Moroni

For other places, people and things with the same name, see Moroni.

Moroni موروني Mūrūnī
City Centre of Moroni, Capital of the Comores, with Central Mosque and Harbor Bay. Photo by Sascha Grabow.
Moroni Location of Moroni on the island of Grande Comore
Coordinates: 11°45′S 43°12′E / 11.75°S 43.2°E / -11.75; 43.2
Country	Comoros
Island	Grand Comore
Capital city	1962
Population (2003)
- Total	60,200 (estimate)
Time zone	Eastern Africa Time (UTC+3)

Moroni (in Arabic موروني Mūrūnī) is the largest city of the Comoros and since 1958 has served as its capital. In Cormorian, Moroni translates as "in the heart of the fire", perhaps alluding to the city's proximity to Mount Karthala.^[1] The city's estimated population in 2003 was 60,200 residents.^[2][3]

History

Moroni was founded by Arabic settlers possibly during the 10th century BCE as the capital of a sultanate connected commercially to Zanzibar in Tanzania.^[4]

Geography

The city is located on the western coast of Grande Comore (also known as N'gazidja) island. Moroni is served by the Prince Said Ibrahim International Airport (IATA airport code: HAH). There is also a harbour with regular transport to the African mainland and the other islands in the Comoros archipelago, as well as Madagascar and other Indian ocean islands. Moroni is located at 11°45′S 43°12′E / 11.75°S 43.2°E / -11.75; 43.2Coordinates: 11°45′S 43°12′E / 11.75°S 43.2°E / -11.75; 43.2.

Commerce

Exports include vanilla, cocoa, and coffee.

Tourism

Moroni has many excellent beaches. The Ancienne Mosquée du Vendredi (Old Friday Mosque) is a popular tourist spot.

Moroni beach

City Centre of Moroni, Capital of the Comores, with Central Mosque, Harbor Bay and the surrounding area. Photo by Sascha Grabow.

Mosque with typical Comoro male in front of it, in the City Centre of Moroni. Photo by Sascha Grabow.

Climate

References

Africa portal

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