Comoros

**Comoros** (officially called **Union of the Comoros**) is a small island nation in the Indian Ocean. It is between Madagascar and mainland Africa.  The capital is Moroni on Grande Comore.  The population (except for Mayotte) is about 798,000 people.

The Comoros Islands are in the Indian Ocean, between Mozambique and Madagascar. It is the southernmost member state of the Arab League.

There are 4 islands from west to east: Grande Cormore, Moheli, Anjouan and Mayotte.  All the islands are of volcanic origin. Islam is the official religion of Comoros with over 90% of the population being Sunni Muslims.

Mayotte is also a territory that is claimed by Comoros but is a part of France as an oversea territory. The other islands form the independent state of Comoros.

The country has a history with many _coup d'état_ since independence in 1975. As of 2008, about half the people live below the international poverty line of US$1.25 a day.

Mount Karthala is the country's highest point. Karthala is an active shield volcano on Grand Cormore. It had a minor eruption in May 2006.

## Geography

The Comoros is formed by Ngazidja (Grande Comore), Mwali (Mohéli) and Nzwani (Anjouan), the three major islands in the Comoros Archipelago. There are also many minor islets. The islands are officially known by their Comorian language names. International sources still use their French names (given in parentheses above). The capital and largest city is Moroni on Ngazidja.

At 2,034 km2 (785 sq mi), it is one of the smallest countries in the world. The interiors of the islands vary from steep mountains to low hills.

### Climate

The climate is generally tropical and mild. The rainy season runs from December to April. It is called kashkazi/kaskazi, meaning north monsoon. The cool, dry season is from May to November. It is called kusi, meaning south monsoon.

The temperature reaches an average of  in March, the hottest month. The average low is  in the dry season. The islands are rarely subject to cyclones.

The islands have their own ecoregion, the Comoros forests.

## Government

The President of the Comoros is both head of state and head of government. The constitution was adopted on 23 December 2001. It was last amended in May 2009.

In November 1975, the Comoros became the 143rd member of the United Nations. The citizens of Mayotte chose to become French citizens and keep their island as a French territory.

There is a small standing army. This includes a 500-member police force and a 500-member defense force. A treaty with France provides navy protection for territorial waters.

## Economy

The Comoros is one of the world's poorest countries.  Agriculture is the leading sector of the economy. Agriculture includes fishing, hunting, and forestry.

The Comoros is the world's largest producer of ylang-ylang. It is a large producer of vanilla.

## Infobox (country)

- **conventional long name**: Union of the Comoros
- **common name**: Comoros
- **image flag**: Flag of the Comoros.svg
- **image coat**: Seal of the Comoros.svg
- **symbol type**: Seal
- **image map**: Location Comoros AU Africa.svg
- **image map2**: Comoros - Location Map (2013) - COM - UNOCHA.svg
- **national anthem**: _Udzima wa ya Masiwa_
()<div style="padding-top:0.5em;"></div>
- **demonym**: Comorian
- **capital**: Moroni, Comoros, Moroni
- **largest city**: capital
- **religion**: Sunni Islam
- **government type**: Federal state, Federal Presidential system, presidential republic
- **leader title1**: President of the Comoros, President
- **leader name1**: Azali Assoumani
- **leader title2**: President of the Assembly
- **leader name2**: Moustadroine Abdou
- **area rank**: 171th<sup>a</sup>
- **area km2**: 1,659
- **area sq mi**: 719
- **percent water**: negligible
- **population estimate**: 850,688
- **population estimate year**: 2018
- **population estimate rank**: 160th
- **population density km2**: 457
- **population density sq mi**: 1,184
- **population density rank**: 27th
- **gdp ppp year**: 2019
- **gdp ppp**: $2.446 billion
- **gdp ppp per capita**: $2,799
- **gdp ppp rank**: 178th
- **gdp ppp per capita rank**: 177th
- **gdp nominal**: $1.179 billion
- **gdp nominal year**: 2019
- **gdp nominal per capita**: $1,349
- **gdp nominal rank**: 182nd
- **gdp nominal per capita rank**: 165th
- **gini year**: 2013
- **gini change**: decrease
- **gini**: 45.0
- **gini rank**: 141st
- **hdi year**: 2018
- **hdi change**: increase
- **hdi**: 0.538
- **hdi rank**: 156th
- **sovereignty type**: History of the Comoros, Formation
- **established event1**: Discovery by Portuguese explorers
- **established date1**: 1503
- **established event2**: Grande Comore, Ngazidja, Anjouan, Ndzuwani, Mohéli, Mwali under French rule
- **established date2**: 1886
- **established event3**: Protectorate of the Comoros
- **established date3**: 6 September 1887
- **established event4**: Territory under French Madagascar
- **established date4**: 9 April 1908
- **established event5**: French overseas departments and territories, Overseas territory
- **established date5**: 27 October 1946
- **established event6**: State of Comoros
- **established date6**: 22 December 1961
- **established event7**: Independence from France
- **established date7**: 6 July 1975
- **established event8**: Federal and Islamic Republic of Comoros
- **established date8**: 24 May 1978
- **established event9**: Union of the Comoros
- **established date9**: 23 December 2001
- **established event10**: Constitution of the Comoros, Current constitution
- **established date10**: 17 May 2009
- **currency**: Comorian franc
- **currency code**: KMF
- **time zone**: East Africa Time, EAT
- **utc offset**: +3
- **drives on**: Right
- **calling code**: +269
- **cctld**: .km
- **footnote a**: Excluding Mayotte, an overseas department of France.
- **footnote b**: Excluding Mayotte.