Madagascar, or Republic of Madagascar, is an island nation in the Indian Ocean off the southeastern coast of Africa. The main island, also called Madagascar, is the fourth-largest island in the world, and is home to 5% of the world's plant and animal species, of which more than 80% are endemic to Madagascar. They include the lemur infraorder of primates, the carnivorous fossa, three bird families and six baobab species. Two thirds of the population lives below the international poverty line of US$1.25 a day.
Madagascar is a beautiful island, ringed by golden beaches and palm trees, and with an interior that is resplendent in its variety, from grassy plateaus to volcanoes and opaque forests and natural reserves. However, there's more for visitors to do here than laze on a sandy beach and dip into crystalline waters to peek at coral reefs now and again. Cut off from the African mainland for millions of years, Madagascar's forests are a naturalist's paradise; they've preserved oddities and developed specialisations found nowhere else on earth. 
With fascinating tribal cultures and ceremonies and an intriguing assortment of fady (local taboos) thrown in to perplex visitors, Madagascar makes for a truly rewarding experience.• Full Country Name: Republic of Madagascar 

 
• Capital: Antananarivo (population: 0.6 million) 
• Language: Malagasy and French. 
• Currency: Malagasy ariary (MGA) = 5 iraimbilanja. 
• People: Eighteen major ethnic groups, including Malayo-Indonesian, African, Arab, French, Indian, Creole and Comoran. 
• Life Expectancy: Male: 54.57, Female: 59.4. 
• Religion: Christian (41%), Muslim, Traditional beliefs (52%). 
• Size (sq km): 587,000 (45th) 
• Population: 18.6 million (56th) 
• Population Density per sq km: 32 (171st) 
• Country Dialling Code: 261 
• Internet County Code: .mg 
• Time Zone: GMT +3 
• Voltage Guide: 220 AC, 50 Hz. 
• Finance: Limited acceptance of credit cards and traveller's cheques. 
• Business Hours: 0800-1200, 1400-1800 Monday-Saturday (shopping hours, business hours n/a). 
• GDP: US$12.3 billion 
• GDP per Capita: US$800 
• Annual Growth: 4.8% 
• Inflation: 10% 
• Major Industries: Agriculture, meat processing, soap, textiles, cement, automotive assembly, petroleum products. 
• Major Trading Partners: France, Hong Kong, China, Japan, Singapore. 
• Personal Safety: Safe