
Comoros
Legal breakdown by identity
Learn about Comoros
Beyond the scoreLearn about Comoros.Official names, languages, local time and practical context for understanding Comoros beyond its legal score.
Destination overview
About Comoros.
Islands of Fire and Perfume
Rising from the warm waters of the Mozambique Channel, the Comoros is a volcanic archipelago where ylang ylang flowers scent the air and ancient coral towns cling to hillsides above turquoise lagoons. Three islands form this small nation: Grande Comore with its still active Mount Karthala, the lush forests of Mohéli, and the densely terraced slopes of Anjouan. Arab, African, Malagasy and French influences blend here into a culture unlike any other in the Indian Ocean.
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Beneath the Waves
The waters surrounding the Comoros are among the richest in the western Indian Ocean, sheltering a spectacular array of marine life that includes sea turtles, dolphins and the fabled coelacanth, a prehistoric fish once thought to be extinct. Mohéli Marine Park protects pristine coral reefs where humpback whales breach between July and October. Diving and snorkelling here feel less like tourism and more like stumbling onto something the rest of the world forgot to find.
Spice and Soul
Comoros is one of the world’s largest producers of ylang ylang, vanilla and cloves, and the scent of these crops drifts through villages where daily life moves to the rhythm of the muezzin’s call. The old medina quarters of Moroni and Mutsamudu reveal carved wooden doors, winding stone alleys and centuries of Swahili trading history. A grand marriage celebration, the anda, can last for days and remains the centrepiece of Comorian social life.
The Quiet Corner
Tourism here is still in its early chapters, which means fewer crowds, genuine encounters and the thrill of discovering a place that has not yet been polished for visitors. Getting around takes patience, infrastructure is modest, and that is part of the charm. For travellers who prize authenticity over convenience, the Comoros rewards curiosity with warmth, beauty and stories that few others will ever hear.
Official names
- Union of the Comoros (English)
- Union des Comores (French)
- اتحاد جزر القمر (Ittihad Juzur al-Qamar) (Arabic)
- Udzima wa Komori (Ngazidja Comorian)
Region
- Western Indian Ocean
Continent
- Africa
Total population
866,628
2024 data
Capital
- Moroni
Currency
- Comorian Franc (KMF · CF)
Driving side
- right side of the road
Electricity
Languages
Arabic
Official by law · ISO 639-3: ara
French
Official by law · ISO 639-3: fra
Ngazidja Comorian
Official by law · Indigenous · ISO 639-3: zdj
Mwali Comorian
Official in practice · Indigenous · ISO 639-3: wlc
Ndzwani Comorian
Official in practice · Indigenous · ISO 639-3: wni
Current time and time zone
East Africa TimeEAT
Indian/Comoro
Largest cities
- Moroni · 90,383
2024 data
- Mutsamudu · 30,000
2024 data
- Fomboni · 19,000
2024 data
- Domoni · 15,000
2024 data
- Mitsamiouli · 12,000
2024 data
Busiest airports
- Prince Said Ibrahim International AirportHAH · 250,000 annual passenger movements
2023 data
- Ouani AirportAJN · 60,000 annual passenger movements
2023 data
- Bandar Es Salaam AirportNWA · 15,000 annual passenger movements
2023 data