Madagascar

Madagascar is a country that is an island and is located off the coast of Africa’s southeast coast. After Greenland, New Guinea, and Borneo, the island of Madagascar is considered to be the fourth biggest island in the world.

Madagascar’s population is predominantly related not to African peoples but rather to those of Indonesia, which is located more than 3,000 miles (4,800 km) to the east of Madagascar. Madagascar is located approximately 250 miles (400 km) from the African continent. In addition, the Malagasy people do not consider themselves to be Africans. Despite this, the island of Madagascar developed political, economic, and cultural ties with the French-speaking countries of western Africa as a result of its long-standing relationship with France, which was a direct result of its former colonial status. Both the island’s animal life and vegetation are quite unusual, in that they are quite distinct from those of the neighbouring African continent and are one of a kind in many respects. Recent historical development has been more intense and concentrated in the central plateau, which contains the city of Antananarivo as its capital. Although the coastlands have been known to Europeans for more than 400 years and to Arabs for much longer, the central plateau is home to the capital city (formerly Tananarive).

Facts About Madagascar

1. Madagascar is the world’s second largest island country, behind only Indonesia.   In addition, Madagascar is the fourth largest island in the world, ranking behind Greenland, New Guinea, and Borneo respectively.

2. Madagascar is an island nation that is part of the African continent and may be found in the Indian Ocean to the east of Mozambique and Tanzania. The primary island is located approximately 400 kilometres (250 miles) off the coast of East Africa. Along the length of Madagascar’s coastline, which is around 3,100 miles long and 5,000 kilometres long, there are a number of smaller islands.

3. Madagascar is called Madagasikara or simply Mada in the Malagasy language. The explorer Marco Polo is credited with being the first person to record the existence of the island of Madagascar. The 15th century was the first time when travellers from Europe landed on the island.

4. Madagascar has an area that is approximately four times larger than Georgia in the United States of America, yet is only slightly smaller than Spain and Portugal combined. In contrast, the island has only 27 million people, making it one of the least inhabited parts of the country.

5. Antananarivo, which is often popularly referred to as Tana, is the name of the capital city of Madagascar. With a population of more than 3.6 million inhabitants, Antananarivo is the most populous city in the country.

6. The capital city of Madagascar, Antananarivo, is built on a hill at an elevation of 1,280 metres (4,199 feet) above sea level; the historic centre of the city, including the Queen’s palace, is atop Analamanga hill. The hills that encircle the capital city total twelve in number. The “lower town” is where most of the business districts are located and is encircled by huge rice fields.

7. Andrianjaka was the first king of the Imerina people. On top of Analamanga hill, he constructed the very first rova. Rova means royal fortress.

8. From the 16th to the 19th century, the island of Madagascar was ruled by a number of different Merina monarchs. Despite this, the original royal residence of the Kingdom of Imerina was for a significant amount of time situated in Ambohimanga, which is situated just outside of Antananarivo.

9. The most well-known and well-liked of all the Malagasy kings was Andrianampoinimerina, whose name literally translates to “The one who will always be in the hearts of the Merinas.” Andrianampoinimerina was the final ruler to call Ambohimanga home before it was abandoned.

10. Prior to 1860, the majority of homes in Madagascar, including the palaces, were constructed out of wood or reeds. Stone was only used to construct tombs and monuments at this time. Stone, which was considered to be a “non-living material,” was only acceptable for use in tombs. It wasn’t until a royal order was issued that stone walls could be utilised to stabilise and encase palaces, and it was only after that that brick houses could be constructed. Bricks are made by the Malagasy people nowadays out of the earth that is dug out of rice fields that are no longer in use. This is something that can occur in any location.

11. Madagascar was a colony of France from the years 1897 until 1968, and it did not achieve full independence from France until the 26th of June in 1960. On this day each year, the Malagasy people celebrate their nation’s achievement of independence.

12. The cities of Montreal in Canada, Suzhou in China, Nice in France, and Yerevan in Armenia are Antananarivo’s twin cities.

Landforms of Madagascar

Madagascar is the world’s second-largest island country and can be found in the middle of the Indian Ocean, just off the coast of East Africa. It extends across an area of 592,800 square kilometres in total.

There are three distinct longitudinal physiographic zones that can be found running parallel across the country. The coastal strip in the east, the central plateau, and the low plateaus and plains make up the western sections of the country.

The last remnants of Madagascar’s tropical rainforest can be found clinging to the island’s eastern shore, which is characterised by a precipitous and confined escarpment. Along the island’s western shore, wetlands of mangroves give way to deep bays in various locations. As one moves inward, the central highlands are characterised by rolling grassy hills that are devoid of forests and border rice-growing valleys.

Maromokotro, which stands at 2,876 metres, is the island’s highest peak and is located in the Tsaratanana Massif region in the northwestern part of the island. On the map, the location can be identified by the inverted yellow triangle that is standing upright. The Ankaratra Massif is a significant volcanic massif that can be found in the region’s centre and is denoted on the map. Its highest point is 2,643 metres above sea level.

The Mananara, Mangoro Sambirano, Mahajamba, Betsiboka, Mania, north and south Mahavavy, Mangoky, Onilahy, and the Ikopa are some of the most important rivers in Madagascar. The country also has a number of lakes, including Alaotra, Lake Kinkony, and Lake Ihotry.

The Indian Ocean is the lowest point on the island of Madagascar, and it is 0 metres deep.

History

The Malagasy people have a lineage that is partly Malayo-Indonesian and partly African-Arab. It is thought that Indonesians started migrating to the island about the year 700. The biggest kingdom on the island was ruled by King Andrianampoinimerina (1787–1810), and his son, Radama I (1810–1828), was responsible for unifying a large portion of the island. After establishing the island as a French protectorate in 1885, the French overthrew the island’s monarchy around 1894 or 1895 and sent Queen Rnavlona III into exile in Algeria. A colonial administration was established, to which the Comoro Islands and other territories would subsequently be joined. This administration was established in 1908. The British conquered Madagascar during World War II, despite the island’s continued allegiance to Vichy France.

Conclusion

Over sixty percent of Madagascar’s population is under the age of twenty-five, making it one of the youngest in the world. The culture of Madagascar places a significant emphasis on music.

Agriculture, which also includes fishing and forestry, is the most important industry in Madagascar and accounts for 82 percent of the country’s workforce. Rice, cassava, beans, and bananas are some of the tropical crops that can be grown in Madagascar due to the country’s variable temperature, which ranges from tropical around the coastlines to mild in the highlands to arid in the south. Madagascar is home to incredible biodiversity.