Mayotte, Comoro Islands

This southernmost island in the cresent-shaped Comoros archipelago is under French control. Encircled by a barrier reef, Mayotte is blessed with one of the world's perfect lagoons. In its lush forests, the fragrant yellow flowers of the ylang-ylang tree are picked to extract their perfumed oil. Against a backdrop of waterfalls and volcanic peaks, there is a feeling of rural tranquillity.