Madagascar, the big island of the Indian Ocean

Have you heard about this big island in the Indian Ocean and want to know more about it ?

This will help you to discover more about it.

Identity

Name : Madagascar or Republic of Madagascar

Independence day : 26 June

Capitale : Antananarivo

Languages : Malagasy, French is widely spoken at the offices and on official letters, English is limited in tourism or international communication

Local money : Ariary

Situation : located in the south hemisphere, the Tropic of Capricorne passes through Madagascar in the South ; the Indian Ocean in the East and the Mozambic channel in the west. 400km off of the African continent .

Longitude : 18.7669 degre South and 46.8691 degre East

Continent : Africa

Region : Indian Ocean

Time zone : GMT +3

Size : 95 k587 2m² ( the 4th biggets island in the world)

Coastal length : 5000km

Altitude : High 2876m (Maromokotra)

Main cities : Antananarivo ( the capitale) , Fianaranatsoa, Toamasina, Toliara, Antsiranana, Mahajanga

Number of region : 23

Connected Islands : Nosy be and Nosy Boraha ( Sainte Marie)

Population number : around 28 852 376 ( february 2022)

Climate : tropical climate with 2 seasons :

  • Hot and Humide Summer from 15 October to 15 April
  • Winter fresh and dry from 15 April to 15 October

2 short interseasons separated the 2 seasons of one month each ;

Tourism Season :

  • High Season : July to December
  • Low Season : January to March
  • Inter season : April to June

Biodiversity :

  • Fauna : 80 to 90% endemism
  • Flora : more than 250000 species , 70% endemism
  • Protected Area : 43 run by Madagascar National Parks

Transport and Access

International Airports : Ivato – Antananarivo , Nosy be – Fascene

Main airline companies :

International flights : Air Madagascar, Air France

Domestic Flights : Tsaradia

Other airline companies : Air Mauritius , Air Austral, Air Seychelles, Kenya Airways, Turkish Airlines, South African Airlink , Ewa

Land Transport :

  • National : Taxi-brousse
  • In town : Taxi – be - Taxis – pousse pousse – tuk tuk mainly in the coastal town

Trains : mainly for goods

  • FCE - Fianaranatsoa Cote Est
  • Trans Lemurie with Mada rail
  • Micheline with Madarail

Communication

International dial : + 261

Main mobile operators : Telma, Airtel, Orange

Let us guide you to well prepare your trip to Madagascar !