Madagascar

about madagascar

Madagascar – Eighth continent

Lemurs, lush rain forests, baobabs, national parks, beautiful beaches, mountains, thorny deserts, local tribes are on Madagascar’s itineraries, a perfect destination for travelers who enjoy nature and outdoor activities.

Madagascar is an island nation in the Indian Ocean , the fourth largest island in the world with impressive natural beauty and many exotic animals. Thanks to its isolated location, it has developed a wide variety of habitats, and is considered one of the most important biodiversity sites in the world. Although it covers less than 1% of the Earth’s surface, the country is home to more than half of the planet’s animal and plant species.

Those who visit the nation also have the opportunity to experience an eccentric mix of Africa and Asia. There are more than 20 ethnic groups and, therefore, there is a wide variety of beliefs and customs, the cultural heritage has roots in Southeast Asia, India, Africa and the Middle East. Ancestors are so present in the daily lives of Malagasy (born on the island) that in many regions they dictate the rules and are even above the law.

Located in the center of Madagascar, the overpopulated Antananarivo is the capital as well as the political and economic center. It is known as the “City of 1,000 warriors” and is affectionately called Tana.

geography

The island was separated from the African continent about 160 million years ago and is located 402 km off the east coast of Africa, east of Mozambique. Due to its isolated geographical position from African countries – it is separated by the Mozambique Channel – it is known as the “ Eighth Continent ”. Madagascar guarantees its fourth place in the ranking of the largest islands in the world – behind only Greenland, Papua New Guinea and Borneo – because of its 587 thousand km². It gathers more than 250 islands and many are part of archipelagos.

Madagascar can be divided into six geographic regions: north, dry forests of the west, central highlands, east coast, tropical forests of the southwest and dry forests of the southwest. The Tsaratanana massif is in the north of the island and there is the highest mountain in Madagascar, Mount Maromokotro , with 2876m. To the west, the high areas descend more gradually and there is a wide coastal plain along the Mozambique Channel. The central plateaus run from the north to the south of the island, with altitudes between 800 and 1,800 meters. While an area southeast of Madagascar receives abundant rainfall, in the extreme southwest it rarely rains. The island has limestone formations in the west and north, known as ” Tsingy ” and results from years of rain that causes erosion of the limestone base.

It has a population of more than 21.9 million inhabitants , represented by more than 20 ethnic groups. It is estimated that more than 80% live below the poverty line and depend on agriculture. The capital, Antananarivo, is in the center of the island and is surrounded by hills.

vegetation

The mountains divide the island geographically, climatically and culturally. The east coast, for example, has dense forest and large conglomerates of trees, while on the west coast the undergrowth predominates. Madagascar is home to two types of forest. The tropical deciduous forest covers much of western Madagascar, while the lush rainforest covers regions of the east and the edge of the central plateau.

The southwestern tip is a very dry desert area, with huge hedges and other types of vegetation, such as baobabs . Between the savanna landscape in the northwest and the desert in the southwest there is another area with a steppe landscape.

The tropical forests of Atsinanana , composed of six national parks in the east of the country, are of enormous importance for the survival of the island’s unique biodiversity, several species are rare and are threatened, especially lemurs (primates). Due to their importance, forests were included, in 2007, in the World Heritage List.

Deciduous forests are defined by the presence of tree species with broad leaves and climatic conditions that include a dry and long season, in addition to their tropical latitude. These ecosystems host an extraordinary variety of different animal and plant species, including baobabs and lemurs .

climate and best season to travel

Despite being a destination that can be visited all year round, the most suitable period to travel anywhere in the country is during the dry season (May to October). However, in this period the central part of the country, including the capital, can be cold, with wind and rain. Between January and March, the rains are heavy and in many areas the roads are impassable. In addition, there is a high risk of cyclones in eastern and northeastern Madagascar.

The areas in the west and southwest are very hot during the summer (November to March), but the winter months are pleasant, with blue skies, lower temperatures and little rain. Most of the rain in the northeast falls from July to September and the sea is very dangerous.

