Interesting facts about Madagascar that you might not know

• Interesting facts about Madagascar that you might not know

Many, of course, watched the cartoon "Madagascar" and its sequels, but few people know the real country in which the events occur animated film. Located about 400 kilometers east of mainland Africa, Madagascar is an isolated and mysterious country, still located away from mass tourism. This exotic country is actually one of the most exciting and intriguing places on the planet.

Madagascar has always been a source of inspiration for the creation of a large number of remarkable documentaries and feature films. If you've seen one of them, and you will fall in love with this wonderful island nation, then this post is - for you! And if you were not looking, but you're curious to know what all so admire, then you must familiarize yourself with these 25 interesting facts about Madagascar, you did not know until now!

Interesting facts about Madagascar that you might not know

25. From the political and geographical point of view Madagascar now belongs to Africa, but it was originally a part of Asia. About 88 million years ago the island was separated from the Indian subcontinent as a result of the collapse of the prehistoric supercontinent Gondwana.

24. Because the native plants and animals have evolved in relative isolation, Madagascar has become a real nature reserve, differing biological diversity: more than 90% of the flora and fauna of Madagascar are endemic.

23. Covering an area of 587.000 square meters. km, Madagascar is the fourth largest island in the world (after Greenland, New Guinea and Borneo).

22. Currently, Madagascar is home to more than 24 million people, mainly villagers, of which 69% live below the poverty line, set at $ 1 per day.

21. From 1897 to 1960, Madagascar was part of the French colonial empire, and even today, French is one of the two official languages of the country, although most of the inhabitants of Madagascar as the main language used Malagasy.

20. Also known by its French Colonial name "Tan", the city of Antananarivo, the capital of the state and the largest city in the country. This one, the six millionth metropolis with many modern buildings, factories, and commercial real estate is the political, economic, educational and cultural center of the country.

19. Madagascar is a real botanical paradise: it grows almost 15,000 species of plants, including 170 species of trees (3 times more than in the whole of mainland Africa), and 860 species of orchids.

18. However, the most symbolic plant of Madagascar became a baobab. On our planet, there are 9 kinds of this whimsical tree, 6 of which can be seen only in Madagascar.

17. Once Madagascar has been a popular holiday destination of European pirates and is rumored to be on it was a free independent pirate republic Lieberthal. According to the stories, the pirates abandoned their national identity and called themselves "Liberia", creating its own government and laws of the system. It is alleged that they were fighting against the monarchy, the inequality of men and money, freeing prisoners and releasing the will of the slaves.

16. In Madagascar, preserved a lot of traditional entertainment such as Murayngi (Moraingy) - kind of martial arts popular in coastal regions, Savik (Savika) - a kind of rodeo with wild cattle and Zebu Fanorona (Fanorona) - a board game strategy , widespread in mountainous areas.

15. The president of Madagascar, assumed his post in January 2014 - the longest name of all heads of states of the world: Hery Rajaonarimampianina (Hery Rajaonarimampianina).

14. Almost 80% of the world's vanilla production comes from Madagascar. Other key agricultural resources of the country include coffee, lychees and shrimp.

13. In Madagascar, there are more than 100 species and subspecies of lemurs, including the legendary creature known as the aye-aye (Madagascar or rukonozhka) - large nocturnal primate, famous for its quaint appearance and an unusual way of obtaining food, known as " percussive foraging. "

12. In spite of the fact that Madagascar is the most important focus of biodiversity on the planet, it also suffers from deforestation. It is estimated that after the island there were people, more than 90% of the original forest has been destroyed (as a result of logging, poaching and due to pollution).

11. The most popular sport is rugby in Madagascar. The country currently occupies 41 place in the world ranking of the International Rugby Board (World Rugby) and boasts an impressive number of registered players (over 22.540) and rugby clubs (more than 410).

10. Although the predominant religion is Christianity in Madagascar (introduced by missionaries), most people still worship the cult of ancestors, belief in the magical power of deceased ancestors and relatives. Even modern Malagasy find dead relatives of the family. Many of them are buried in the graves of the dead, which are then referred to the caves and high cliffs (so that they are closer to their ancestors, who already in heaven).

9. While Madagascar is not on the top of the list of the best tourist destinations in Africa such as the Seychelles and Mauritius, it boasts several breathtaking beaches.

8. Madagascar has always been popular French sports game called "boules" in which large throw metal balls as close as possible to a small wooden ball. In 1999, the Malagasy even became a champion Petanque world.

7. Many Malagasy believe in witches and mermaids exist. To guard against their evil spells, it is recommended to wear in the pockets of the fruits of chickpeas (chick-peas), and throw them into witches.

6. Madagascar - amazingly diverse country. Its landscape varies considerably - from the rain forests and mountains (the highest point is located at an altitude of 2876 meters above sea level) to the deserts and rice fields.

5. Tropical cyclones annually cause damage to infrastructure and the local economy of Madagascar, not to mention the loss of life. For example, in 2004 a cyclone "Gafilo" (Gafilo) claimed the lives of 172 people, destroyed houses 214,000 people and caused damage of more than $ 250 million.

4. archaeologists estimated that the earliest tribes who settled in Madagascar, came to the island in successive waves between 350 BC. e. and 550 AD. e., although some scientists are skeptical about the dates before the year 250 BC. e. In any case, these data allow us to call Madagascar with one of the last major landmasses on the planet that was inhabited by people.

3. Once in Madagascar lived elephant bird, elephant bird of the family, which is one of the largest bird that ever lived on our planet. Madagascar Aepyornis, according to some estimates, weighed up to 500 kg. These flightless birds became extinct at the turn of XVII-XVIII centuries for reasons that are unclear, although one of the main suspected causes - they were destroyed by man.