Comoros
Africa · Moroni · KM
The Comoros is the small island nation of the Mozambique Channel, the archipelago of the four main islands and the many islets that lies between the continent of Africa and the island of the Madagascar in the warm waters of the Indian Ocean. The country, historically a crucible of the African, the Arab and the Malagasy peoples and cultures, is famous for its ancient mosques of the stone, its volcanic landscape, its perfume plantations of the ylang-ylang and the vanilla, and its slow island rhythm. The capital of the Moroni, with its great white mosque and the old streets of the stone, and the markets and the beaches of the islands complete the picture of the small, beautiful and deeply hospitable nation. The volcano of the Karthala, the highest point of the country, dominates the main island, and the coral reefs and the dhows of the coastline set the enduring character of the Indian Ocean world of the Comoros.
Overview
Comoros is a country in Africa. Its capital is Moroni and the international dialling code is +269. Languages commonly used in everyday life here include Comorian, Arabic and French. Local currency is the Comorian Franc (KMF). We also list 1 city in Comoros: Moroni.
The Capital of the Moroni and the White Mosque of the Coast
The capital of the Moroni, the historic city of the coast of the main island of the Grand Comore that climbs the green slopes above the turquoise bay, is the cultural and political heart of the country, a town of the white buildings, the old stone streets and the powerful perfume of the spices. The great mosque of the capital, the magnificent structure of the white coral stone that anchors the seafront, is the focal point of the life of the city, and the old quarter near the mosque, with its carved wooden doors and its stalls, holds the deep island tradition of the country. The markets of the capital, with the fish, the ylang-ylang, the vanilla and the crafts of the islands, complete the picture of the small, fragrant capital of the archipelago.
The Volcano of the Karthala and the Crater Lake of the Summit
The volcano of the Karthala, the enormous active shield cone that dominates the whole of the main island of the Grand Comore, is the great natural landmark of the country, the highest elevation of the archipelago and one of the larger active volcanoes of the Indian Ocean. The volcano, which last erupted at the beginning of the century, carries in the summit crater the astonishing lake of the deep forest, reached by the demanding multi-day trek through the cloud forest of the upper slopes with its tree ferns and its strange endemic flora. The climb, with the guides of the villages, the bivouacs of the outer crater and the dawn views over the island and the sea, is the great adventure of the archipelago, and the red and black landscapes give the visitor the raw living forge of the island nation.
The Perfume Plantations and the Ylang of the Islands
The perfume economy of the country, built on the fragrant distillation of the ylang-ylang, the essence that perfumes the greatest bottles of the world, together with the vanilla, the cloves and the cinnamon of the gardens, is the deep agricultural heart of the nation and the source of its old renown as the perfume islands. The plantations of the islands, the farms of the small holders where the trees of the ylang and the dark green vines of the vanilla thread through the slopes above the villages, open their distilling sheds and their drying racks to the curious visitor. The visits of the plantations, following the process of the harvest to the essence, give the unforgettable experience of the scent world of the Comoros, and the traditional perfumeries of the capital and the markets of the islands sell the precious oils of the national treasure.
The Dhows of the Sailing and the Reefs of the Islands
The dhows of the archipelago, the wooden sailing boats of the Indian Ocean tradition that still carry the trade, the pilgrims and the fishermen of the islands across the channels, are the living symbols of the maritime culture of the Comoros. The building yards of the islands, the shipwrights of the small ports who shape the hulls of the dhows from the hardwood of the forests by hand, preserve the ancient craft of the ocean sailing. The coral reefs that ring the islands, the walls of the living stone that drop into the deep blue of the channels, offer the diving and the snorkelling with the manta rays, the turtles and the enormous fish of the protected waters, and the sailing trips between the islands give the classic voyaging experience of the Indian Ocean.
The Villages of the Islands and the Life of the Markets
The villages of the islands, the settlements of the white stone houses and the straw-thatched kitchens that cling to the volcanic slopes above the beaches, hold the daily life of the country, with the mosques of their quarters, the tombs of their saints and the dances and the ceremonies of their festivals. The markets of the islands, the great gatherings of the trade of the villages that take the name of the day of the week in the language of the country, are the vivid pulse of the archipelago, where the fish, the fruit, the spices and the women with their crowns fill the shaded squares of the towns. The customs of the country, the great ceremonies of the marriage with their royal robes, their processions and their enormous feasts, and the daily Ramadan of the faithful islanders give the visitor the deep welcoming warmth of the Comorian hospitality.
Compare hotels, cover your trip and stay connected.
- Capital
- Moroni
- Currency
- Comorian Franc (KMF)
- Languages
- Comorian, Arabic, French
- Calling code
- +269
- Internet TLD
- km
Entry requirements
Check who can enter →See which passports travel visa-free or need a visa to enter Comoros.
Cities (1)
All cities →Frequently asked questions
What is the capital of Comoros?
Moroni is the capital of Comoros, and the country sits in Africa.
What currency is used in Comoros?
You pay with Comorian Franc (KMF) in Comoros. Exchange rates move day to day, so check the current rate before you change money or use your card abroad.
Which languages do people speak in Comoros?
The languages we list for Comoros are Comorian, Arabic and French. A couple of greetings in the local language go a long way when you travel, even in cities where another language is widely used.
What is the international dialling code for Comoros?
The dialling code for Comoros is +269 — keep the plus sign when you save the number.
Which cities in Comoros do you cover?
Our guide lists 1 city for Comoros: Moroni (capital).