Maximum average temperatures range from 30 ° C in coastal areas (higher in summer) to around 25 ° C in the Hauts highlands. In Antananarivo and other mountainous areas, temperatures during winter reach up to 10 ° C during the day and is even lower at night.

Popular hotels and tourist attractions are full and prices tend to increase during the European holiday season (between July and August), Christmas and Easter.

language

When traveling through the streets you can hear Malagasy and French , the official languages. But there are also people who speak dialects and English, especially in the tourist areas. Malagasy is a Malay-Polynesian language spoken by the majority of the population, while French remains the main language in the written media and in education.

history

Madagascar began to be populated by human beings in the last 2,000 years, which is recent in the history of mankind. The Malagasy , as the people who are born on the island are called, are descendants of people from Indonesia , who crossed the Indian Ocean and settled in Magadascar. Arab and African peoples arrived later, however, made important contributions to the island’s culture. The east coast of Madagascar was dominated by pirates .

The island became known to Europeans after being spotted in 1500 by a Portuguese ship, commanded by Diogo Dias , who separated from a fleet that was going to India. The captain named the island St. Lawrence . In the 1500s, the Portuguese, French, Dutch and still English tried to establish commercial spots in Madagascar, however, all these attempts failed because the Malagasy warriors imposed hostile conditions and fought against foreign domination. Only at the end of the 17th century, the Europeans managed to enter Madagascar, while the pirates dominated the east side of the island, they attacked ships that took goods from India to Europe. The French also tried to establish themselves on the east coast throughout the 18th century and were unsuccessful.

The Sakalavas founded the first kingdom of Madagascar. However, in 1810, his rivals, the Merina , managed to unite several tribes and form a single empire called the Merina kingdom, which already dominated almost the entire island at the time. The Merina king, Radama I , established trade relations with the British and allowed English missionaries to enter and spread Christianity around the island, including the Roman alphabet. In the reign of Radama, Madagascar experienced a small industrial revolution, the king allowed Europeans to contribute to the modernization of the kingdom to expand its conquests. After the king’s death in 1828, his wife, Ranavalona I , took power and terrorized the island of Madagascar for 33 years. She expelled foreigners, persecuted Christians, executed political rivals and returned with the tradition of sacrificing children born on days considered to be bad luck. Relations with Europe were only re-established after the queen’s death.

In 1883, the French attacked Madagascar and transformed the island into a French protectorate after almost 3 years of war and much resistance from the natives . Madagascar really became a French colony in 1896, when it already controlled the entire territory. The monarchy was abolished and French became the official language. Between 1910 and 1920, nationalism grew, fueled by discontent with the French government, and in 1947 the French suppressed an armed rebellion in the east, where thousands of people were killed. In 1958, Madagascar asked for autonomy and was granted by French President Charles de Gaulle. On June 26, 1960, Madagascar became independent with Philibert Tsiranana as president of the country .

But, the military wanted to seize power in the early 1970s with the aim of reaching a socialist paradise, which never happened. Tsiranana was considered a good leader, but was pointed out by many radicals as being a puppet of the French. Amid popular unrest in 1972, Tsiranana stepped down and was succeeded by Didier Ratsiraka , a naval officer. In June 1975, Lieutenant Commander Didier Ratsiraka was appointed head of state after a coup. The country is renamed the Democratic Republic of Madagascar and Ratsiraka is elected president for a seven-year term.

In 1976, Ratsiraka nationalized large parts of the economy and formed the Arema party . Over the years, he increased state control over the economy until 1986, when he changed course and promoted a market economy. But, the pressure of the demonstrations against the adopted measures increased and Ratsiraka decided to introduce democratic reforms in 1992 , including a new Constitution was approved by referendum. In the days of dictator Didier Ratsiraka the government was extremely corrupt and stole much of the country’s money. Madagascar was an exploitation colony, which means extraction of natural resources to the maximum, and no investment and economic growth.

