Comoros

Three volcanic islands rise sharply from the Indian Ocean between Madagascar and mainland Africa, their slopes covered in tropical forests and cultivated terraces. Grande Comore, Anjouan and Mohéli feature rugged coastlines, black sand beaches and mountain peaks reaching over 2400 meters (7870 feet) above sea level. Fishing villages dot the shores while agricultural communities occupy inland valleys and hillsides where spice crops grow in volcanic soil.

Arab traders established sultanates across these islands starting in the 9th century, creating trade networks that connected East African coastal settlements with Middle Eastern markets. Portuguese navigators arrived in the 16th century but never established permanent control, leaving the sultanates largely autonomous until French colonization began in the 19th century. Independence came in 1975 after a referendum, though Mayotte voted to remain French territory, leading to ongoing sovereignty disputes and more than twenty coups in the decades following separation from colonial rule.

Sunni Islam shapes daily life across the islands, with mosques marking each village center and call to prayer echoing through coastal settlements. Traditional wedding ceremonies can last several days, involving elaborate gift exchanges and communal feasts that reflect the importance of family networks. Vanilla, cloves and ylang-ylang cultivation forms both an economic foundation and cultural identity for farming communities throughout the archipelago.

International flights arrive at Prince Said Ibrahim International Airport on Grande Comore from East African cities and select Gulf states, with small aircraft and ferries connecting the three main islands. Shared taxis operate along paved roads within each island, though many coastal villages remain accessible only by boat. The dry season from May through October offers calmer seas for inter-island travel and clearer weather for exploring mountain trails, while cyclones can disrupt transportation from November through April.

Mount Karthala on Grande Comore contains one of the largest active volcanic craters on Earth, measuring 3 kilometers (1.9 miles) across at its widest point. The last major eruption occurred in 2005, forcing thousands to evacuate, while the lava lake within continues to show activity with occasional gas emissions that affect farming communities on the volcano slopes. Climbers can trek to the crater rim, though access depends on current volcanic activity levels monitored by local authorities.

Inception: December 23, 2001

Capital city: Moroni

Part of: East Africa

Shares border with: Madagascar, France, Mozambique, Seychelles, Tanzania

Website: https://beit-salam.km

GPS coordinates: -12.20452,44.28330

Latest update: November 30, 2025 19:00