Fact 1: The Country of Four Islands
Comoros is a fascinating archipelago situated in the Indian Ocean off the eastern coast of Africa. It is made up of four islands: Grand Comore, Moheli, Anjouan, and Mayotte. Interestingly, however, Mayotte is still administered by France as an overseas department and is not part of the independent nation of Comoros, much to the chagrin of the Comorian government.
Fact 2: Tiny Population
Comoros is one of the smallest nations in the world in terms of population. With a populace of barely over 850,000 people, the nation yields a cozy, closed-knit community lifestyle that thrives on close social connections.
Fact 3: Did Somebody Say Volcano?
The largest island, Grand Comore, is also home to an active volcano named Mt. Karthala. It is the largest active volcano in the world and is known for its frequent eruptions, which have unfortunately caused significant disruptions for the local population over the years.
Fact 4: Biodiversity in Abundance
Despite its small size, Comoros is rich in biodiversity. The islands feature a blend of African, Arabian, and Madagascar animal species. Several unique and endangered species like the Livingstone's fruit bat and the Comoro black flying fox call Comoros their home.
Fact 5: Largest Exporter of Ylang-Ylang
Comoros is the leading global exporter of Ylang-Ylang, a vital ingredient in several kinds of perfume. This little-known fact firmly establishes Comoros as an essential stop on the global perfume industry's supply chain.
Fact 6: The Country of Many Coups
Since gaining independence from France in 1975, Comoros has endured more than 20 military coups or attempted coups, highlighting the nation's tumultuous political history. Notably, a French mercenary named Bob Denard was involved in four of them!
Fact 7: The Sunni Island Nation
Comoros is the third smallest African nation by area, but it is incredibly united in one aspect - religion. Almost all Comorians follow Sunni Islam, and Comoros is one of the few countries worldwide to have Islam as a state religion.
Fact 8: Unexplored Marine Wealth
The waters surrounding Comoros house potentially profitable oil and natural gas deposits. However, due to political instability and lack of strong foreign investment, these resources remain underexplored.
Fact 9: Comorian Franc
Despite not being administered by France anymore, Comoros uses the Comorian Franc as its official currency. This currency, interestingly, is pegged to the Euro, showcasing the longstanding economic relationships with France.
Fact 10: Latte is on Me
Comoros is also a major producer of vanilla, cloves, and essential oils besides Ylang-Ylang. It is even one of the world's smallest coffee exporters!
Fact 11: French Influence on Language
While Comorian or Shikomoro — an offshoot of Swahili — is the most spoken language, French and Arabic are also official languages of Comoros because of colonial and cultural influences.
Fact 12: A Matriarchal Society
In an interesting divergence from many of its African neighbors, Comoros is a matrilineal society. This means that heritage, lineage, and inheritance pass through the female line.
Fact 13: The Living Fossil
Comoros is home to the coelacanth, often referred to as a 'living fossil' because its fossils were found long before a live specimen was caught. It was believed to be extinct until a live one was found off Comoros's coast in 1938.
Fact 14: A Country for All Ages
Most of the country's population is under 30 years old, which highlights the incredibly youthful nature of Comoros.
Fact 15: UNESCO World Heritage Site
Comoros is home to one UNESCO World Heritage site - the “Ancienne Mosquée du Vendredi,” which translates to the Old Friday Mosque. It represents the enduring Islamic culture in Comoros.
Fact 16: Flying High
Comoros's national bird is the Livingstone's fruit bat, one of the largest bat species in the world. On the brink of extinction, conservation efforts are ongoing to protect this majestic creature.
Fact 17: Agriculture-dependent Economy
Most Comorians work in agriculture, with almost 80 percent of the workforce involved in this sector. This rural lifestyle of Comoros adds a traditional charm to it.
Fact 18: The "Perfume Islands"
The Comoros archipelago is often referred to as the "Perfume Islands" because of the abundant aromatic plants such as ylang-ylang, frangipani, vanilla, cloves, and lemongrass.
Fact 19: The Capital with French Roots
Comoros's capital city is Moroni, located on Grand Comore. The name "Moroni" translates to "in the heart of the fire", a nod to the city's proximity to Mt. Karthala.
Fact 20: Vanishing Rainforests
Regrettably, Comoros has one of the highest rates of deforestation in the world. This issue, combined with extensive hunting, threatens the islands' biodiversity. This reinforces the importance of conservation efforts in this biodiverse nation.