Country Guide • Madagascar
Madagascar is an island located in the Indian Ocean, off the east coast of Africa. It is bound by the Mozambique Channel to the west and the Indian Ocean to the south, north and east.
| Official Name | Republic of Madagascar (Repoblikan'i Madagasiraka) |
|---|---|
| Area | 587,040km² (226,660mile²) |
| Population | 16,979,000 |
| Continent | Africa |
| Population per mile² | 75 |
| Capital City | Antananarivo (Tana) |
| Religions | 47% follow local native tribal beliefs, 51% Christians, which are almost equally divided into Roman Catholics and Protestants. 2% Muslim |
| Language | Malagasy and French |
| Government | Republic |
| Currency | Malagasy Franc |
| GDP | $12.6 billion |
| GDP per Head | $760 |
| Natural Resources | Graphite, chromite, coal, bauxite, salt, quartz, tar sands, semiprecious stones, mica, fish, hydropower |
| Land Use | Arable Land 4% |
| Agriculture | Coffee, vanilla, sugarcane, cloves, cocoa, rice, cassava (tapioca), beans, bananas, peanuts; livestock products |
| Industry | Agriculture, Food Processing, Forestry, Mining, Oil Refining |
| Tourism | As well as the sandy beaches and great coral to explore, inland Madagascar has some impressive National Parks, with their forests and huge array of tropical wildlife |
| Natural Hazards | Periodic cyclones and monsoons |
| Health Risks | Malaria, bilharzia, hepatitis and diarrhoea |
| Climate | Madagascar has a tropical maritime climate which is influenced by altitude, the monsoons and its proximity to the sea. In general, the highlands have a temperate climate with warm rainy weather from November to April and cooler temperatures from May to October. The average annual rainfall varies from 39 to 59 inches. The coastal region has a tropical climate with no completely dry season. The heaviest rainfall occurs on the coastal region between May and September with average annual rainfall varying from 80 to 120 inches. Average temperature ranges in Antananarivo are from 9 to 20°C in July to 16 to 27°C in December |
| Time | GMT/UTC+3 hours |
| National Days | June 26 |
| Visas | Visas are required for entry to Madagascar. They may be obtained at the airport on arrival or the Malagasy Consulate. Malagasy law requires that visitors have a return air ticket. You will be asked for evidence of this at check-in in the UK and on arrival in Madagascar |
| British Embassy | Embassy Details |
Information Only
The content above is for information purposes only and we have tried to ensure that the information is as accurate as possible. We cannot accept any responsibility for any inconvenience, loss or injury as a result of the information above. You should always check and verify any critical information like visas, health and safety and customs with the relevant authorities before you travel since information can change at any time.
