Madagascar, Island nation in Eastern Africa.
Description
Madagascar is an island nation off the southeastern coast of Africa with rainforests along the eastern shore, a central highland plateau, and arid zones in the southwest. The territory covers several climate zones with mountain ranges of volcanic origin and a coastline stretching more than 3000 miles.
History
Indonesian seafarers arrived on the island around 350 BCE, followed by East African migrants who settled along the coasts. The Merina Kingdom formed in 1540 and expanded across much of the territory until French colonial rule began in 1896 and ended with independence in 1960.
Culture
Malagasy communities celebrate Famadihana, a ceremony where families rewrap ancestral remains in fresh silk shrouds while sharing food and music. This ritual connects living relatives to their forebears and usually takes place between June and September in the highland regions.
Practical
The dry season from May through October provides favorable conditions for visiting parks and observing wildlife across all regions. International flights land at Ivato Airport near Antananarivo, visas are issued on arrival, and malaria prevention is advised for coastal areas.
Did you know?
Around ninety percent of plant and animal species exist nowhere else on Earth, including more than one hundred lemur species. Six different baobab species grow exclusively here, while only one additional species occurs on the African continent.
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Madagascar features natural landscapes ranging from the baobab avenues near Morondava to the limestone formations of the Tsingy and coastal areas with coral reefs. The country's national parks protect tropical rainforests inhabited by lemurs, along with geological features including crater lakes and...
Avenue of the Baobabs
258.4 km
Rova of Antananarivo
114.8 km
Tsingy de Bemaraha Strict Nature Reserve
180.6 km
Ambohimanga
118.4 km
Isalo National Park
408 km
Ranomafana National Park
276.3 km
Maromokotro
608.7 km
Marojejy National Park
604.5 km
Masoala National Park
539.5 km
Iavoloha Palace
114.8 km
Mahamasina Municipal Stadium
114.2 km
Rainforests of the Atsinanana
606.5 km
Ambohitsorohitra Palace
114 km
Andringitra National Park
370.8 km
Amber Mountain National Park
762.2 km
Zahamena National Park
287.1 km
Andohahela National Park
648.2 km
Peyrieras Reptile Reserve
142.1 km
Andafiavaratra Palace
114.9 km
Lemurs' Park
96.5 km
Red Tsingy
772.4 km
Aloalo
510.8 km
Kirindy Forest
229.1 km
Kirindy Mitea National Park
319.4 km
Lokobe Reserve
647 km
Ankaratra
96.7 km
Berenty Reserve
677.4 km
Botanical and Zoological Garden of Tsimbazaza
114.2 km
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