Destinations / The best countries in Africa / Madagascar

Total area: 587,041 km2
Population: 20,653,556 (2009 estimate)
Density: 35.2/km2
Currency: Malagasy ariary (MGA)
Official language(s): Malagasy, French
Capital: Antananarivo
Government: Caretaker government
Internet TLD: .mg
Calling code: +261

  Madagascar is an island nation situated in the Indian Ocean about 250 miles off the eastern coast of Africa. Madagascar occupies the world's fourth largest island and is separated from the southeastern coast of Africa by the Straits of Mozambique. The capital and largest city here is Antananarivo.

  After 1986, when the construction of socialism was abandoned, the main efforts were concentrated on trade liberalization, attracting foreign investments and less on tourism development. However, Madagascar remains to be a fascinating country, home to a unique culture and wildlife. 

  The sites that draw the most tourists are: the capital city, Antananarivo, with great tourist attractions among which Manjakamiadana, Rova citadel (1839), nowadays a museum; Tanovola, Colbert hotel building (1928) and others. Antananarivo is also the place where your itinerary will start towards different other places. The great diversity of relief and climate on its territory is associated with an exceptional array of fauna and flora, with over 250,000 species of animals, of which 70 % are unique; about 12,000 species of plants. The island is famous worldwide for the lemurs, being home to over 50 species of lemur. You can admire the unique wildlife in the Isalo National Park and Tsingy Nature Reserve. Besides wildlife, the island also offers lush forests and savannas, beautiful beaches, coral reefs and a great variety of sport opportunities.  

  In the western and south-western part of the island, the temperatures get very high during summer months (from November until March). 

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Maps of Madagascar