[Amazing] 25 Curious Facts About Madagascar You Might Not Know
While so many people know the 2005 animated comedy film “Madagascar” and its sequels, few are familiar with the actual Madagascar country. Located some 400 kilometers (250 miles) east of mainland Africa, Madagascar is a somewhat isolated and mysterious country spared by mass tourism so far. Yet, this exotic African country is one of the most vibrant and intriguing places on Earth, having been the inspiration for a number of great documentaries. If you have seen one of them and fell in love with this amazing island country, this post is right for you as it will provide you with 25 Curious Facts About Madagascar You Might Not Know. Did you know, for example, that Madagascar was once a part of Asia? Do you know what the most popular sport in Madagascar is or what supernatural beings local people still believe in? Also, we are sure you have never heard of Libertalia, a mythical anarchist colony that was allegedly established on Madagascar by European pirates in the 17th century. To find out even more about this extraordinary country, check out these 25 Curious Facts About Madagascar You Might Not Know.
Both politically and geographically Madagascar now belongs to Africa but originally, it was a part of modern Asia. Around 88 million years ago, the island split from the Indian peninsula, following the prehistoric breakup of the supercontinent Gondwana.
Source: en.wikipedia.org, image: commons.wikimedia.org
As the island´s native plants and animals have evolved in relative isolation, Madagascar has become a true biodiversity hotspot with over 90% of its wildlife being endemic.
Source: en.wikipedia.org, image: pixabay.com
Occupying a total area of 588,000 square kilometers (227,000 square miles), Madagascar is the fourth largest island in the world after Greenland, New Guinea and Borneo.
Source and image: en.wikipedia.org
These days, Madagascar is home to over 22 million mostly rural people out of which approximately 69 percent live below the national poverty line threshold of one dollar per day.
Source and image: en.wikipedia.org
From 1897 to 1960, Madagascar was a part of the French colonial empire and even today, French is one two official languages in the country. Most people in Madagascar speak Malagasy, the other language, as their first language though.
Source and image: en.wikipedia.org
Also known by its French colonial name “Tana”, Antananarivo is the capital and largest city in Madagascar. Full of modern buildings, factories and commercial properties, this 1.6 million metropolis is the political, economic, educational and cultural heart of the country.
Source: en.wikipedia.org, image: commons.wikimedia.org
A true botanical paradise, Madagascar is home to almost 15,000 plant species including 170 palm species (three times as many as on all of mainland Africa) and 860 orchid species.
Source and image: en.wikipedia.org
However, it is the baobab that has become the most iconic plant of Madagascar. There are just nine species of this bizarrely beautiful tree in the world, out of which six can be found only in Madagascar.
Source: en.wikipedia.org, image: commons.wikimedia.org
Madagascar used to be a popular resting place for European pirates and was rumored to be the site of the independent pirate nation of Libertalia. According to the story, pirates renounced their national identities and called themselves Liberi, making their own system of government and law. Allegedly, they waged war against states and lawmakers, releasing prisoners and freeing slaves.
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Madagascar has preserved many of their of traditional pastimes such as Moraingy, a type of hand-to-hand combat popular in coastal regions, Savika, wrestling of zebu cattle, or Fanorona, a strategy board game widespread throughout the Highland regions.
Source: en.wikipedia.org, image: commons.wikimedia.org
Hery Rajaonarimampianina, the president of Madagascar (serving since January 2014), has a longer family name than any other head of state in the world.
Source: en.wikipedia.org, image: commons.wikimedia.org
Almost 80% of the world’s vanilla comes from Madagascar. Other key agricultural resources include coffee, lychees and shrimps.
Source: en.wikipedia.org, image: commons.wikimedia.org
Madagascar is home to over 100 species and subspecies of lemur, including the legendary creature known as the aye-aye, a large nocturnal primate famous for his bizarre appearance and unusual method of finding food known as percussive foraging.
Source: en.wikipedia.org, image: flickr.com
Despite being one of the world´s most important biodiversity hotspots, Madagascar has been suffering from deforestation. It is estimated that - due to logging, poaching and pollution - more than 90% of the original forest has been lost since the arrival of humans to the island.
Source: en.wikipedia.org, image: commons.wikimedia.org
Rugby is by far the most popular sport in Madagascar. The country is currently ranked 41st worldwide by World Rugby and it boasts over 22,540 registered players and more than 410 rugby clubs.
Source: en.wikipedia.org, image: commons.wikimedia.org
Although the predominant religion in Madagascar is Christianity (introduced by missionaries), most of them are still animists, believing in the magic powers of their ancestors. Even modern Malagasies regard the deceased relatives as part of the family. Many of them bury the dead in coffins placed high up in caves and on the cliffs (to bring them closer to ancestors in heaven).
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Although Madagascar does not rank among top African tourist destinations such as Seychelles or Mauritius, it boasts a number of breathtakingly beautiful beaches.
Source: en.wikipedia.org, image: commons.wikimedia.org
Madagascar has been very successful in petanque, a French sport game in which heavy metal balls are thrown as close as possible to a small wooden ball. In 1999, a Malagasy even became a petanque world champion.
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Many Malagasies believe in witches and mermaids. To keep safe from their evil force, you are advised to carry chickpeas in your pockets and throw them at the witch.
Source: oliviaprentzel.com, image: en.wikipedia.org
Madagascar is a surprisingly diverse country. Its landscape greatly varies from rain forests and mountains (the highest peak is 2,876 m or 9,436 ft) to deserts and rice paddies.
Source: en.wikipedia.org, image: commons.wikimedia.org
Tropical cyclones annually cause damage to Madagascar´s infrastructure and local economies as well as loss of life. In 2004, for example, Cyclone Gafilo killed 172 people, left over 214,000 homeless and caused more than US$250 million in damages.
Source and image: en.wikipedia.org
Archaeologists have estimated that the earliest tribes to settle Madagascar arrived in successive waves between 350 BC and 550 AD, while others are cautious about dates earlier than 250 AD. In either case, these dates make Madagascar one of the last major landmasses on Earth to be settled by humans.
Source: en.wikipedia.org, image: commons.wikimedia.org
Madagascar was once home to the elephant bird – one of the largest birds to have ever roamed Earth. Estimated to weigh in up to 500 kg (1,100 lb), these birds became extinct in the 17th or 18th century for unclear reasons, although human activity is the suspected cause.
Source and image: en.wikipedia.org
Numerous reptiles are native to Madagascar including 80 snake species, but none of them are venomous.
Source: wildmadagascar.org, image: en.wikipedia.org
Despite the ever popular children’s Pixar movie “Madagascar”, there are actually no lions, giraffes, hippos, penguins or zebras living on this island.
Source and image: en.wikipedia.org
