Madagascar country guideMadagascar country guide

Madagascar with its capital Antananarivo is located in Africa. It covers an area of approximately 587.040 square kilmoters. Roughly 20.042.000 people live in Madagascar. French (fr-MG) and Malagasy (mg) are spoken in this country. When looking for domains, their top-level-domain is .mg. Dial +261 to reach a number in Madagascar. The currency in Madagascar is Ariary.

Info about Madagascar

A land unlike any other, Madagascar is an enticing destination for those who find its lack of modern conveniences, tourist infrastructure and efficient transport system an interesting proposition rather than a problem.

The fourth largest island in the world, Madagascar is one of the most bio-diverse countries on earth, home to thousands of species of plant and animal life of which about 80 percent cannot be found anywhere else on the planet. Lying off the east coast of Africa, Madagascar is very different from its African neighbor, and its uniqueness in the world has led some to class it as the Eighth Continent.

Madagascar is world famous for its lemurs, of which there are about 50 different types, ranging from the unusual to the utterly bizarre. Lemurs are endemic to the island and generally resemble a cross between a monkey and a squirrel; but lemurs are not the only curious creatures inhabiting this exotic realm. Dwarf chameleons, Tomato frogs, giant jumping rats and hedgehog-like tenrecs are among the host of peculiar indigenous fauna, while the country's isolation has developed plants with remarkable shapes such as the swollen Baobab, Madagascar's national tree, and the spiny forest that exhibits an incomparable ecozystem. Wilderness areas such as Isalo National Park and Tsingy Nature Reserve are wonderful places to discover Madagascar's exotic fauna, flora and striking geological features.

Besides this natural wonderland, Madagascar also has its share of beautiful beaches and wonderful coral reefs, such as those found on the cluster of islands off the north east coast. Best known is Nossi Bé; while Ile Ste-Marie off the east coast, and Toliara in the south, are also major attractions for divers, snorkellers and sunbathers. The bustling capital, and first and last stop for visitors arriving by air, is Antananarivo, or 'Tana', which has a distinctly French flavour and is an excellent place to shop for Malagasy arts and crafts. Go looking for the unexpected and be ready to mingle with a warm-hearted nation, and you will find an undeniably fascinating destination that makes for a refreshingly different sort of holiday under the tropical sunshine.

Images from Madagascar

Baobab Avenue after sunset
Uploaded by: David Thyberg on Panoramio.com

Madagascar, paisaje cálido
Uploaded by: Antonio Torres Sánchez on Panoramio.com

Les Hauts Plateaux
Uploaded by: Vivi on Panoramio.com

Old french colonial house in Fianarantsoa
Uploaded by: David Thyberg on Panoramio.com

Panorama over Tsingy de Bemaraha
Uploaded by: David Thyberg on Panoramio.com

Lake Tritriva
Uploaded by: David Thyberg on Panoramio.com

Photos provided by Panoramio are under the copyright of their owners.

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