Madagascar island is one of the famous spots in the world. The Republic of Madagascar occupies the island of the same name the world’s fourth largest, located in the Indian Ocean off the south-east coast of Africa. Madagascar has a mountainous heart and central plateaux, with rain forests to the east and dry forests and deserts to the west and south.

Population in Madagascar Island:

19,449,000 (2007 estimate)

Best time to visit :

The cooler dry/ season (May to October)

The capital of the republic is Antananarivo and the other major cities are Antsirabe, Mahajanga and Toamasina. The island was violently annexed by France in the late 19th century, attaining independence in 1960.  A period of political instability seems to be over and this intriguing nation is at last finding its feet.

How to get there:

By air, with various international carriers serving the island. There is also a ferry service from Mauritius. Air Madagascar operates a network of internal flights.

Madagascar’s long isolation from outside influences has resulted in unique flora and fauna, with many plants and animals thaf are found nowhere else. Unfortunately, this special ecosystem is under threat from extensive logging and slash-and-burn agriculture.

Best Places to visit and things to do in Madagascar Island:

A) Ranomafana National Park — lush rainforest teeming with wildlife, including lots of lemurs (permit required).

B) A ride on the train from Fianarantsoa to Manakara for a really scenic trip.

C) The quiet coastal area around the villages of lfaty, Mangilly and Mandio Rano, for beautiful beaches, coral reefs and whale watching in season (July and August).

D) The Royal Hill of Ambohimanga – an important historic complex that includes a royal city and burial ground, now a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

E) lsalo National Park near Ranohira – where the central plateaux explode into spectacular sandstone bluffs and plunging gorges (a local guide and permit required).

F) The resort island of Nosy Be – for those wanting a conventional tropical beach holiday and/or exceptional diving opportunities.

G) The Pangalanes Canal – a fabulous series of natural and artificial lakes parallel to the sea in the ‘Garden of Madagascar’ (the east coast).

Tourism has not been a priority in a country that largely depends on agriculture, flshing and forestry.

The infrastructure is poor, with only one main road from Tana to the south-west coast. Adventurous visitors tour by bicycle, or charter a yacht with local guide for a memorable exploration of the coastline. Otherwise it’s a case of taking an internal flight to the town or city of your choice, finding a hotel and sallying forth from there by bus or taxi.