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 Forget the Hollywood bauble, Madagascar, otherwise known as the red island, is like no place else on earth. It is a beautiful lush and tropical island, which was once upon a time part of Africa, but broke off around 60 million years ago placing itself neatly in the Indian ocean off the southern coast of Africa and is now the fourth largest island in the world. This Island is the home of tranquil beaches, lush blue sea’s and large rich tropical rain forests boasting with unique flora and Fauna.
Madagascar is one of the most bio-diverse countries on earth, home to thousands of species of plant and animal life, majority of which cannot be found anywhere else in the world. And it is for this reason that Madagascar is regarded as the world’s number one conservation priority and one of the greenest places on earth. The people of Madagascar are just as unique and colorful as its wildlife. The population is predominantly a mix of Austronesian (i.e south-east Asian / Pacific Islander) and African origin. They speak a mixture of Malagasy, French and English and are known for they’re courteous and friendly behavior towards tourists and themselves, they’re native beliefs with regard to religion, involves the relationship between the living and the dead. As much as 52% of the total population of Madagascar follows animist beliefs while 41% follows Christianity and the remaining popular predominantly follows islam.
The whole of Madagascar is broken down into 6 autonomous provinces and 22 regions, the capital of which is Antananarivo centered in the middle of the island 145km away from the eastern coast. There has always been a struggle for control in Madagascar, After It got it’s independence from France in 1960, assassinations, military coups and disputed elections happen prominently. The current head of State has self-proclaimed himself but Madagascar is usually a semi-presidential representative democratic republic, the Prime Minister of Madagascar is head of government, and of a pluriform multi-party system.
Beaches, forests and wildlife aren’t all Madagascar has to offer, infact as much as 5% of the country is under cultivation growing a variety of coffee, vanilla, sugarcane, cloves, cocoa, rice, cassava, beans, banana’s, and peanuts, Placing Madagascar as one of the largest producers and exporters. Fishing and forestry is also a mainstay of the economy. Madagascar has swiftly grown into one of the most popular tourist destinations. It provides us with an enjoyable and loveable island getaway as it stands to offer varieties of enjoyable outdoor activities such as hiking snorkeling and diving and not to mention its lush, green beautiful forests, the golden wide spread warm beaches and the tranquil deep blue sea’s that surround it.
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