Country Guide • Comoros
Comoros is located at the northern end of the Mozambique Channel between Mozambique and Madagascar. It is a group of four islands, Grande Comore, Anjouan, Moheli and also Mayotte (which is not part of the country and retains ties to France). The Comoros Islands are volcanic in origin and Grande Comore has an active volcano known as Mount Kartala and over 50% of that island is a desert lava field.
Official Name | Federal Islamic Republic of the Comoros |
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Area | 2,170km² (838mile²) |
Population | 632,900 |
Continent | Africa |
Population per mile² | 755 |
Capital City | Moroni |
Religions | 99% Sunni Muslims, 1% Roman Catholic |
Language | French and Arabic |
Government | Federal Islamic Republic |
Currency | Franc |
GDP | $441 million |
GDP per Head | $720 |
Natural Resources | These are negligible |
Land Use | Arable Land 35% |
Agriculture | Cassava, Cloves, Copra, Coconuts, Bananas, Perfume Essences and Vanilla |
Industry | Tourism, perfume distillation, vanilla, cloves |
Tourism | Today, the Comoros are 'Forgotten Islands' and not frequented by tourists.This may have something to do with the islands' reputation as a backwater, but also its reputation with political coups. The islands possess an abundance of life in the sea around the islands and one can see everything from giant whales to tiny shrimp. There are several coral reefs and miles of sandy beaches. The islands' mountainous terrains also offer a variety of habitats for land species. Livingstone's flying fox , a giant fruit bat with a wing span over four feet, is found nowhere else in the world |
Natural Hazards | Cyclones are possible during the rainy season (December to April) as are monsoonal winds (kashkazi). Le Kartala on Grand Comore is an active volcano |
Health Risks | There are no vaccinations required, but precautions against malaria should be taken |
Climate | Comoros has a tropical climate with a dry season from May - October and a wet season from November - April. In the wet season heavy rain and strong winds prevail while in the dry season the continental winds prevail from the south east. Average annual rainfall varies from 33 inches to 217 inches depending on the location. Average temperature ranges in Moroni are from 19 - 27°C in August to 24 - 31°C in March |
Time | GMT/UTC+3 hours |
National Days | July 6 |
Visas | A visa is required for all visitors Comoros. You must have onward plane tickets. 30 day visas can be obtained upon arrival. Mayotte does not require visas from residents of the EU, the USA, Canada, New Zealand, Australia and Israel. There are a few non EU European countries that also do not require visas but everyone else must have a visa |
British Embassy | Embassy Details |
Information Only
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