The Republic of Madagascar is an island nation located off the coast of Africa in the Indian Ocean, across the Mozambique Channel from the nation of Mozambique. Mozambique is the fourth largest island in the world, with only Greenland, New Guinea and Borneo larger.
President of Madagascar, Marc Ravalomanana, has secluded himself in his palace a day after pro-opposition soldiers raided his downtown office. Reportedly Ravalomanana has stated that he's ready to die with his guards. The African Union has condemned the attempted coup d'etat, lead by Andry Rajoelina.BBC News: Madagascar leader defies troops (March 17, 2009)
Fast Facts:
- Capital: Antananarivo
- Government: Republic
- Languages spoken: Malagasy, French and English
- Currency: Malagasy Ariary (MGA)
- Country code: +261
- Time zone: EAT (GMT + 3 hrs)
- Antananarivo airport code: TNR
- First inhabited at about 300 B.C.
- Population: 19,448,815 (2008 est.) CIA: CIA World Factbook: Madagascar
- Climate: Humid continental
Environment
The flora and fauna of Madagascar is some of the most unique in the world. Because of the large island's millions of years of isolation from the mainland, many of the plants and animals of Madagascar evolved in unique ways, and many plants and animals which became extinct elsewhere survived and flourished on the island. For instance, all sixty-six mammal species indigenous to the island are found nowhere else on Earth.
Brief History
The Portuguese traded with the island since their first voyages around the Cape of Good Hope in the 16th century, and in the 18th century France annexed the island. Madagascar finally achieved independence in 1960.
