Madagascar Travel Guide

Madagascar

Country: Madagascar

Population: 19,448,815

Capital: Antananarivo

Time Zone: UTC+3

Currency Name: Madagascar ariary (MGA)

Government Type: republic

Languages: French (official), Malagasy (official)

Ethnic Breakdown: Malayo-Indonesian (Merina and related Betsileo), Cotiers (mixed African, Malayo-Indonesian, and Arab ancestry - Betsimisaraka, Tsimihety, Antaisaka, Sakalava), French, Indian, Creole, Comoran

Religion: indigenous beliefs 52%, Christian 41%, Muslim 7%

Major Cities: Antananarivo, Nosy Be

Phone Country Code: 261

Health Concerns: high risk of food, waterborne, vectorborne and water contact diseases (diarrhea, Hepatitis A, typhoid fever, malaria, plague, schistosomiasis)

Official Tourism Website: http://www.madagascar-tourisme.com/

High Travel Season: July - August

Voltage: 220 V - 50 Hz

Electrical Plug Type: c, e

Major Holidays: January 1 (New Year's Day), March 29 (Commemoration of the 1947 Rebellion), Easter, May 1 (Labor Day), Ascension Day, June 26 (Independence Day), August 15 (Assumption Day), November 1 (All Saints Day), December 25 (Christmas Day)

Misc Fact / Good to Know: Madagascar is the fourth largest island in the world.