Indian Ocean, 500km (300 miles) off the coast of Mozambique.

GMT + 3.

587,041 sq km (226,658 sq miles).

18.4 million (UN, 2005).

31.34 per sq km.

Antananarivo (formerly Tananarive). Population: 1.5 million (estimate, 2003).

Madagascar, the fourth-largest island in the world, lies in the Indian Ocean off the coast of Mozambique. It includes several much smaller islands. A central chain of high mountains, the Hauts Plateaux, occupies more than half of the main island and is responsible for the marked differences – ethnically, climatically and scenically – between the east and west coasts. The narrow strip of lowlands on the east coast, settled from the sixth century by Polynesian seafarers, is largely covered by dense rainforests, whereas the broader west-coast landscape, once covered by dry deciduous forests, is now mostly savannah. The east coast receives the monsoon and, on both coasts, the climate is wetter towards the north. The southern tip of the island is semi-desert, with great forests of cactus-like plants. The capital, Antananarivo, is high up in the Hauts Plateaux near the island’s centre. Much of Madagascar’s flora and fauna is unique to the island. There are 3000 endemic species of butterfly; the many endemic species of lemurs fill the niches occupied elsewhere by animals as varied as racoons, monkeys, marmots, bushbabies and sloths. There is a similar diversity of reptiles, amphibians and birds (especially ducks), and also all levels of plant life.

Under the terms of a new constitution adopted by popular referendum in August 1992, legislative power resides in a bicameral legislature, comprising a partially-elected Senate and fully-elected National Assembly, each of which has a four-year term. A Council of Ministers is appointed by the Prime Minister. The President is elected by popular vote for a five-year term. The Prime Minister is appointed by the President from a list of candidates nominated by the National Assembly. Executive power rests with the prime minister.

Republic since 1992. Gained independence from France in 1960. Head of State: President Marc Ravalomanana since 2002. Head of Government: Prime Minister Jacques Sylla. Recent history: In 1992, under intense domestic and international pressure, Ratsiraka conceded the introduction of a genuinely democratic constitution. The first Presidential poll under the new system, held in 1993, saw Ratsiraka defeated by Albert Zafy. Three years later, however, Ratsiraka recovered the office and held on to it until 2001. The old highland/lowland rivalry which previously characterised the country’s politics had by now evolved into an urban/rural split. This emerged at the 2001 election. This time Ratsiraka’s opponent was a businessman, Marc Ravalomanana, who drew his main support from urban areas. There was no question that Ravalomanana topped the first round of polling: in dispute was whether or not he had reached the 50 per cent threshold required to claim victory without a second-round run-off (which would have been against Ratsiraka). Both sides mobilised their supporters and a bizarre but violent stand-off followed: the capital was effectively cut off from the rest of the country; roads and bridges were destroyed and suppliers of food and essential goods were unable or unwilling to sell their goods in the capital. With both sides spurning mediation, the outcome depended upon who gained the support of the army. Most senior officers sided with Ravalomanana and, by July 2002, he had secured control over the whole country. Ratsiraka went into exile and was later convicted in his absence of embezzlement. The crisis left Madagascar in a fragile political and economic condition; the country’s difficulties have since been compounded by severe drought, especially in the southern part of the island.
Under the terms of a new constitution adopted by popular referendum in August 1992, legislative power resides in a bicameral legislature, comprising a partially elected Senate and fully elected National Assembly, each of which has a four-year term. A Council of Ministers is appointed by the Prime Minister. The President is elected by popular vote for a five-year term. The Prime Minister is appointed by the President from a list of candidates nominated by the National Assembly. Executive power rests with the Prime Minister.

The official languages are Malagasy (which is related to Indonesian) and French. Local dialects are also spoken. Very little English is spoken.

51 per cent follow animist beliefs; about 43 per cent Christian; remainder Muslim.

 The Madagascans are extremely hospitable and welcoming, although their relaxed attitude to time (public forms of transport, for example, will not generally move until they are full – no matter how long it takes to fill the last seat) may be frustrating. Dress is casual, except for the very smartest hotel and restaurant functions. Visitors are advised not to wear any military-style clothing; locally it is disapproved of and could lead to detention. Entertaining is done in restaurants and bars, and a good degree of acquaintance is necessary before being invited to a family home. Gifts should be offered if staying at a local village, particularly to the village headman, although monetary contributions will be seen as an insult. Respect should be paid to the many local taboos (fady) – but as these vary from region to region this is not always easy; however, it is clear that advice should be sought before approaching tombs and graves. It remains the practice in some regions (though it is increasingly rare due to the enormous cost) to invite an ancestor to a village celebration, disinterring the body so that the ancestor may attend physically, and later re-interring the body with new shrouds; this traditional observance (known as famadihana) demonstrates the continuing hold of traditional beliefs. Visitors invited to such an occasion should consider it a great honour. Photography: Do not photograph military or police establishments.

Mostly 220 volts AC, 50Hz. Plugs are generally two-pin.