Comoros

Comoros flag

Basic facts of Comoros
Official name: Union of Comoros
Capital: Moroni
Area: 1,862 sq km, 719 sq mi
Population: 731,775 (2008 estimate)
Population growth rate: 2.80 percent (2008 estimate)
Population density: 337 persons per sq km, 873 persons per sq mi (2008 estimate)
Urban/rural distribution:
Share urban 36 percent (2005 estimate)
Share rural 64 percent (2005 estimate)
Largest cities: Moroni, Mutsamudu, Fomboni

Languages: Arabic (official), French (official), Shimasiwa (a blend of Swahili and Arabic)
Religious affiliations:
Muslim (largely Sunni) 98 percent
Roman Catholic 1 percent
Other 1 percent
Life expectancy:
Total 63.1 years (2008 estimate)
Female 65.5 years (2008 estimate)
Male 60.7 years (2008 estimate)
Literacy rate:
Total 56.8 percent (2005 estimate)
Female 49.7 percent (2005 estimate)
Male 63.9 percent (2005 estimate)
Form of government: Republic

Introduction:
Comoros, independent state comprising a group of islands in the Indian Ocean. Located at the northern end of the Mozambique Channel, the islands lie about 290 km (about 180 mi) from Mozambique and about 320 km (about 200 mi) from Madagascar. Comoros has been a self-governing state since 1975 when three of the four islands of the Comoros archipelago broke away from French rule. The three islands are Njazidja (also called Grande Comore), Nzwani (Anjouan) and Mwali (Mohéli). The capital city, Moroni, is located on Njazidja. Comoros claims sovereignty over the fourth island, Mayotte (also known as Mahore), but Mayotte is still a dependency of France with the status of a territorial collectivity. Islam is the state religion of Comoros.

Moroni Mosque, Comoros

Located in the Mozambique Channel between Africa and the island of Madagascar, the volcanic islands of Comoros have served as important ports since the 16th century. Arab merchants settled in Moroni, now the capital, and the city still retains many elements of Arab culture. This waterfront mosque, called a Friday mosque, is able to accommodate large congregations for the obligatory noon prayers on Fridays. Islam is the official religion of Comoros.

Fishing in the Comoros

The independent nation of Comoros comprises a group of volcanic islands in the northern Mozambique Channel. These fishing boats, anchored off the coast of the capital city of Moroni on the island of Njazidja (Grande Comore), attest to the important role fishing plays in the local economy. The waters off the Comoros are home to the coelacanth, a rare fish once thought to be extinct.