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Facts in Brief
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Madagascar
is an island to the east of the southern part of Africa.
It is the world's fourth largest island, with 4,828 km of coastline.
The capital city is Antananarivo.
The island has a narrow coastal plain getting higher as it gets inland, and there are mountains in the centre.
The highest mountain is Maromokotro at 2,876m.
The small map shows Africa, and the arrow shows where Madagascar is located.
Madagascar was part of the African continent but broke off and drifted to where it is now about two million years ago. This means that the plants and animals of Madagascar are unique, and different from those of Africa. More than three quarters of the plants and animals are found nowhere else, including huge tree ferns and palm trees, amazing desert plants, and animals such as the lemur.
Madagascar was governed by France from 1895, but became a republic in 1958, calling itself the Malagasy Republic. It remained under French guidance until 1960, when it became a fully independent country. In 1975, the country re-named itself the Democratic Republic of Madagascar. In 1993 it became the Republic of Madagascar.
The people elect their government and a President. Citizens 18 years and over can vote.
Currency: Malagasy franc
Population: 15.5 million
Natural resources found on the island include
graphite, chromite, coal, bauxite, salt, quartz, tar sands, 
semiprecious stones, fish,
hydropower. Industries include meat processing, soap, breweries,
tanneries, sugar, textiles, glassware, cement, car assembly plant,
paper, petroleum.
Semi precious stones
The Land: About 5% of the land
is farmed with crops or pasture. The main products are coffee,
vanilla, sugarcane, cloves, cocoa, rice, cassava (tapioca), beans,
bananas, 
peanuts, and livestock
products. Almost half the island is covered in forests. Much of
these forests are being cut down, and as a result soil erosion
is becoming a major environmental problem. Too many animals being
grazed on limited land is also a problem. Several kinds of the
island's plants and animals are endangered.
Ripe coffee 'cherries'
ready for picking. The red pulp is removed and the coffee bean
inside is removed and roasted.
Madagascar is not a wealthy country. Its people face problems
of malnutrition and poor health and education facilities. The
demand for products such as coffee has fallen. The government
is attempting to improve the economy of the country. Tourism is
a growing industry, and contributes to the local economy.
The flag of Madagascar
Acknowledge
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Madagascar
(2004).
[Online], Available: www.kidcyber.com.au
Maps courtesy
of www.theodora.com/maps used with permission.
Updated January 2004