Why visit Madagascar
Madagascar, commonly called “The Big Island”, is the fourth largest island in the world. Madagascar is 1590 km in length and 600 km in width. It covers an area of 578.000 km², more than the size of France.
Madagascar is an island of immense natural beauty and with an exceptional biodiversity.
Situated in the Indian Ocean, 400 km southeast of Africa, the island of Madagascar was created when it separated from Africa approximately 160 million years ago and from India 80 to 100 million years ago.
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Thanks to the geographic isolation of Madagascar and its diversified regions, Malagasy flora and fauna has become unique, preserving over 200,000 species of plants and animals only found in Madagascar and nowhere else on earth.
They include the famous lemurs (an infraorder of primates), the carnivorous fossa, many bird families and several baobab species.
Madagascar fauna differs from that of nearby Africa because of its very high rate of endemism and the absence of big cats.
Madagascar is considered a must-see by all birdwatchers and butterfly specialists.
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© Office du tourisme de Madagascar
Madagascar has also one of the richest collections of flora in the world, including many species of orchids, such as the white-flowered Angraecum Sesquipedal, the rarest of all orchids.
Madagascar has 18 national parks scattered across the country. In 2007, six of them were recognized as a world heritage site under the term “Rainforests of the Atsinanana”, whereas the Tsingy de Bemaraha Strict Nature Reserve has been already listed by UNESCO since 1990.
The Tsingy de Bemaraha Reserve comprises karstic landscapes and limestone uplands cut into impressive 'tsingy' peaks (a 'forest' of limestone needles), the spectacular canyon of the Manambolo river as well as unspoiled forests and mangroves.
The Rainforests of the Atsinanana are six national parks distributed along the eastern part of the island (Marojejy, Masoala, Ranomafana, Zahamena, Andohahela and Andringitra National Parks) and have an exceptional proportion - 80 to 90 percent for all groups - of endemic plant and animal species.
Madagascar is also a country with a rich history. The powerful Merina Dynasty unified the country in the early 1800’s. King Andrianampoinimerina (1745 -1810) who started the unification is considered as one of the greatest political and military leaders. The Capital of his Kingdom, Ambohimanga, is situated about 20 km north of Antananarivo, on the most famous of the sacred hills of the area.
Whereas the subsequent Merina Monarchs moved the capital to Antananarivo, the Royal Hill of Ambohimanga has remained associated with a strong feeling of national identity and has maintained its spiritual and sacred character in both ritual practice and the popular imagination for the past 500 years. Since 2001, Ambohimanga has been recognized as world heritage site by UNESCO.
The Malagasy population is strongly attached to his customs and practices. Ancestors play a major role in daily life.
Now, the island is home to about 18.000.000 inhabitants – half of them are under the age of twenty - composed of 18 different ethnic groups who live together in harmony.
Malagasy traditions and festivals as well as local food are of great interest to travellers.
With a 5000 km shoreline, Madagascar offers sea and sun holiday opportunities for everyone. Numerous bays and beaches are inviting you to "farniente" or to practice of activities such as fishing, diving, sailing, surf and windsurf. Famous beach resorts include Nosy Boraha (île Sainte Marie) and Nosy Be.
Whitewater rafting possibilities are rather unlimited provided that they are monitored by professionals since some rivers may be dangerous.
Each region of Madagascar has its own attractions.
Here we point out just a few of them: whale watching in the Nosy Boraha and Bay of Antongil areas from June to September, cruising Canal des Pangalanes (a series of man made and natural lakes linked by rivers running down the east coast of Madagascar for about 300 miles - used mainly for transport, fishing or visiting unspoiled beaches),and canoeing down the Tsiribihina River (western Madagascar) in a traditional wooden boat.