Comores

Comoros, officially the Union of the Comoros, is a sovereign archipelago nation in the Indian Ocean, at the northern end of the Mozambique Channel between Madagascar and the African mainland. The country comprises three major islands—Grande Comore (Ngazidja), Mohéli (Mwali), and Anjouan (Ndzuani)—and numerous smaller islands. Mayotte, though geographically part of the group, is a separate French overseas department.

With a population of around one million, the largest city and national capital is Moroni, located on Grande Comore. The majority of residents are Muslims. Official languages are Comorian (a set of Swahili-based languages), Arabic, and French; English is less common. French is widely used in administration and education. The currency is the Comorian franc (KMF).

The Union of the Comoros is a presidential republic with a rotating presidency among the islands. The Union government handles foreign affairs, defense, and budgeting, while each island retains its own government and assembly.

Economy is small and largely based on subsistence farming, fishing, and the export of vanilla, cloves, ylang-ylang, and spices. Tourism is growing but limited by infrastructure. Remittances and international aid are significant. The country faces challenges including poverty, climate vulnerability, and debt.

History: Early settlement by Bantu and Arab traders; colonized by France; independence in 1975; internal political instability with coups and secession attempts from Anjouan and Mohéli; 2001-2002 constitutional changes created the current Union.

Environment: The archipelago features tropical forests, coral reefs, and endemic species. Deforestation, soil erosion, and climate-related events pose challenges to biodiversity and livelihoods.