Queen Elizabeth II 25th Anniversary Coronation First Day Cover, The Comoro Islands postmarked on August 5, 1978.

The Comoro Islands

The Comoro Islands are an archipelago of volcanic origin situated in the Indian Ocean between Mozambique and the Malagasy Republic. There are four principal islands: Grand Comoro, Anjouan, Mayotte and Moheli, which are mountainous and fertile. Mangrove swamps line the shores, and forests cover the slopes from 1300 to 5800 ft. The highest point is Mt. Karthala, an active volcano which reaches 7746 ft. The islands lie in the rain shadow of Madagascar, and are thus relatively dry, but the climate is tropical with cool sea breezes.

Visited by Persians, Malays and Africans, the islands fell under Arab control in the 8th Century. European contact dates from the visit of James Lancaster in 1591, but it was not until 1843 that the French appeared on the scene, taking Mayotte, and in 1886 declaring a protectorate over the other islands as well. During the previous century the islands had been the victim of slave raids, and were the haunt of pirates. From 1914 till 1947 the islands formed part of Madagascar, from then until 1961 when they achieved internal autonomy they were an Overseas Territory of France. The Comoro Islands became independent in 1975.

The 300,000 inhabitants are a mixture of Arab, Malay and African; the predominant religion is Islam, and the main languages Arabic and Swahili. The towns, in particular the capital Moroni (where this issue was postmarked), have the same whitewashed appeal as those of Zanzibar, with closely built houses of several stories divided by winding alleys, and views of Arab dhows going quietly about their business in the harbours. The economy is based on agriculture, producing coconuts, cassava, sweet potatoes, rice, sugar, sisal, spices, perfume plants, cocoa and vanilla; and there is a little tourism, promoted by the possibilities of fishing for tuna, barracuda, shark, grouper, scad and even coelacanth.

This issue of the Comoro Islands was released on 8th May 1978, and is composed of four designs: 10F — a drummer of the Household Cavalry; 25F —the Coronation Coach; 40F — the Queen and Regalia; and 100F — St. Edward's Crown.