Madagascar is the 4th largest island in the world after Greenland, New Guinea and Borneo. Its area is 592,000 square kilometers, slightly larger than France and the Benelux countries combined. Its length, Cape Amber in the North and Cape St. Mary in the south, is 1580 km. Its greatest width, found between Mahavelona and Tambohorano is 580 Km.
The Continent-Island has almost 5,500 km of coastline. Its western edge is one of the shores of the Mozambique Channel, which is 400 km wide. In the East, the Indian Ocean flows on the beaches of Madagascar. The long haul flight Paris-Antananarivo is about 10 000 km, or 11 flight hours. For regional services, Mauritius is at 1:40 and Reunion at 1:20. Madagascar has an offset of + 1h ahead only during the summer schedule practiced in France, and + 2h at time of winter. Little malagasy islets surround the Big Island: the two main of them are inhabited and tourist vocation: Nosy Boraha known as Sainte-Marie (200 km²) and Nosy-Be (320 km²). Madagascar surrounded by other islands and archipelagos: Mauritius and Réunion to the east, Comoros northwest and Seychelles north. The culmination of Madagascar is Tsaratanà na Mountain that reaches 2880 m altitude. The tops of the Highlands and very pronounced reliefs by erosions divide the island into two different worlds: the West, the large sedimentary basins and vast limestone or sandstone plateaux; to the east, overhanging cliffs a coastline covered tropical forests. The average altitude in Madagascar is about 1600m.
The main cities in Madagascar are Antananarivo (Capital), Antsirabe, Fianarantsoa the central highlands; Toamasina, Moramanga, St. Mary in the East; Majunga, Morondava in the west; Antsiranana, Nosy Be in the north, the south, Tulear, Madagascar Fort-Dauphin. There are about 21.000.000 populations. The average population density is 22.8 inhabitants per km². The geographical distribution is very unbalanced since 80% of the population live in rural areas and 20% in cities. Madagascar is a young country marked by a high birth rate. 60% of the population is under 20 years.
Multiple origins, the Malagasy population is composed of eighteen tribes mostly from the ancient kingdoms. The peoples of the highlands have in Indonesian and Malay dominant traits, other peoples are marked by the African heritage and Arabic. Despite some ethnic similarities, each tribe has its own tradition and group identity. Traditional leaders still have prestige, or power.
Multiple origins, the Malagasy population is composed of eighteen tribes mostly from the ancient kingdoms. The peoples of the highlands have in Indonesian and Malay dominant traits, other peoples are marked by the African heritage and Arabic. Despite some ethnic similarities, each tribe has its own tradition and group identity. Traditional leaders still have prestige, or power.
Malagasy community of Afro-Asian origin represents 98% of the population. Comorian integrate and based among the Malagasy. The European community is large and French majority. It is formed by several zanatany (native), businessmen and investors, technical assistants. The Chinese community of Cantonese origin settled in cities and on the East Coast. It engages in the retail trade. The Indian community of Pakistani origin is formed from great grandchildren of immigrants in the late nineteenth century. They are traders or industriels. The official language of Madagascar is the Malagasy (Madagascar). It is the same family as the Indonesian and Malay. French is a second language widely practiced, especially in professional circles, administrative and media. It is also the unofficial language of communication and culture. Number of Malagasy naturally caters to any vazaha (white man) in French.
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