Madagascar: Island of Unique Biodiversity

Madagascar, the world's fourth-largest island off East Africa's coast, has unique biodiversity found nowhere else on Earth. Separated from Africa 165 million years ago, Madagascar evolved distinct species including lemurs, chameleons, and baobab trees.

About 90% of Madagascar's wildlife is endemic (found nowhere else), making it a biodiversity hotspot and evolution showcase. Lemurs, Madagascar's most famous animals, range from tiny mouse lemurs to large indris. Baobab Avenue features iconic ancient trees. However, deforestation threatens these unique ecosystems.

Malagasy culture blends African, Asian (particularly Indonesian), and Arab influences, reflecting diverse origins of settlers. The Malagasy language is more closely related to Indonesian than African languages. Despite rich biodiversity, Madagascar is one of the world's poorest countries, facing challenges including political instability, poverty, and environmental degradation. Vanilla cultivation is an important export.