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Discover the Hidden Gems: Top 10 Fun Facts About Comoros You Never Knew!

illustration of comoros
Dive into the whirlpool of trivia and unravel the marvels of Comoros in a quirky, whimsical fashion with our list of fun facts about this island nation!

1. Lemurs and Sharks' Party Paradise

If lemurs and sharks got together for a party, they might just choose Comoros as their dance floor: This Indian Ocean nation, the only one in the Arab world entirely in the Southern Hemisphere, hosts 25 species of lemurs and some unique shark species rarely found elsewhere, all while being a hotspot for Sunni Islam and a proud member of the African Union.
Source => en.wikipedia.org

2. Livingstone's Fruit Bat Eye Fashion

What's red, orange, and batty all over? Livingstone's fruit bat eyes, of course: These dazzling ocular marvels allow the critically endangered bats to expertly navigate the montane forests of Moheli and Anjouan in the Comoros islands, with their vivid reflections of orange and red due to their superior vision.
Source => en.wikipedia.org

3. Volcanic Karaoke at Karthala Shield

Oh, the volcanic karaoke: Comoros hosts the Karthala Shield volcano that just can't stop belting out its molten lava tunes! Since the 1800s, it has erupted multiple times, most recently in 2007. But fear not, adrenaline junkies: Karthala serves up a fiery cocktail of adventure and stunning vistas as you hike through the verdant rainforest draped over its slopes.
Source => volcano.si.edu

4. Coelacanth: Mermaid's Mysterious Fish

Once a mythical mermaid's pet but now just a modern fish out of temporal water: The Comoros archipelago boasts a thriving colony of Latimeria chalumnae, or coelacanths, which were believed to be extinct until their surprising rediscovery in 1938. These ancient, fabulous fish still swim the depths, growing up to two meters long and maintaining mysterious lifestyles – researchers still haven't caught them in the act of reproduction or predation. Channeling the charm of living fossils, Comoros hosts around 300 to 400 of these enigmatic swimmers, but their future hangs in the balance as deep-set fishing nets threaten to cut their limelight short.
Source => news.mongabay.com

Rihanna vs. "Cloud Coup Coup Land"

5. Rihanna vs. "Cloud Coup Coup Land"

Step aside, Rihanna: the real umbrella-coup maestro can be found off the coast of Africa! The Comoros islands, a whirlwind of political intrigue, have flipped the script on government power plays with an average of one coup every 22 months since gaining independence in 1975. This island nation's penchant for political ping-pong has earned them the bizarre, yet fitting, nickname "cloud coup coup land."
Source => worldtravelguide.net

6. Baobab Trees: Biblical Water Tanks

In a tale of biblical proportions, the Comoros' baobab trees are like living, breathing water tanks that could give Noah's Ark a run for its money: These ancient giants of the Adansonia genus not only tower over the arid sub-Saharan landscape, but are also known for their impressive age – with some dating back over 2,000 years – and their remarkable ability to store vast amounts of water in their trunks and branches to weather extended periods of drought.
Source => en.wikipedia.org

7. Mayotte's Unbreakable French Romance

In a world where breakups are common: It was Mayotte that decided to "keep the ring" and remain with France! This tiny archipelago of Comoros became a cherished French colony in 1843, and even as the rest of the Comoros islands gained independence in 1975, Mayotte chose to stay French – not once, but twice – with an overwhelming 99.4% voting in favor in 1976. Finally, in 2011, France said "I do" once again, making Mayotte its fifth overseas department and 101st department in total.
Source => diplomatie.gouv.fr

8. Coelacanth's Jurassic Park Escape

In a real-life "Jurassic Park" comeback story without the terrifying T-Rex: Comoros is the aquatic haven of the coelacanth fish, an elusive character thought to be extinct for over 70 million years until fate befriended it in 1938 off the captivating coast of Comoro Islands, making the region a vital researcher's treasure trove for this swimming fossil.
Source => en.wikipedia.org

9. "The Grand Mariage" Movie Spectacle

If wedding planners moonlight as superheroes in Comoros, we can only imagine the movie: "The Grand Mariage: Six Months to Ten Years of Proportionately Astounding Suspense and Awe!" – Coming soon to a ceremony near you: In Comoros, the Grand Mariage is an extravagant event that takes up to a decade of preparation, costs a whopping 20,000 euros, and is essential for men to earn the right to wear traditional garb. This magnificent occasion not only bestows high social status but also ensures Comoran brides receive a significant fortune from their grooms, making beauty rituals like the weeks-to-months-long Mesenzal an unmissable part of the matrimonial affair.
Source => bluelatitudesgroup.rezdy.com

Comoros' VIP Feathery Friends

10. Comoros' VIP Feathery Friends

Whoever said "a bird in the hand is worth two in the bush" clearly hasn't visited the Comoros, where two feathery VIPs reign supreme: The Comoros are home to the endangered Anjouan scops owl and the Anjouan sparrow hawk, two of the rarest bird species in the world, with ongoing efforts to preserve their treetop palaces and ensure the survival of their royal highnesses.
Source => encyclopedia.com

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