madagascar

Madagascar, officially the Republic of Madagascar, is an island nation in the Indian Ocean off the southeastern coast of Africa. It covers about 587,000 square kilometers, making it the fourth-largest island country in the world. The capital and largest city is Antananarivo. The population is around 29 million. The official languages are Malagasy and French. It has a semi-presidential representative democratic republic, with a president as head of state and a prime minister as head of government. Parliament is bicameral, consisting of the National Assembly and the Senate. The currency is the ariary (MGA). The country lies in the UTC+3 time zone.

Geography and biodiversity: Madagascar features a range of environments, from rainforests and dry deciduous forests to limestone karst formations and extensive coastlines. The island is exceptionally biodiverse and highly endemic; it is known for lemurs, fossas, chameleons, and baobab trees found nowhere else. Deforestation and habitat loss threaten many species, and protected areas including national parks and reserves aim to conserve ecosystems.

History: The island was settled by Austronesian-speaking peoples with later migrations from Africa and Asia, creating a distinct Malagasy culture. It became a French colony in 1897 and gained independence in 1960. Since then Madagascar has experienced periods of political instability and reform, along with broader efforts to expand development and public services.

Economy and society: Agriculture employs a large portion of the population, with vanilla, cloves, and other crops as important exports. Madagascar also has mining, fishing, and growing tourism sectors. The population is composed of diverse ethnic groups; Malagasy is spoken nationwide, alongside French. The dominant religions are Christianity and traditional beliefs. The country faces development challenges, including poverty, infrastructure gaps, and exposure to tropical cyclones.