Comoros

In brief

The Comoros are a country in East Africa. Their capital is Moroni. With 882,847 inhabitants in 2025, it ranks 159th in the world by population, out of the 195 countries recognised by the UN. Their area is 1,862 km². An island nation, the Comoros have no land border.

GDP per capita stands at $2,056 (2025), 155th in the world. Life expectancy at birth is 67 years (2024). 34% of the population lives in cities.

History of the Comoros

A crossroads of Swahili trade, the islands were ruled by sultanates before coming under French protection in the 19th century. The Comoros declared independence on 6 July 1975, but Mayotte chose to remain French, which the Union of the Comoros disputes. The country has had a long series of coups; since 2001 a federal constitution has rotated the presidency among the islands.

Geography of the Comoros

A volcanic archipelago in the Mozambique Channel, the Union of the Comoros brings together Grande Comore, Mohéli and Anjouan. Karthala (2,361 m), on Grande Comore, is one of the most active volcanoes in the world.

Map of the Comoros

Download the map (SVG)Interactive world map

Flag of the Comoros

The flag of the Comoros is red, white, blue, green and yellow. Its official proportions are 3:5 (height to width).

• Blue22%
• Yellow22%
• Green22%
• White19%
• Red16%

Share of the flag’s surface taken by each colour.

What the flag stands for

Four bands, yellow, white, red and blue, for the four islands of the archipelago, Mayotte included. A green triangle bears a crescent and four stars, symbols of Islam and of the islands.

Sources: Wikipedia, articles “Comoros” and “Flag of the Comoros”.

See also: flags with a star, flags with a crescent moon.

Download the flag (SVG) All the flags of the world

Fact file

Economy and society