Madagascar

Madagascar is an island country in the Indian Ocean, off the southeastern coast of Africa. The nation comprises the island of Madagascar as well as numerous smaller peripheral islands. Following the prehistoric breakup of the supercontinent Gondwana, Madagascar split from India around 88 million years ago, allowing native plants and animals to evolve in relative isolation. Consequently, Madagascar is a biodiversity hotspot; over 90 % of its wildlife is found nowhere else on Earth. The island's diverse ecosystems and unique wildlife are threatened by the encroachment of the rapidly growing human population.

Did you know that:
1. Madagascar is the fourth largest island in the world, approximately 587,040 km2. The only larger islands are Greenland, New Guinea and Borneo.
2. Madagascar has two seasons, a hot rainy season which starts in November and last until April and a cooler dry season which starts in May and last until October.
3. One of the most interesting Madagascar facts listed here is that almost all of the animal and plant species found on the island are unique to the island. These plants and animals have evolved into some of the oddest forms found on earth.
4. The island has two official languages, Malagasy and French.
5. Millions of years ago Madagascar was part of the African continent. Over time it broke away and reached the location it is in now (approximately two million years ago).
6. Madagascar has lost approximately ninety percent of its original forest land since humans arrived on the island about two thousand years ago.
7. Madagascar was home to the largest bird in the world, the elephant bird, until it became extinct in the 17th century. It is believed to have been over ten feet tall (3 meters).