation
Agriculture Products
vanilla, cloves, perfume essences, copra, coconuts, bananas, cassava (tapioca)
Export Commodities
vanilla, ylang-ylang, cloves, perfume oil, copra
Export Partners
France 31%, Germany 17.2%, US 17.2%, Singapore 10.3%, Netherlands 6.9%
Import Commodities
rice and other foodstuffs, consumer goods; petroleum products, cement, transport equipment
Import Partners
France 34.1%, South Africa 11.4%, Japan 5.7%, Kenya 5.7%, UAE 5.7%, Mauritius 4.5%, Thailand 4.5%

Energy

Oil Production
0 bbl/day
Oil Consumption
700 bbl/day
Oil Reserves
0 bbl/day
Natural Gas Production
0 cu m
Natural Gas Consumption
0 cu m
Natural Gas Imports
0 cu m
Natural Gas Exports
0 cu m
Natural Gas Reserves
0 cu m

Communications

Telephone System
General Assessment: sparse system of microwave radio relay and HF radiotelephone communication stations Domestic: fixed-line connections only about 3 per 100 persons; mobile cellular usage about 30 per 100 persons International: country code - 269; landing point for the EASSy fiber-optic submarine cable system connecting East Africa with Europe and North America; HF radiotelephone communications to Madagascar and Reunion
Internet Country Code
.km

News & Weather

Current Weather

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Climate Overview

Tropical marine; rainy season (November to May)

Videos

1 curated YouTube videos.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the population of Comoros?
The population of Comoros is approximately 773,407.
What are the dining customs in Comoros?
Meals are commonly eaten with men and women separated, with the husband typically eating alone or with a parent or friend at the table while children and mothers eat in the kitchen. Males eating separately from females is a show of dignity and authority. Coconuts, bananas, and cassava are the main food crops Much food is imported because the best land is used for commercial crops such as vanilla, cloves, and perfume plants
What should I know about etiquette in Comoros?
Respect for elders is highly valued, and children are taught to respect all elders regardless of social status. Do: Show respect to elders regardless of their social status Most Comorans are Muslims, and mixed Arab and black African ancestry is common
What is family life like in Comoros?
Families are usually large, and many marriages are polygamous. Men are raised to see providing for the family as their responsibility, while housework is left to girls and women. A high percentage of the population still lives in straw huts The economy is based on agriculture and most people work on a farm
What is the capital of Comoros?
Moroni is the capital and largest city of Comoros, situated on the western coast of Ngazidja (Grande Comore), the largest island in the archipelago. The city serves as the political and administrative center of the federal republic and is home to the country's main port. Moroni retains a distinctly Arab-influenced character, visible in its narrow medina streets, whitewashed buildings, and the landmark Friday Mosque along the seafront.
Where is Comoros located?
Comoros is an island nation located in the Indian Ocean, off the eastern coast of Africa at the northern mouth of the Mozambique Channel, between Madagascar and the coast of Mozambique. The archipelago consists of three main islands — Ngazidja (Grande Comore), Mwali (Mohéli), and Nzwani (Anjouan) — along with numerous smaller islets. Geographically part of Africa, Comoros is also culturally tied to the Arab world and the broader Swahili coast.
What are the ocean and sea borders of Comoros?
As an island nation, Comoros shares no land borders. It is surrounded entirely by the Indian Ocean, with the Mozambique Channel lying to its west, separating it from mainland Mozambique and Tanzania. Madagascar lies to the southeast. The country's exclusive economic zone encompasses a substantial expanse of Indian Ocean waters, though the nation's modest fishing and maritime resources have remained underleveraged relative to its economic needs.
What religion is practiced in Comoros?
Sunni Islam is the dominant religion of Comoros, adhered to by approximately 98% of the population, making it one of the most uniformly Muslim countries in Africa. Islam shapes daily life, social norms, gender roles, and legal customs throughout the islands. The remaining roughly 2% of the population is Roman Catholic. The country's deep Islamic heritage is reflected in its architecture, education system, and cultural practices, including the widespread observance of Islamic holidays and traditions.
What is the currency of Comoros?
The official currency of Comoros is the Comorian franc, with the ISO currency code KMF. The franc is pegged to the euro through an arrangement with France, providing a degree of monetary stability in an otherwise fragile economy. Comoros is considered one of the world's poorest nations, with an economy heavily reliant on subsistence agriculture, remittances from the Comorian diaspora, and the export of cash crops such as ylang-ylang, cloves, and vanilla.
What languages are spoken in Comoros?
Comoros has three official languages: Arabic, French, and Shikomori. Shikomori is a group of closely related dialects blending Swahili and Arabic influences and serves as the primary language of everyday communication for most Comorians. French remains prominent in government administration, higher education, and formal institutions, a legacy of French colonial rule, which ended with independence in 1975. Arabic holds importance in religious instruction and Islamic scholarship across the islands.
What is the geography of Comoros like?
Comoros is a small volcanic archipelago characterized by rugged, mountainous terrain, fertile coastal lowlands, and dense tropical vegetation. Mount Karthala, an active stratovolcano on Grande Comore, is one of the world's largest active volcanoes and rises to approximately 2,361 meters. The islands experience a tropical marine climate with a hot, humid season and a cooler dry season. Limited arable land and vulnerability to volcanic eruptions and cyclones pose persistent challenges to the islands' agricultural economy.
What is Comoros known for?
Comoros is known above all as one of the world's leading producers of ylang-ylang, the intensely fragrant flower used in perfume manufacturing, alongside significant exports of cloves and vanilla. The islands are also noted for a remarkable blend of Arab, African, and French cultural influences visible in their architecture, cuisine, and language. A distinctive feature of Comorian society is the tradition of magnahouli — landholdings controlled by women and inherited through the female line, a surviving matriarchal custom. Comoros is equally associated with a turbulent political history, having experienced more than 19 coups or coup attempts since independence in 1975.

Last reviewed 2026

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