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Location
Madagascar lies some 250 miles (400 km) off the east coast of Africa,
south of the equator.It is separated from Africa by the Mozambique Channel
and is crossed by the tropic of capricorn near the southern region.
Size
The world's fourth largest island after Greenland, New Guinea and Borneo.Madagascar
is about 1000 miles (1,580 km) long by 350 miles (570 km) at its width
point. Madagascar has an area of 227.760 square miles (590 000 km²).
Topography
A chain of mountains runs like a spine down the east-centre of the island
descending sharply to the Indian ocean, leaving only a narrow coastal
plain.These eastern mountain slopes bear the remains of the dense rainforest
which once covered all of the eastern section of the Island. The western
plains is wider and the climate drier, supporting forests of deciduous
trees and acres of savannah grassland.Madagascar's highest mountain is
Maromokotra (9,450 ft, 2886 m), part of the massif of Tsaratanàna, in
the north of the island. In the south is the spiny forest also known as
the spiny desert.
Climate
A tropical climate with rain falling in the hottest season coinciding
with the northern hemisprere winter.The amount of rainfall varies greatly
by region; the wettest area in the east averages 140 inch (355 cm) annually;
in the dry zone (south and west) the annual average is 12 inch (30 cm).
It is hot and humid in low-lying areas. Temperatures can drop to freezing
in the regions of the high plateau 4,100 ft (1,250 m). The winter in Madagascar
is June, July and till August 15th.
Fauna and flora
A naturalist's paradise, most of the island's plants and animals are
unique to Madagascar and new species and even generations are being found
by each scientific team that goes out here. Of the native plants 80% are
endemic. All of the mammals are endemic, excluding those introduced by
man; and half of birds and well over 90% of the reptiles are found
Population
The people of Madagascar, the Malagasy, are of Afro-Indonesian origin,
officially divided into 18 main tribes or clans.Other races include Indian,
pakistan, chinese and European. The population is over 15 million.Malagasy
people are kind, they like foreigners and respect them a lot.
Religion
Christianity is the dominant origine religion, with the Catholic and
protestant (Lms, Lutheran church) slightly stronger than other denominations.
Very few Islamic are practised, but to the majority of people Malagasy
have their own unique form of ancestor worshiping is an important influence
in their lives.
Language
The first language is Malagasy, which belongs to the Malayo-polynesian
family of languages.French is widely spoken in towns, and it is the language
of Education and business.English becomes popular in some places and in
major tourist areas.
Time
Greenwich Meantime plus three hours.
Health
Many people talked about different diseases such as malaria, bird flu and yellow fever. But in fact Madagascar is not the same case as many other countries in Africa.
Maybe a few tourists are getting sick because of the different climate but these are not serious problems in Madagascar.
Even that it is important to drink clean water.
And il you go to the northwest, cream against mosquitose is useful.
Weather
From May to December is the best season to visit Madagascar. Especially July to October for whales also for flowers.
However, the rest of the season is passable. During the rain season January to April, many places are not accessible. Classic tours are only adapted.
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