Comoros

Comoros is an island nation in the Indian Ocean north of the Mozambique Channel off the east coast of Africa. It is bordered by Madagascar and Mayotte to the southeast, Tanzania to the northwest, Mozambique to the west, and Seychelles to the northeast. The largest city in its capital is Moroni. The religion of the majority population and the official state religion is Sunni Islam. As a member of the Arab League, it is the only country in the entire Southern Hemisphere Arab world. It is a member of the African Union, the International Organization of Francophone, the Organization of Islamic Cooperation and the Indian Ocean Commission. The country has three official languages: Comorian, French and Arabic.

Comoros is the fourth smallest African country with an area of ​​1,861 km2 (719 sq mi), with the exception of the disputed Mayotte Island. Excluding Mayotte, the population is projected to be 850,886 by 2019. As a country formed at the crossroads of diverse cultures, the archipelago is known for its diverse culture and history.

The sovereign state consists of three large islands and several smaller islands, all located in the volcanic Comoros. The major islands are commonly known by French names. To the northwest are Grandeco Moro (Gajija), Mwali (Mwari) and Anjuan (Nazwani). Mayotte voted against French independence in 1974, but the country also claims to be the fourth largest island, the southeastern Mayotte (Mayore). France has vetoed a UN Security Council resolution reaffirming Comoros' sovereignty over the island. In addition, Mayotte became a foreign territory and a territory of France in 2011, following a dramatic transition to independence.

Comoros was first settled by Bantu speakers of East African, Arab and Austronesian descent. Before independence in 1975, it became part of the French colonial empire in the 19th century. Since then, various national leaders have been assassinated and more than 20 coup attempts have been made. In addition to this persistent political instability, the Gini coefficient is over 60%, income inequality is the worst of any country and it is in the worst quarter of the Human Development Index. As of 2008, nearly half the population lived below the international poverty line of US $ 1.25 a day. The French island region of Mayotte, the richest region of the Mozambique Channel, is a major destination for migrants to the independent islands.