Madagascar

The Republic of Madagascar is an island country situated 250 miles off the eastern coast of southern Africa across the Mozambique Channel, south of the equator. Over 1,000 miles (1,580 kilometers) long and 350 miles (570 kilometers) wide, it is the world's fourth-largest island. The country has an area of 226,657 square miles and a population of 20.6 million. The official language of Madagascar is Standard Malagasy, although French, English, Comorian, Hindi, Chinese, and other dialects are spoken. This island possesses a unique blend of Asian and African culture and is well known as the home of some of the world's most unusual and most endangered flora and fauna, from lemurs to giant tortoises.