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Madagascar
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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Madagascar ·
History ·
Politics ·
Geography ·
Ecology ·
Economy ·
Foreign relations ·
Demographics
Geography of Madagascar
At 226,642 sq mi (587,000 km²), Madagascar is the world's 46th-largest country and its the fourth
largest island. It is slightly smaller than Texas and it also is one of 11 distinct physiographic
provinces of the South African Platform physiographic division.
Towards the east, a steep escarpment leads from the central highlands down into a ribbon of rain
forest with a narrow coastal further east. The Canal des Pangalanes is a chain of natural and man-made
lakes connected by canals that runs parallel to the east coast for some 460 km (about two-thirds of the
island). The descent from the central highlands toward the west is more gradual, with remnants of
deciduous forest and savannah-like plains (which in the south and southwest, are quite dry and host
spiny desert and baobabs). On the west coast are many protected harbours, but silting up is a major
problem caused by sediment from the high levels of erosion inland.
Along the crest of this ridge lie the central highlands, a plateau region ranging in altitude from
2,450 to 4,400 ft (750 to 1350m) above sea level. The central highlands are characterised by terraced,
rice-growing valleys lying between barren hills. Here, the red laterite soil that covers much of the
island has been exposed by erosion, showing clearly why the country is often referred to as the "Red Island".
This massif contains the highest mountain on the island, Maromokotro, with an altitude of 2,876 m
(9,436 ft). The Ankaratra massif is in the central area south of the capital Antananarivo and hosts
the second-highest peak, Tsiafajavona, with an altitude of 2,643 m (8,668 ft). On very rare occasions,
this region experiences snow in winter due to its high altitude. Further south is the Andringitra massif
which has several peaks over 2400 m (about 8,000 ft) including the third and fourth highest peaks, Pic
Boby (8,720 ft, 2,658 m) and Pic Bory (8,626 ft, 2,630 m). Other peaks in the massif include Pic
Soaindra (8,594 ft, 2,620 m) and Pic Ivangomena (8,385 ft, 2,556 m). This massif also contains the
Andringitra Reserve.
There are two seasons: a hot, rainy season from November to April, and a cooler, dry season from May
to October. South-eastern trade winds predominate, and the island occasionally experiences cyclones.
Madagascar ·
History ·
Politics ·
Geography ·
Ecology ·
Economy ·
Foreign relations ·
Demographics
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