Madagascar

Madagascar, officially the Republic of Madagascar, is an island country in the Indian Ocean, off the coast of East Africa. The nation comprises the island of Madagascar (the fourth-largest island in the world), as well as numerous smaller peripheral islands. Following the prehistoric breakup of the supercontinent Gondwana, Madagascar split from India around 88 million years ago, allowing native plants and animals to evolve in relative isolation. Consequently, Madagascar is a biodiversity hotspot; over 90% of its wildlife is found nowhere else on Earth. The island's diverse ecosystem spans tropical rainforests, spiny forests, deserts and highlands. The terrain includes several mountain ranges, most notably the Tsaratanana Massif, which reaches a height of 2,876 metres (9,436 ft). Madagascar is a republic governed by an elected president and a unicameral legislature. Its capital and largest city is Antananarivo. In the 19th century, the island was a French colony. Madagascar became independent in 1960 and has since undergone periods of political instability, as well as periods of democracy and economic growth. Since the early 2000s, Madagascar has experienced significant development. Madagascar is a member of the United Nations, the African Union, and the Southern African Development Community (SADC). Madagascar has a economy based on agriculture, fishing and tourism. The country's major export commodities include vanilla, cloves, cocoa, coffee, and shrimp. Tourism is an increasingly important sector, with 1.4 million visitors in 2019. Madagascar is renowned for its unique flora and fauna, which is found nowhere else on Earth. Over 90% of its wildlife is endemic, meaning it is found nowhere else. This includes lemurs, which are found only in Madagascar, and baobabs, which are also found in other parts of Africa and Australia. Madagascar is home to 5% of the world's plant and animal species, including many that are endangered or critically endangered. The island is also home to two-thirds of the world's chameleons and half of the world's 10,000 or so baobab trees. The island of Madagascar is located in the Indian Ocean, off the coast of East Africa. The country is made up of the island of Madagascar, as well as numerous smaller peripheral islands. Madagascar is the fourth-largest island in the world. The island of Madagascar is home to a diverse range of plant and animal species, many of which are found nowhere else on Earth. The island's unique ecosystem includes tropical rainforests, spiny forests, deserts and highlands. Madagascar is a republic governed by an elected president and a unicameral legislature. Its capital and largest city is Antananarivo. Madagascar became independent from France in 1960 and has since undergone periods of political instability, as well as periods of democracy and economic growth. The economy of Madagascar is based on agriculture, fishing and tourism. The country's major export commodities include vanilla, cloves, cocoa, coffee, and shrimp. Madagascar is a member of the United Nations, the African Union, and the Southern African Development Community (SADC).