Madagascar - Country Details

Basic Information

Capital

Antananarivo

Region

Africa / Eastern Africa

Population

30,138,633

Area

587,295 km²

Currencies

Malagasy ariary (Ar)

Languages

French, Malagasy

About country

Madagascar is an island country in the Indian Ocean, renowned for its unique biodiversity. Separated from Africa for approximately 180 million years, it has fostered an extraordinary array of endemic species, with over 90% of its wildlife found nowhere else on Earth. The island's history includes settlement by Austronesian peoples followed by Bantu migrations, resulting in a culturally diverse population. Madagascar's economy relies heavily on agriculture, particularly vanilla, coffee, and cloves, but faces challenges related to poverty and political instability. Its landscape ranges from rainforests and mountains to arid plateaus and beautiful coastlines.