Madagascar

Madagascar, the largest island in the Indian Ocean, situated between latitude 12°and 30° South and between longitude 45° and 51° East, is surrounded in the north by the Comoros islands and Mayotte, in the east by the Reunion and Mauritius and in the west by South Africa across the Mozambique Channel.

It covers an area of 587 041 sq. Km, (1580 km long and 580 km wide). It compares in area to about the size of France and Benelux together. Madagascar with Nosy Be in the north (325 sq. km), Sainte Marie in the east (200 sq. km) is the world's fourth largest island after Greenland, New Guinea and Borneo.

Madagascar's highest mountain, Mt. Maromokotra, located in the massif of Tsaratanana, towers an impressive 9450 feet (2876 m) over the island's northernmost regions.

There are 06 provinces, divided into 22 regions which all have each prefectures, sub-prefectures, communes and districts.

The population of Madagascar referred to as MALAGASY, of whom the majority are Christian, is estimated to be 20 million. About 3 million people live in Antananarivo or Tana, the capital city. In spite of the number of the ethnic groups in Madagascar which are in general 18 a national language of Malayo-Indonesian origin was formed. French is practically used all over the island.

Madagascar is still far from the tourist crowd. However, this sector has known a veritable boom. It is not wrong to think that tourism may be one of the key factors for poverty reduction. What’s more, tourist activities generate income for the local population especially in the extremely remote regions. Madagascar disposes unequalled fauna and flora, tropical forests, volcanic canyons, fine sandy beaches, lively culture and tradition and most importantly warm and welcoming population.