Located off the coast of East Africa in the Indian Ocean, Madagascar is the second-largest island country in the world. It covers an area of t 592,800 sq. kilometers.
The country can be divided into three parallel longitudinal physiographic regions. The coastal strip in the east, the central plateau, and the western regions of low plateaus and plains.
A steep, narrow escarpment runs along Madagascar's eastern coast, and the island's remaining tropical rainforest is located here. Along the west coast of the island swamps of mangroves give way to deep bays.Moving inland, the central highlands are punctuated by grassy, deforested hills bordering rice-growing valleys.
At the north end of the island, the Tsaratanana Massif region is home to Madagascar's highest point, Maromokotro at 2,876 m. The point has been marked on the map with an upright yellow triangle. In the centre, the Ankaratra Massif (marked on the map) is a major volcanic mass with the highest peak at 2,643 m.
Major rivers of Madagascar include the Mananara, Mangoro Sambirano, Mahajamba, Betsiboka, Mania, north and south Mahavavy, Mangoky, Onilahy, and the Ikopa; lakes unclude: Alaotra, Lake Kinkony and Lake Ihotry.
Madagascar's lowest point is the Indian Ocean at 0 m.
Madagascar is divided into 6 provinces (faritany). In alphabetical order these are: Antananarivo, Antsiranana, Fianarantsoa, Mahajanga, Toamasina, and Toliara. Antananarivo is the capital of the country.
Madagascar is an island country of Africa. It is located around 400 km off the coast of East Africa in the Indian Ocean with the nearest mainland African country being Mozambique. It is located in the Southern and Eastern Hemispheres of the Earth. The island country of Mauritius and Réunion (territory of France), lie to the east of Madagascar. To the northwest are the French territory of Mayotte and the island country of Comoros.
Regional Maps: Map of Africa
Legal Name | Republic of Madagascar |
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Flag |
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Capital City | Antananarivo |
18 55 S, 47 31 E | |
Total Area | 587,041.00 km2 |
Land Area | 581,540.00 km2 |
Water Area | 5,501.00 km2 |
Population | 26,969,307 |
Major Cities |
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Currency | Malagasy ariary (MGA) |
GDP | $14.08 Billion |
GDP Per Capita | $522.22 |
This page was last updated on February 24, 2021