Madagascar
If you have been planning to go to Madagascar, the first thing you should know is that it is like nowhere else on earth. Most of the reasons why are due to its sheer isolation. Madagascar drifted apart from the African continent around 165 million years ago, meaning that its plant and animal life and finely tuned ecosystem have evolved away from external influences – in other words not much at all.
Mother Nature had a field day on Madagascar. Nearly all its species of reptiles and amphibians are unique, as are its flora and fauna. Madagascar is home to strange sounding (and often stranger looking) creatures like the aye-aye and indri – the largest living lemur who’s loud, piercing cries dominate the jungles cacophony.
As you probably know (at least if you have seen the Disney incarnation) Madagascar is famous for lemurs – in fact it’s the only place you’ll see these outrageously cute, wide –eyed primates outside a zoo. There are dozens of species, ranging from the mouse-sized dwarf lemur to the agile sifaka, the long-leaping lemur and the aforementioned indri. Then there are chameleons, geckoes, turtles and tortoises.
The skies are filled with exotic birds such as vangas and crested couas whilst the rice paddies that blanket the island are magnets for flamingos, ibises and herons. In short, Madagascar is a once in a lifetime destination – where natural beauty, an unparalleled array of wildlife and fascinating history converge – a sum that will make the even the most world-weary traveler weep with joy.
LAND – Madagascar has a total area of 587,040 square kilometers (226,660 square miles) with 581,540 square kilometers (224,530 square miles) of land and 5,500 square kilometers (2,100 square miles) of water.
CLIMATE – The climate is tropical along the coast, temperate inland, and arid in the south. The weather is dominated by the southeastern trade winds that originate in the Indian Ocean anticyclone, a center of high atmospheric pressure that seasonally changes its position over the ocean. Madagascar has two seasons: a warm, wet season from November to April; and a cooler, dry season from May to October.
TOPOGRAPHY – Madagascar consists mainly of a block of crystalline rocks. It is generally described as a plateau, rising sharply from the narrow plain of the east coast and descending in a series of steps to the strip of sedimentary rocks along the west coast. The high plateau is much indented and, on the eastern edge, cut by deep gorges and waterfalls. There are numerous volcanic outcrops that produce heights over 1,800 m (6,000 ft.); the highest point is Mount Maromokotro (2,876 m/9,436 ft.) in the Tsaratanana Massif. The eastern coast is almost straight and has very few anchorages the Island’s major rivers flow westward and are navigable for about 160 km (100 mi) inland.
PEOPLE –In 2016, the population of Madagascar was estimated at 25 million, up from 2.2 million in 1900. The annual population growth rate in Madagascar was approximately 2.9 percent in 2009. Approximately 42.5 percent of the population is younger than 15 years of age, while 54.5 percent are between the ages of 15 and 64. Those aged 65 and older form three percent of the total population. Only two general censuses, in 1975 and 1993, have been carried out after independence. The current population of Madagascar is 26,219,970 as of June 2018, based on the latest United Nations estimates.
ECONOMY – The economy of Madagascar is a market economy and is supported by Madagascar’s well-established agricultural industry and emerging tourism, textile and mining industries. Malagasy agriculture produces tropical staple crops such as rice and cassava, as well as cash crops such as vanilla and coffee. Madagascar’s wealth of natural resources supports its sizable mining industry. Agriculture, including fishing and forestry, is Madagascar’s largest industry and employs 82% of its labor force.
LANGUAGE – The official languages of Madagascar are Malagasy and French. Madagascar is a Francophone country, and French is spoken among the educated population of this former French colony. Including second-language speakers, there are more speakers of Malagasy than French in Madagascar.
ELECTRICITY SUPPLY – The standard voltage is 127 / 220 V and the standard frequency is 50 Hz. In Madagascar the power sockets are of type C, D, E, J and K.
TIME – Madagascar Time Zone – is abbreviated as EAT (East Africa Time) GMT/UTC + 3h Standard Time.
CURRENCY – The Malagasy Ariary is the currency of Madagascar. Currency rankings show that the most popular Madagascar Ariary exchange rate is the MGA to EUR rate. The currency code for Ariary is MGA, and the currency symbol is Ar.
BANKING HOURS – Banking hours are usually 8.00a.m. – 16.40 p.m. Monday to Friday.
COURIER & MONEY TRANSFERS – Money transfer can be made through MoneyGram or Western Union. For courier service TNT and AGS offices are within the city.
COMMUNICATION – Telephones – main lines in use, telephones – mobile cellular, Radio broadcast stations and Internet Service Providers.
WORKING HOURS – The typical hours of business are from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., with a lunch break between noon and 1 p.m.
PUBLIC HOLIDAYS –
January 1 New Year’s Day
April 17 Easter Monday
May 1 Labor Day
May 25 Ascension Day
June 26 Independence Day
December 25 Christmas Day
HEALTH REQUIREMENTS – Vaccination against yellow fever is compulsory. Vaccination against Hepatitis A is also recommended. There is a risk of catching malaria in Madagascar. It is highly recommended to ask your doctor’s advice about anti-Malaria drugs before leaving your country.
CUSTOMS – When it comes to manners it is forbidden to take pictures of military and police objects as well as the police officers.
IVATO INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT – is the main international airport serving Antananarivo, the capital of Madagascar, located 16 km northwest of the city center.
SECURITY – The security at the airport is always very tight, and all travelers must provide their passport and air tickets.