Madagascar Culture, Geography and History

Geography and Environment of Madagascar

  • Baobab trees

This iconic island nation sitting off the coast of East Africa in the Indian Ocean is home to one of the most precious and unique natural environments in the world. Its isolated location means that a distinct variety of animal and plant species have been able to thrive without outside genetic influences. Possessing extinct volcanoes, hidden waterfalls, cool highlands, grassy plains, pristine beaches and islands, Madagascar was once completely covered in forest - but due to high levels of deforestation, most forest cover has been lost. Some tracts of rainforest do endure today, but it's estimated that the current level of forest cover is only 1-2 percent of what it once was. Despite this loss, hundreds of species of plants and trees thrive all over the island, from huge, ancient baobab trees to thorny cacti and resplendent ferns.


History and Government of Madagascar


Other Resources

Recommended Reading

  • The Eighth Continent - Peter Tyson
  • Lords and Lemurs - Alison Jolly
  • Antipode - Heather E. Heying
  • Flashman's Lady - George MacDonald Fraser
  • The Sapphire Sea - John B. Robinson