26 Facts About Madagascar

The Island of Madagascar is located off the Eastern Coast of Africa. Situated within the Indian Ocean, Madagascar is located 250 miles (400 km) off the East coast of mainland Africa

Madagascar split from India 88 million years ago following its initial separation from Gondwana the super-continent (which included Africa, South America, Antarctica, and Australia) approximately 165 million years ago. That separation has resulted in fauna and flora found nowhere else on the planet.

If you want to see lemurs in the wild, the country’s flagship species, the only place you can see them is in Madagascar. It’s also home to species that you probably haven’t heard of. Like the Fossa, a cat-like mammal that’s closely related to the mongoose.

The only animals in the Madagascar Movie that Actually Live in Madagascar are the Lemurs and Fossa.

Giraffes also appeared in the Madagascar movies but there aren’t any 5-meter (17 feet) tall giraffes roaming around. Instead, there are charming 2.5 cm long insects called giraffe weevils that live in the Malagasy rain-forests.

In the Madagascar Movies, It Should have Been Queen Juliana, Not King Julian. The ladies lead in lemur land!

Giant lemurs, as big as gorillas roamed the island as recently as 560 years ago. Unfortunately, they went extinct, likely due to the presence of humans. Of the 25 most endangered primates on earth, 6 of them are found in Madagascar. 

Madagascar is the World’s 4th Biggest Island. It measures in at a whopping 581,540 sq km (224,533 square miles) making it bigger than France.

The people of Madagascar are as unique as the distinct biodiversity surrounding them. There are 18 recognized Malagasy ethnic groups/tribes with their varying traditions and beliefs, so the cultures change as you move around the country.

It was under French rule from 1897 to 1958. As such, French is still one of the official languages and spoken by the educated population. The other official language is Malagasy, the local language.

The French make up 60% of travelers to Madagascar. Next up are Germans, Americans, followed by travelers from the United Kingdom.

Queen Ranavalona III, was the last sovereign of the Kingdom of Madagascar. She ruled until 1897 before being overthrown by the French colonial forces. While she put up a  brave fight against the French, she was also known for her brutality towards  Christians, neighboring kingdoms, and political rivals.

There are more than 12,000 species of exceedingly diverse plants growing in Madagascar and with little access to medical care, the Malagasy people use plants for medicinal treatment. However, beyond traditional herbal remedies, species such as the Madagascar periwinkle, are harvested to produce drugs used to treat Hodgkin’s disease, Leukemia, and other cancers.

Madagascar has 3 UNESCO World Heritage Sites.

Unlike much of mainland Africa, teeming with hungry predators and unpredictably aggressive buffalo or elephants, it is safe to walk around in Madagascar. Barely outweighing a typical house cat, the 9 kg (18 lbs) fossa is the largest mammalian predator.

There are no deadly snakes or spiders – some possess poison or venom. Even the scorpions in Madagascar aren’t lethal.

When there aren’t bridges, the Malagasy have improvised with large floating rafts with an attached engine.

Madagascar is home to more than two-thirds of the world’s Vanilla Fields.

Madagascar is sometimes referred to as the “Great Red Island” because of its iron and aluminum rich soils that produce brilliant red colors.

Madagascar consists of 5 main geographical regions: Central Highlands, the Massif in the north, the east coast, west coast, and the southwest. 

Sixteen rivers run throughout the landscape, ranging from 100 to 350 miles in length.

However, there are few lakes – the largest lake is LacAlaotra which is surrounded by ecologically critical marshlands that are facing severe pressures due to human activity.

Madagascar’s many isolated coves and the absence for hundreds of years of those pesky European powers made it a safe haven for pirates. It’s rumored that Captain James Misson,  founded the anarchist colony Libertatia there in the late 17th century.

Over half the World’s Chameleons can be found in Madagascar. 150 species of chameleons, more than half of them can be found in Madagascar.

The Malagasy flag is equal parts red, green, and white. Some historians claim red represents sovereignty, green represents hope, and white represents purity.

Madagascar is also one of the 12 Poorest Countries in the World.