The Comoros is a small volcanic archipelago off the south-eastern coast of Africa, between Mozambique and Madagascar, with a population blending African, Arab and French influences.
Geography & landscape
Comoros sits in Eastern Africa, in the southern hemisphere of Africa. With an area of approximately 1,862 km², it is a compact territory, set in the southern hemisphere and exposed to the tropical climate band typical of its latitude. Its capital, Moroni, lies near coordinates -12.17°, 44.25°.
The country shares the cultural and geographic context of Africa, with neighbouring states and trade routes shaped by its position in the wider Eastern Africa region. Topography, watersheds and coastline (where present) define the practical realities of agriculture, settlement and transport across Comoros.
People & society
The population of Comoros is around 850K. Communities, dialects and customs vary by region, and the country’s sense of identity is shaped by its history, its borders and the everyday rhythms of its towns and cities.
Comoros recognises multiple official languages — Comorian, Arabic and French — reflecting the cultural plurality at the heart of national life. The choice of language often shifts with region, audience and context.
Government & politics
Comoros is structured as a federal presidential republic. Political authority is exercised through institutions based primarily in Moroni, with the head of state and head of government performing constitutional roles defined by the country’s legal framework. Domestic policy, foreign relations and the administration of public services all flow from this constitutional core.
Economy & currency
The official currency of Comoros is the Comorian Franc (KMF). Monetary policy, banking, taxation and trade are managed nationally, often in coordination with regional and international institutions. Major economic activity tends to cluster around Moroni and other principal urban centres, with secondary economies built on the country’s natural resources, manufacturing capacity and service industries.
Culture & everyday life
The cultural footprint of Comoros shows up in cuisine, music, sport, religious life, festivals and design. National holidays mark the country’s historical pivots; family meals, café culture and street life follow patterns rooted in geography and tradition. International audiences usually meet Comoros through its sport, its music, its food, or the global diaspora that carries those things abroad.
Travel essentials
The capital, Moroni, is the natural starting point for first-time visitors. International dialling uses the country code +269, and clocks are set to the EAT (UTC+3) time zone. ISO standards identify Comoros as KM (alpha-2) and COM (alpha-3) — useful when booking flights, decoding number plates, or matching customs paperwork. The flag, 🇰🇲, appears at every border post and on every passport.
By the numbers
Sort or filter the table below to compare key metrics at a glance.
| Metric | Value | Unit / Note |
|---|---|---|
| Capital city | Moroni | — |
| Continent | Africa | — |
| Sub-region | Eastern Africa | — |
| Population | 850K | people |
| Area | 1,862 | km² |
| Currency | Comorian Franc (KMF) | — |
| Calling code | +269 | international dialling |
| Time zone | EAT (UTC+3) | standard time |
| Government type | Federal presidential republic | — |
| ISO 3166 alpha-2 | KM | 2-letter code |
| ISO 3166 alpha-3 | COM | 3-letter code |
| Latitude | -12.17 | degrees |
| Longitude | 44.25 | degrees |
Did you know?
The Comoros is the world's largest producer of ylang-ylang, a flower whose oil is essential to fine perfumery.
