Madagascar is situated east of Africa, between 12 and 26 degrees southern latitude, at a minimum distance of 400 km from the African continent, with a size similar to that of France. Its length from north to south is 1580 km, its width is 580 km, and its coastal lines total almost 5000 km. You can view a map (100k) here.

About 100 million years ago, Madagascar separated itself from the African continent. Thereafter, the island flora and fauna developed along a separate path. The well-known monkeys did not develop here, thus allowing lemurs to survive and create further species. About half of the chameleon species in the world live on Madagascar. Included among the 3000 species of butterflies on the island is the Comet, which is the largest in the world, with a wingspread of 25 cm.

The Flora are characterized by a large, partly unexplored, diversity. The baobabs of the south and west, and the 1200 species of orchids, may be the most well-known representatives. A large number of plants contain pharmaceutical substances, and are thus raising more and more interest from western pharmaceutical companies.

Madagascar has been inhabited since around 1000 a.d. Apart from African, the population exhibits mostly Asian characteristics. Scientists have been trying to determine how people, 1000 years ago, managed to cross over from the region of today's Indonesia and Malaysia, to Madagascar - either with the help of passat winds directly across the Indian Ocean, or gradually along the coasts of Thailand, India, Near East and Africa.

The first European visitors arrived around 1500 a.d., and were, in some cases, pirates. In the 17th century, after the Portuguese, the French attempted to set foot on the island; however, they failed and withdrew. Later in the same century, the process of unification began at the initiative of King Adrianampoinimerina, and was later furthered by his son, Radama I, then with the help of Europeans. His successor, Queen Ranavalona I, took an opposite turn, persecuted all Europeans and reduced diplomatic relations with Europe. This called up the French again, who took it as a reason to forcefully attack the country. The fighting continued until Madagascar was finally colonized by France in 1895.

After World War II, the democratic movement was founded, and in 1960, the country was released by De Gaule to independence. The first president was Philibert Tsiranana, a social democrat and anti-communist, who served from 1965-1970. After unrest and a referendum, the "Democratic Republic Madagascar" was founded in 1975 according to socialistic patterns, and lasted until 1993 when it was replaced by the third democratic republic.

The economy suffered under the nationalization executed in 1975, and recovered only slowly at the end of the 80's, when the West regained influence. Export products are coffee, vanilla, clove, fish, shrimps, sugar, sisal, tobacco, cacao, wood, pepper, chromium, and graphite.

On May 6th, 2002, Marc Ravalomanana was sworn in as president. As successful undertaker in the agro-food business, he represented a new type of leader. Before that, Madagascar had gone through its deepest political and economical crisis in modern history, caused by the former president Didier Ratsiraka refusing to accept his victory and to hand over office to him. This led to a several months long blockade of the capital. A number of stratigic road bridges where blown up. The whole country was paralized.

The number of tourists arriving is still low, Madagascar can not compete with the much smaller neighbouring Mauritius. In 2006 there were 311.000, in 2007 344.000, in 2008 375.000. In 2009, ther will be a significant drop due to the crises. For the countrys economy, tourism is very important. Mass tourism, however, is not in sight, even though some folks claim that Nosy Bé is already crowded. In smaller areas, one often travels alone.

Madagascar can be travelled to all year round. In the menu, you details in The seasons.