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1) Madagascar has the 3rd largest coral reef in the world, the Toliara coral reef it's off the south-western coast.
2) Lemurs are sacred in Madagascar because of the belief in common ancestry between humans.
3) Many native plants of Madagascar have medication treatments. For example the Madagascar periwinkle has been used in US medication to treat cancers.
4) It is the world's fourth largest island. (226,917 square miles)
5) Despite the poverty, Madagascar is filled with vivid tourism and wildlife.
6)  About 80% of the animals found in Madagascar do not exist any where else on the planet.

Madagascar Periwinkle

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This island is Madagascar home to many of the world's unique species.

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Madagascar is located directly south of the "Horn of Africa."

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Food dishes in Madagascar include many herbs, spices, sea food, vegetables, fruits and rice.
- Ramazava:  is made up of leaves, herbs, pieces of beef and pork that are all cooked in oil
- A popular snack known as Koba is made up of bananas, rice and seafood.
Its not safe to drink tap water in Madagascar, but bottled water is bought throughout the country.
Koba Dish

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In Madagascar, both men and women wear the "lamba." A lamba is a vivid color, two piece outfit that wraps around the waist or chest. And the other piece wraps around the head or shoulders.
Men - Daily clothing in rural areas.
Women- Worn during special occasions and around the house.
LAMBA OUTFIT

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Main religions in Madagascar is traditional beliefs, followed by Christianity, Roman Catholic, Protestants, and Muslims.

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The official two languages spoken in Madagascar are Malagasy and French.
Malagasy Alphabet

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Madagascar has two seasons: a hot  season from November to April; and a cooler season from May to October. The eastern coast has avergering amount of 3.5 meters of rainfall in a year. The country is a very humid climate, but known for the destructive cyclones in the rainy season.

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Madagascar is a large island with high plateaus, and grassy, rolling hills in the center. Along the west coast of the island are swamps of mangroves that give way to deep bays.
Madagascar's Mangroves

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Madagascar is a semi-presidential representative democratic republic, where the Prime Minister is the head of government.

Olivier Mahafaly Solonandrasana

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Madagascar was first settled by African decedents and started trading with merchants along the northern coast.  In the 1700's French settlers tried to set up military positions, but failed due to pirates at the time. Then country was invaded by France and ordered by a dictator,  Didier Ratsiraka until 1991.