Facts about Madagascar

Madagascar Flag

Coat of Arms

Basic Facts Madagascar – Time zone, Location, Neighbours, government, Weather in Madagascar, National Flag, Commercial banks in Madagascar, Capital, Tourist Attractions, Languages and Religions; Madagascar National Parks.
Location: Madagascar is an island nation located in Southern Africa. It lies off the south eastern coast of Africa in the Indian Ocean east of Mozambique.
Size: 587,041 sq km (Land: 581,540 sq km / water: 5,501 sq km)
Capital City: Antananarivo
Government: Constitutional republic headed by a democratically elected President. Current Head of State is H.E. President Andry Rajoelina since 18 March 2009.
Independence: 26 June, 1960
National Colours: Red and Green
Population: 21,281,844 residents
Languages: English, French and Malagasy – all are official languages
Economy: Madagascar’s economy is agricultural based. Major products are sugarcane, cloves, cocoa, rice, cassava, beans, bananas, peanuts and livestock. Other natural resources are graphite, chromite, coal, bauxite, salt, quartz, tar sands, semiprecious stones, mica, fish and hydropower.
Madagascar National Parks: Masoala National Park, Zahamena National Park, Amber Mountain National Park, Namoroka National Park, Andohahela National Park, Mantadia National Park, Andringitra National Park, Baie de Baly National Park, Bemaraha National Park, Kirindy Mitea National Park, Ankarafantsika National Park, Midongy du sud National Park, Ranomafana National Park, Tsimanampetsotse National Park, Zombitse-Vohibasia National Park, Isalo National Park
Banking: Banks in Madagascar include Bank of Africa, Banque Industrielle et Commerciale de Madagascar, Banque Malgache de L’ocean Indien, BGFI Bank Madagascar, Bank Negara Indonesia, Mauritius Commercial Bank, Access Bank Madagascar, Madagascar Microfinance Bank, BFV-Société Générale and State Bank of Mysore
Tourist Attractions: Ambohimanga, Ankarafantsika nature reserve, Nossi Bé holiday resort, Toamasina, The Central Highlands, Tsimbazaza Zoological and Botanical Garden
Currency: Malagasy ariary
Time Zone: Madagascar is 3 hours ahead of Greenwich Mean Time (GMT)
Dialing code: +261