Madagascar Travel Guide - Key Facts

Indian Ocean, east of Mozambique.

GMT + 3.

587,041 sq km (226,658 sq miles).

19.4 million (CIA estimate 2007).

33.1 per sq km.

Antananarivo (formerly Tananarive). Population: 1.5 million (2003 estimate).

Madagascar, the fourth-largest island in the world, lies in the Indian Ocean 500km (300 miles) off the coast of Mozambique. It includes several much smaller islands. A central chain of high mountains, the Hauts Plateaux, occupies more than half of the main island and is responsible for the marked differences (ethnically, climatically and scenically) between the east and west coasts. The narrow strip of lowlands on the east coast, settled from the sixth century by Polynesian seafarers, is largely covered by dense rainforests, whereas the broader west-coast landscape, once covered by dry deciduous forests, is now mostly savannah. The east coast receives the monsoon and, on both coasts, the climate is wetter towards the north. The southern tip of the island is semi-desert, with great forests of cactus-like plants. The capital, Antananarivo, is high up in the Hauts Plateaux near the island’s centre. Much of Madagascar’s flora and fauna is unique to the island. There are 3,000 endemic species of butterfly; the many endemic species of lemurs fill the niches occupied elsewhere by animals as varied as racoons, monkeys, marmots, bushbabies and sloths. There is a similar diversity of reptiles, amphibians and birds (especially ducks), and also all levels of plant life.

Republic since 1992. Gained independence from France in 1960.

President Marc Ravalomanana since 2002.

Prime Minister Charles Rabemananjara since 2007.

President Marc Ravalomanana secured a second presidential term in December 2006, beating former prime minister Norbert Lala Ratsirahonan with 54.8% of the vote. He came to power in 2002 following a bitterly fought election in which then-incumbent Didier Ratsiraka refused to accept defeat. The country came close to civil war before Ratsiraka sought exile in France and Ravalomanana took power.

For his second term, Mr Ravalomanana has set out a 'bold and aggressive' recovery programme - the Madagascar Action Plan. It aims to cut poverty levels by 50% over five years.

The official languages are Malagasy (which is related to Indonesian) and French. Local dialects are also spoken. English is not widely spoken.

52% follow animist beliefs; about 41% Christian; remainder Muslim.

Mostly 220 volts AC, 50Hz. Plugs are generally two-pin.

The Madagascans are extremely hospitable and welcoming, although their relaxed attitude to time (public forms of transport, for example, will not generally move until they are full – no matter how long it takes to fill the last seat) may be frustrating. Dress is casual, except for the very smartest hotel and restaurant functions. Visitors are advised not to wear any military-style clothing; locally it is disapproved of and could lead to detention. Entertaining is done in restaurants and bars, and a good degree of acquaintance is necessary before being invited to a family home. Gifts should be offered if staying at a local village, particularly to the village headman, although monetary contributions will be seen as an insult. Respect should be paid to the many local taboos (fady) – but as these vary from region to region this is not always easy; however, it is clear that advice should be sought before approaching tombs and graves. It remains the practice in some regions (though it is increasingly rare due to the enormous cost) to invite an ancestor to a village celebration, disinterring the body so that the ancestor may attend physically, and later re-interring the body with new shrouds; this traditional observance (known as famadihana) demonstrates the continuing hold of traditional beliefs. Visitors invited to such an occasion should consider it a great honour.

Photography: Do not photograph military or police establishments.