In 1993, Albert Zafy was elected president. But three years later, his term was revoked and Ratsiraka was re-elected to the position . In March 2000, a cyclone hit the island and left thousands homeless. In December 2000, the Arema party won in provincial elections in most cities, in addition to Antananarivo. These elections were for a new system of local government. About 70% of voters did not vote after the opposition called for a boycott, saying voters were not properly informed about the reforms.

In February 2001, a group of opposition parliamentarians established the so-called “ Union of Crisis to Defend Democracy ” as the government was going through a major political crisis. In May 2001, the Senate reopened after 29 years, completing the government framework provided for in the 1992 Constitution, which replaced the revolutionary socialist system. The new government framework comprises the presidency, the National Assembly, the Senate and the high constitutional court.

The new president, Marc Ravalomanana , promised to bring democracy to the country and ruled until 2009. He built a commercial empire and became the richest man in Madagascar. Ravalomanana was forced out of office and was replaced by Andry Rajoelina , who left office when the elections were held in 2013. The president of the 4th Malagasy Republic, inaugurated in 2014, is President Hery Rajaonarimampianina , who was a former finance minister.

visa

All visitors to Madagascar are required to get a visa to enter the country. Besides getting visa from an embassy or consulate in advance, foreign visitors can also obtain visa online or on arrival. In addition, they must hold a passport valid for 6 months and return or onward ticket.

It is essential to present the International Vaccination Certificate (ANVISA) the citizens of the countries which represents risk of yellow fever on boarding, which proves that the yellow fever vaccine was properly taken at least 10 days before. Children under the age of one are exempt from the vaccine.

Check that your passport has at least two consecutive blank pages and that it is valid at least six months after returning to the country of origin.

More info at evisamada.gov.mg/en/

national parks and reserves

Magadascar has 47 protected areas, divided between national land parks, national marine parks, nature reserves and special reserves. The conservation of ecosystems, ecotourism and the development of the surrounding communities are among the country’s concerns. The island’s biodiversity is unique, 80% of animal species and 90% of vegetation are endemic, that is, exclusive to Madagascar.

The Isalo National Park is one of the most visited in the country, it is considered a natural sanctuary, with beautiful landscapes and still houses most of the endemic species of Madagascar. There are 77 species of birds, 14 species of nocturnal lemurs (8 of which were introduced and 7 of them exclusive), in addition to 400 species of flowers and many reptiles, amphibians and carnivores. Created in 1962, it is the main natural curiosity of the southern route of the country, this park is chronologically the second in Madagascar and covers an area of ​​81 thousand hectares. It offers many activities, including hiking to enjoy the local fauna, such as red – tailed and ring – tailed lemurs . The Singes Canyon is another attraction, on your way you can enjoy waterfalls, natural pools and beautiful landscapes, not to mention the unforgettable sunset.

With 41,600 hectares, the Ranomafana National Park is one of the best equipped to explore the biodiversity of the tropical forest in the east. Situated in a mountainous and very rainy area, it alternates green cliffs and rivers with scattered waterfalls. It is home to 12 species of lemurs and also considered a paradise for Madagascar birds, 114 species that can be seen especially between September and October. Since June 2007, Ranomafana and five other parks on the east coast have been collectively recognized as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO.

The Amber Mountain National Park covers 18,200 hectares of a prominent volcanic massif and with its impressive scenery, rainforest and waterfalls, it is one of the most frequented natural attractions in Madagascar. It was created in 1958 to protect the massif and its ecosystems, including flora and fauna unique to the region. The volcanic massif ranges from 850 meters to 1,475 meters in altitude and has its own microclimate with rains similar to the eastern region. It has wide trails, fascinating flora and fauna, a pleasant climate and lots of information available to the visitor. The name of this park derives from the amber-colored resin that exudes from some of its trees and is used medicinally by the local people.

