Madagascar is the world's fourth-largest island, off the south-east coast of Africa, isolated for 88 million years and home to lemurs, baobabs and a unique flora and fauna found nowhere else.
Geography & landscape
Madagascar sits in Eastern Africa, in the southern hemisphere of Africa. With an area of approximately 587,041 km², it is a mid-sized country, set in the southern hemisphere and exposed to the tropical climate band typical of its latitude. Its capital, Antananarivo, lies near coordinates -20°, 47°.
The country shares the cultural and geographic context of Africa, with neighbouring states and trade routes shaped by its position in the wider Eastern Africa region. Topography, watersheds and coastline (where present) define the practical realities of agriculture, settlement and transport across Madagascar.
People & society
The population of Madagascar is around 30M. Communities, dialects and customs vary by region, and the country’s sense of identity is shaped by its history, its borders and the everyday rhythms of its towns and cities.
Madagascar recognises multiple official languages — Malagasy and French — reflecting the cultural plurality at the heart of national life. The choice of language often shifts with region, audience and context.
Government & politics
Madagascar is structured as a semi-presidential republic. Political authority is exercised through institutions based primarily in Antananarivo, with the head of state and head of government performing constitutional roles defined by the country’s legal framework. Domestic policy, foreign relations and the administration of public services all flow from this constitutional core.
Economy & currency
The official currency of Madagascar is the Malagasy Ariary (MGA). Monetary policy, banking, taxation and trade are managed nationally, often in coordination with regional and international institutions. Major economic activity tends to cluster around Antananarivo and other principal urban centres, with secondary economies built on the country’s natural resources, manufacturing capacity and service industries.
Culture & everyday life
The cultural footprint of Madagascar shows up in cuisine, music, sport, religious life, festivals and design. National holidays mark the country’s historical pivots; family meals, café culture and street life follow patterns rooted in geography and tradition. International audiences usually meet Madagascar through its sport, its music, its food, or the global diaspora that carries those things abroad.
Travel essentials
The capital, Antananarivo, is the natural starting point for first-time visitors. International dialling uses the country code +261, and clocks are set to the EAT (UTC+3) time zone. ISO standards identify Madagascar as MG (alpha-2) and MDG (alpha-3) — useful when booking flights, decoding number plates, or matching customs paperwork. The flag, 🇲🇬, appears at every border post and on every passport.
By the numbers
Sort or filter the table below to compare key metrics at a glance.
| Metric | Value | Unit / Note |
|---|---|---|
| Capital city | Antananarivo | — |
| Continent | Africa | — |
| Sub-region | Eastern Africa | — |
| Population | 30M | people |
| Area | 587,041 | km² |
| Currency | Malagasy Ariary (MGA) | — |
| Calling code | +261 | international dialling |
| Time zone | EAT (UTC+3) | standard time |
| Government type | Semi-presidential republic | — |
| ISO 3166 alpha-2 | MG | 2-letter code |
| ISO 3166 alpha-3 | MDG | 3-letter code |
| Latitude | -20 | degrees |
| Longitude | 47 | degrees |
Did you know?
About 90% of Madagascar's wildlife species exist nowhere else on Earth, the result of 88 million years of evolutionary isolation.
