Madagascar

Introduction

Situated off the southeast coast of Africa, Madagascar is the fourth largest island in the world. It is separated from the coast of Africa by the Mozambique Channel, the shortest distance between the island and the mainland is 400 km.

Madagascar consists mainly of a block of crystalline rocks. It is generally described as a plateau, rising sharply from the narrow plain of the east coast and descending in a series of steps to the strip of sedimentary rocks along the west coast. The high plateau is much indented and, on the eastern edge, cut by deep gorges and waterfalls. There are numerous volcanic outcrops that produce heights over 6,000 ft (the highest point being Tsaratanan, at 9,450 ft) and two former volcanic areas, Ankaratra and Andringingtra, which are over 8,500 ft.

The eastern coast is almost straight and has very few anchorages. Behind its coral beaches there is an almost continuous line of lagoons from Foulpointe to Farafrandana. These are linked by man-made channels to form an inland waterway called the Pangalanes Canal. The island's major rivers flow westward.

The Africa Guide's recommended Book
		Madagascar & Comoros - (Lonely Planet - 2008)   (amazon.com) - USA    (amazon.co.uk) - Europe Hike through forested canyons in the Parc National de I'Isalo, where ring-tailed lemurs scamper in the trees Catch a whiff of cloves, ylang-ylang and vanilla driving north of Soanierana-Ivango Drift down the Tsiribihina Riverin a wooden pirogue, passing cliffs carpeted with sleeping bats Gaze into the vast jaws of an insect-eating plant in Parc National d'Andohahela

The Africa Guide's recommended Map
		Madagascar Travel Map  (Maps Worldwide) Published by ITMB Publishing Ltd specialise in areas that are interesting, exotic and off the beaten track. In addition to the wealth of detail - many of the maps are strong on the physical features of the various countries - there is usually informative text included with the map, dealing with the history, culture, etc. The maps are light, practical and should be invaluable for the backpacker, traveller or tourist.