Madagascar > General information > Tourist information > Population and lifestyle

Population  The island is home to about 18.000.000 inhabitants - half of them are less than 20 - composed of 18 ethnic groups. French and other Europeans, Chinese, Comorians, and Indo-Pakistanis are the main foreign communities. Those people live in harmony together. People of French origin who have lived in Madagascar for several generations are called Zanatany.    Antananarivo and surroundings has a population of about 2 million inhabitants. Taboos and Prohibitions  The Malagasy population is known for being pacifist and tolerant. They are strongly  attached to their customs and practices, namely in villages and rural communities.  Therefore, be respectful of traditions, and in particular of elderly people and respect  local taboos and prohibitions scrupulously.     For example, there are communities who do not like their children’s heads to be caressed.     Before taking photographs of a person or a group of people, please ask for their permission first.    Lastly, nudism is not allowed on beaches.    Links • the human scene in madagascar : people, children, tombs, transplanting rice and more • traditions in madagascar: famadihana (returning deads), fitampoha (bath of royal relics), tsanga-tsaina (royal mast), alahamady bé (royal bath ), and sambatra (circumcision). Links in other languages                (7) (2) (3) Same category in a different destination Comoros Maldives Mauritius Mayotte Nepal Réunion Seychelles Sri Lanka Zanzibar