The Ankarana Nature Reserve combines the enormous wealth of a mineral limestone world with the variety of its ecosystems. It has pointed and limestone rock formations, sacred caves, underground rivers and beautiful landscapes. Its pointed limestone ridges are called ” Tsingy ” rock formations, which rise to hundreds of meters in height. Running through them and under the Tsingy are hidden canyons full of forests and numerous underground rivers. The rich and diverse flora and fauna includes many interesting lemurs and bird species. Covering 18,000 hectares, it is home to 11 species of lemurs, 92 species of birds, 60 species of reptiles and amphibians and more than half of bats in Madagascar.

Anyone who wants to know the Indri Indri , which are the largest lemur monkeys on the island, should visit the Mantadia National Park . In addition to lemurs, chameleons, tenrecs and many birds, the place also attracts many tourists for its rare orchids that bloom in the forest, its magnificent waterfalls and the famous cultural rituals of the inhabitants of its surroundings. Mantadia and the Indri de Analamazaotra Special Reserve form the Andasibe Mantadia National Park .

why madagascar ?

The country’s landscapes are epic and extremely distinct, the visitor can experience a dense and lush forest and then a thorny desert in just 300 kilometers. Few places in the world offer such an intense kaleidoscope of nature .

The different habitats range from tropical forests to dry forests, thorny deserts, reefs, islands, seaweed, mangrove forests and estuaries. These ecosystems are home to an impressive variety of wild species, many of which are found nowhere else. Approximately 95% of Madagascar’s reptiles, 89% of its plants, and 92% of its mammals do not exist anywhere else on Earth .

There are no elephants, zebras or giraffes as in most African countries. Lemurs are the symbol of the country , who watched the movie Madagascar has an idea of ​​these cute primates, with bulging eyes and very skilled among the branches of the trees. There are more than 100 species of lemurs in Madagascar currently identified, they vary in color, size and habits. For example, some are nocturnal, such as aye-aye ; other daytime; insectivores and vegetarians; white, like sifaka ; brown or red; small as the palm of a hand or the size of a child, such as indri , which can measure up to 1 meter in height.

Madagascar is also home to 20 ethnic groups. These groups are more the result of ancient kingdoms than of real ethnic differences. However, the language, the physical appearance and some of the traditions change from one ethnic group to another. These differences are also the result of the first population movements coming from part of Africa and also from Indonesia. This mix of origins makes the culture even more interesting.

The lowlands of the east coast are also home to one of the largest ethnic groups on the island, the friendly Betsimisaraka . The lifestyle of this ethnic group maintains the traditions and customs of ancient times. They grow rice and live mainly on what they harvest in the forest.

Madagascar is a unique destination with its own characteristics, ancestors, for example, are part of the present of the Malagasy and not just of the past. In many regions, customs and traditions are above the law and religions in the West mix with magic. The stories of spirits and ghosts of the ancestors are seen as real and natural as conversations between friends in the markets.

Antananarivo is in the center of Madagascar and is divided into Upper City and Lower City. The first region is on the hillside with multicolored houses, includes craft stores, many fairs. In the lower part is the bustle, guaranteed by restaurants, bars, clubs.

The Nosy Be archipelago is the main attraction on the country’s north coast. Known as the “ Big Island ”, it is the largest island in Madagascar, at 312 km², and the most famous tourist resort area. There are several beautiful beaches, with blue sky and sea, friendly and hospitable people and every sunset the sunset is stunning in this paradise. Visitors can take boat trips around the nearby islands, dive, snorkel and there are also cultural activities.

Sainte-Marie Island, also known as Nosy Boraha , is an island in the east of the country, ideal for those looking for tranquility, who want to see lemurs and chameleons. The famous Matadia National Park , the island of Lemur and Andisabe are inland. The island has fishing villages, small inns, beautiful and deserted beaches.

