Geography

Madagascar is an island in the Indian Ocean, off the eastern coast of southern Africa, east of Mozambique. At 587,040 km sq (226,642 mi sq), Madagascar is the world's 46th-largest country (after Botswana) and its fourth largest island. It is slightly larger than France.

Madagascar originated as part of the Gondwana supercontinent. Its east coast was formed when Africa broke off from Gondwana around 165 million years ago. Madagascar eventually broke off from India about 65 million years ago.

Madagascar can be divided into five geographical regions: the east coast, the Tsaratanana Massif, the central highlands, the west coast and the southwest. The highest elevations parallel the east coast, whereas the land slopes more gradually to the west coast.

The east coast of Madagascar has lowlands leading to steep bluffs and central highlands. The Tsaratanana Massif in the north has volcanic mountains. The west coast has many protected harbours and broad plains, while the southwest is a plateau and desert region.

The highest point is Maromokotro, in the Tsaratanana Massif region in the north of the island, at 2,876 metres. The capital, Antananarivo, is in the Hauts Plateaux near the centre of the island.