2. Madagascar Continent: L’Afrique Continent: L’Afrique Par: Samantha Andrews Par: Samantha Andrews

3. Important Facts Capital is Antananarivo, also largest city Capital is Antananarivo, also largest city Official languages are Malagasy, French, and English Official languages are Malagasy, French, and English Population is 21.93 million, main tribes are Merina, Betsileo, Betsimisaraka, Antandroy, Tsimihety Population is 21.93 million, main tribes are Merina, Betsileo, Betsimisaraka, Antandroy, Tsimihety Half of religion is indigenous beliefs, 41% are Christian Half of religion is indigenous beliefs, 41% are Christian About 240 miles southeast of Africa in the Indian Ocean About 240 miles southeast of Africa in the Indian Ocean

4. Geography Central plateau rises 4,500 feet Highest peak is Mount Maromokoto at 9,436 feet Along coast, climate is tropical, inland is temperate, and south is arid Animals include chameleons, tortoises, lemurs, and fossas Thousands of medicinal plants including rose periwinkle (the source of 2 anticancer drugs)

5. Key Dates/History Indonesian immigrants moved to island before Christ Indonesian immigrants moved to island before Christ Became a French colony in 1869 Became a French colony in 1869 In 1958, it became a self governing state in French community In 1958, it became a self governing state in French community Philbert Tsiranana was elected 1 st president in 1959 Philbert Tsiranana was elected 1 st president in 1959 In 1975, country changed its name from Malagasy Republic to Madagascar In 1975, country changed its name from Malagasy Republic to Madagascar

6. Main Tourist Attractions Not many tourist attractions but plenty of different dishes to try Meal without rice is considered incomplete Meals are served with loaka (meat, fish, vegetables, of broth) Common drink is golden water (boiled in brown rice that sticks to the bottom of the pan after cooking) Desserts include fruits such as mangos, pineapples, papaya, guava, strawberries, peaches, apples, oranges and grapes

7. Famous People Jean-Joseph Ravearivelo is a famous poet Jean-Joseph Ravearivelo is a famous poet Claude Simon wrote letricheur and has a Nobel prize in literature Claude Simon wrote letricheur and has a Nobel prize in literature Francois Bayle, in 1974, developed the Acousmonium (a loud speaker orchestra Francois Bayle, in 1974, developed the Acousmonium (a loud speaker orchestra

8. Have you ever been to Madagascar? Well come on down and see our beautiful flora and fauna!!

9. Work Cited citation World book student Contributor: Bruce S. Fetter, Ph.D., Professor of History, University of Wisconsin, Milwaukee. How to cite this article: To cite this article, World Book recommends the following format: Fetter, Bruce S. "Madagascar." World Book Student. World Book, 2011. Web. 1 Nov. 2011. World book discover How to cite this article: To cite this article, World Book recommends the following format: "Madagascar." World Book Discover. World Book, 2011. Web. 1 Nov. 2011. Culture grams world edition http://online.culturegrams.com/world/world_country.php?contid=1&wmn=A frica&cid=94&cn=Madagascarhttp://online.culturegrams.com/world/world_country.php?contid=1&wmn=A frica&cid=94&cn=Madagascar