In the west, the landscapes are dominated by baobabs , the “Tsingy” rock formations, and an indented coast with numerous ports that were used by pirates as a refuge. The Tsingy de Bemaraha Reserve presents a rare geological phenomenon and forms a forest of sharp stones, with limestone pinnacles of up to 100 meters, forming true cathedrals, a unique and impressive setting.

In the south of the country, the Isalo National Park is a wild paradise, with several species of lemurs, endemic plants, and the massive Jurassic rock that protrudes into the sky. On the coast, Tuléar (Toliara) draws attention for its unusual beauty, it is a port and there are several beautiful beaches around Ifaty .

what to wear ?

Madagascar brings together many landscapes and offers many attractions for tourists. Depending on the region and chosen tours – be it resting on the beaches, taking long trails in national parks – the items needed may vary.

In general, be sure to include in your suitcase: a light rain coat, as rain and humidity are constant in tropical forests; light cold jacket for the evening and a heavier jacket (in the winter months), walking and non-slip shoes, wool or synthetic socks (cotton socks when wet remain damp for much longer), comfortable clothes and easy to wash and dry, a small backpack or purse on your back, headlamp, pocket knife, bottle of mineral water, a small face towel, sunglasses, hat, binoculars.

As a prevention, it is important to take insect repellent, medications you usually take for fever, flu, headache, diarrhea, allergy and even antibiotics.

transport

The most popular transport in the country is the taxi-brousse , a minivan with 9 seats but that takes up to 21 people and often animals. They circulate between the main points of the city and even between cities. Despite being cheaper, the visitor needs to be patient when using this type of transport because it only starts to circulate when all the seats are filled with passengers. In addition, most of the times the vehicles are in poor maintenance and the bumpy roads, or almost nonexistent in some sections, make the journey very long and tiring.

Another common means of transport for small trips is the pousse-pousse : a rickshaw, a kind of cart, pulled by a man often barefoot and that accommodates two people.

Another alternative is to seek private transportation, rent a jeep with a local driver who knows the region well and the trip can be much more comfortable and quick.

currency

Malagasy ariary is the currency used in Madagascar. An Ariary (Ar) is divided into 5 iraimbilanja , making it one of the two currencies in circulation in the world without decimal division.

Euros are widely accepted , sometimes dollars in Antananarivo, large cities and tourist areas. There are ATMs in Antananarivo and in other major cities. However, you can withdraw only about € 150 per transaction, and ATMs accept Visa cards in most cases.

Credit cards are not widely used , except in some luxury hotels, in some larger travel agencies, because a fee is charged between 6% and 9% of the amount to be paid. Visa and MasterCard can be used at some banks to obtain cash benefits (ariary). Large banks exchange travelers checks and cash in major currencies. Banks are normally open from 8 am to 12 pm and from 2 pm to 3:30 pm / 4 pm during the week.

The exchange office at Ivato airport has rates that are as good as those of banks and is usually open for international flight arrivals.

vat (value-added tax)

A 20% tax on the circulation of goods (VAT) is added to the price of most products and services.

travel insurance

We recommend purchasing reliable international insurance before boarding. It must cover illness, accident, theft, air evacuation, hospital expenses.

malaria

There is a risk of malaria, so it is recommended to seek advice from your trusted doctor for indication of prophylactic measures against malaria. In addition, vaccination against hepatitis A and B, Tetanus, Poliomyelitis and cholera prevention treatments, especially those who will visit rural areas.

We suggest the use of insect repellent at dawn and dusk, wear clothes that cover the body well during this period and still use musketeers at night.

It is also mandatory for citizens from countries which represents risk of yellow fever to present the International Vaccination Certificate with yellow fever vaccine duly taken at least 10 days before the trip.

important to know

The voltage is 220V and the sockets are with two pins.

Always use bottled water, even to brush your teeth and avoid ice in drinks, if you are not sure that the water has been treated properly.

In small towns, electricity is produced by a generator, so it is only available for a few hours a day. In large cities, however, supply is not interrupted.

The telecommunications network is good, covers much of the country and is available in most cities. Only a few remote locations do not operate a telephone network.

