|
|
Generalities
Madagascar is an island in the Indian Ocean, off the eastern coast of southern Africa, east of Mozambique. It is the fourth largest island in the world. The highest point is Maromokotro, in the Tsaratanana Massif region in the north of the island, at 2,876 metres (9,436 ft). The capital, Antananarivo, is in the Hauts Plateaux near the centre of the island. It has a total area of 587,040 km² (226,657 sq mi), with 581,540 km² (224,534 sq mi) of land, and 5,500 km² (2,124 sq mi) of water.
The climate
Madagascar shows diversified climates.
- In the North and Northwest: climate of equatorial type with plentiful rains from December till April. The temperature is from 15 to 35 °C.
- In the East, from the Northeast to the Southeast: very wet equatorial climate. The coast is subject to the passage of cyclones between January and March.
- In the West: well marked dry and wet seasons; the temperature varies from 10 to 35 °C.
- In the Center: climate of Mediterranean type with alternation of a fresh dry and warm season. The annual average temperature is 20 °C.
- In the South: climate of semi-desert type, rainfall between 200 to 400mm
The relief
- The relief is very varied, leading to a mosaic of landscapes: hills, high plains, basins, compact massifs and volcanic formations.
- The oriental hillside is separated from the highland by an abrupt cliff.
- The South has a little irregular relief as well as the West part.
The settlement
The settlement was made in a frame of migrations organized and spread over several centuries. After the Indonesians and the Malayo-polynesians, the Semites and the Islamized Arabs settled down around of Madagascar from the VIIIth century. The beginning of the XVIth century marks the arrival of the Europeans, as well as that of African people’s native of Mozambique.
18 ethnic groups form the Malagasy population, each having its own custom, but contributing to the national integrity.