Comoros comprises three islands. Agriculture – including fishing, hunting and forestry – contributes 50% to GDP, employs 80% of the labour force and provides most of the exports. Export income is heavily reliant on the three main crops of vanilla, cloves and ylang-ylang. The country imports roughly 70% of its food, and rice – the main staple – accounts for the bulk of imports.

Name Union of the Comoros

Capital Moroni

Frequency of elections Every four years

Name of parliament Assembly of the Union

Parliament website www.auc.km

Languages Arabic, French, Shikomoro

Area 2 235 km²

Population 766 856 (July 2014 est)

Imports Rice, foodstuffs, consumer goods, petroleum products, cement, transport equipment

Exports Vanilla, ylang-ylang, cloves, copra

Currency Comoran franc

Source: CIA World Factbook
Image: Alamy