There is no wifi connection in Madagascar, but there are other types of internet connection available in hotels, cyber cafes at a fair price.

The cyclone season in Madagascar usually runs from November to April. Coastal zones are particularly affected and the indication is to monitor the progress of storms in the period.

Be careful in some areas and always follow the advice of local people, especially in the southeastern part of the country. In the southern triangle between Ihosy, Tuléar and Fort-Dauphin the security situation remains tense and the roads are in very poor condition.

Avoid traveling at night on Route Nationale 13 (RN 13) between Ambovombe and Ihosy and on RN 10 between Betioky-Andranovory (the western route to Tuléar). There were several attacks on vehicles.

Be vigilant in the capital Antananarivo particularly on Avenue de L’Independencia, Ambohijatovo, Analakely, Bohorika, Isoraka Ampasamandinika, 67ha, Analakely and around the military barracks in Betongolo. Crimes can happen and tourists are very targeted, do not walk alone, always seek local guidance.

There is no Brazilian diplomatic representation in Madagascar, so keep your documents well and always take your passport on tours, as you can be approached by police on the roads. Keep a copy in the suitcase of all documents, travel tickets, accommodation.

If you come from a western country, your car will likely be stopped by real or fake police officers, who will check your passport and ask for money. The recommendation is to hire a local driver who already knows this practice and knows how to deal with the situation. Avoid driving alone.

Take only small bills of money to shop on the street, in markets, craft fairs, in addition to not attracting much attention, you can even practice the art of bargaining.

curiosities

Madagascar in the Malagasy language is “ Madagasikara ”, derived from the proto-Malay “ End of the Earth ”. It was a reference to the long distance traveled by sea by the first Malaysian settlers who arrived on the island.

The country is also known as the “ Big Red Island ”, as its central plateau is dominated by red soil. The technical name of the soil is laterite, a term used in geology to designate a hardened aluminum and ferrous surface formation. The rain easily dissolves and removes soluble elements (such as sodium and silicon) and leaves more insoluble elements, including iron oxide, which gives rise to the red color of the soil.

Vanilla is one of the most well-known products in Madagascar and is widely used worldwide to flavor foods. Did you know that it comes from an orchid? Vanilla beans need at least two years to grow, in addition to the entire drying process, grinding the beans, which makes the product an expensive spice. It was baptized by the French for centuries as “Vanilla Bourbon” and is so desired worldwide.

There are a vast number of secondary gods or nature spirits that inhabit certain trees, rocks or rivers. These spirits can influence people’s lives, who can visit places where spirits reside to pray for them. Spirits can also possess humans, sending them into a trance (an important and regular phenomenon in some tribes), as well as animals, especially crocodiles and certain lemurs.

It is believed that in Tsingy de Benavony the time of ancestors is at noon. Local guides swear to hear people’s voices and footsteps and say that ancestors don’t like to be disturbed at this time. Thus, tours with tourists take place before or after 1pm.

Antananarivo is known as the “ City of 1,000 warriors ”, as the king of the Merina tribe made available an army of a thousand men to defend the territory.

The country’s national dish is Romazava , which is basically a stew prepared with a mixture of meat and vegetables, spices and condiments. The success of this dish lies in the addition of different meats at different points during cooking, but all meats are perfectly cooked at the end. The accompaniment is usually rice.

A very popular snack is Koba , a pate of rice, bananas and peanuts.

Madagascar is home to more than 80 species of snakes, but none of them are poisonous.

According to the Guinness Book of Records, the smallest egg that exists measures less than 10 millimeters and belongs to a hummingbird that lives on the island of Madagascar, whose English name is “Vervain Humminbird” ( Mellisuga minima ).

The landscapes shown in the film “Madagascar”, released in 2005, were approved, including by the president of Madagascar at the time, Marc Ravalomanana. He visited DreamWorks studios during the production of the feature to learn how the producers had designed the look of his country.