Madagascar
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At a glance
- Region
- Eastern Africa
- Capital
- Antananarivo
- Population
- 32 million (2024)
- Area
- 587,041 km²
- Languages
- French, Malagasy
- Currency
- Malagasy ariary (MGA)
- Drives on the
- right
- Calling code
- +261
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Before you go
Overview
Madagascar is located off the southeastern coast of Africa. It is the fourth largest island in the world after Greenland, New Guinea and Borneo.
A sea captain Diogo Dias was the first European to see the island. The French invaded the country in 1883. In 1896, the Merina Kingdom was toppled and Madagascar became a French colony. French then made it its overseas territory in 1946. France defeated the Malagasy rebels who fought for independence in 1947. It gained independence in 1960 with Philibert Tsiranana as the president. In 1975, Didier Ratsiraka took control of the country. He ruled as a dictator until 1991 when he was overthrown due to economic collapse. He later regained his presidency but lost again to Marc Ravalomanana in 2001 in an election and fled to France. Andry Rajoelina won the presidential elections in 2018.
Coquerel’s sifaka, a type of lemur found in Madagascar
As of 2019, it had a population of 26.969 million.
The country’s official languages are Malagasy and French.
Majority of its citizens have indigenous beliefs and worship a being that they believe to be supremely called Andriamanitra. They sacrifice zebus and view their ancestors as the link between the living and the dead. However, there is a small minority in the country that are Christians.
The education system comprises of five years of primary schooling for children from six to eleven years, four years of junior secondary for students from twelve to fifteen years and three years of senior secondary for students from sixteen to eighteen years.
The major sports in the country include athletics, football, boxing, judo and tennis.
The main export is rice. Other food crops grown are maize, sweet potatoes, groundnuts, oranges, vanilla and cassava.
The national dish Romazawa which consists of beef, chicken or pork served with rice.
Madagascar is at the southwest of Indian Ocean and is detached from African by the 250 miles Mozambique Channel from the African coast.
History
Madagascar was settled by Austronesian and Bantu peoples and later united as the Merina Kingdom. France colonised the island in 1896, and it became independent in 1960.
Food & culture
Rice is eaten at almost every meal, with laoka side dishes such as romazava (beef and greens stew).
Wildlife
Around 90% of Madagascar's wildlife is found nowhere else, including more than 100 species of lemur, chameleons and the fossa.
Festivals & events
Famadihana, the turning of the bones ceremony, honours ancestors in the highlands, and Independence Day is 26 June.
Things to see
The Avenue of the Baobabs, Tsingy de Bemaraha, Andasibe-Mantadia's indri lemurs, Isalo National Park and Nosy Be.
Interesting facts
Madagascar is the fourth-largest island in the world. It split from the Indian subcontinent around 88 million years ago.
Neighbours
Madagascar has no land borders with other countries.
