Moroni lies on the west coast of Comoros' largest island, Grande Comore. The small capital is often referred to as Port-aux-Boutres and its port looks more Mediterranean, rather than African, with wooden boats lying side by side. Most boats are hand-built and serve as dories to ships visiting the archipelago, as larger boats cannot get through the coral reefs surrounding the island. Directly behind the port is the medina, or Arabic quarter, that, with its many small winding alleyways and little shops, shows that Comoros is in Africa indeed. The medina dates back to Swahili times.
Moroni is an easy place to find your way in, except for the medina where you easily get lost. From the center, which is around the harbor, a few main streets run north. South of the center you can go into several directions. The airstrip is also south of the center. Taxis run between the airport and the city. The Musée des Comoros displays the geography of Mount Karthala, as well as its history. An example of a coelacanth, a fish that was though to be extinct until one was caught in the area in 1938, is also part of the exhibition.
The bulk of hotels and bungalows are situated on the northern part of the city; restaurants and cafés are scattered all over Moroni.
Hours from UTC: 3
Daylight savings time: n/a
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