The nature of the island has changed greatly under the influence of centuries-old agricultural activities of local pastoralists and farmers. Most of the country's territory was allocated for economic needs, and today many landscapes are secondary, cultivated. But there are many places in Madagascar that will delight travelers with brightness and exoticism.
Tropical climate prevails in Madagascar: it is warm here all year round. Differences in climate on the territory of the island are explained by different heights, the nature of the relief and remoteness from the coast. It is humid in the north, here the climate is equatorial monsoons: northeast monsoon winds blow in summer, southeast in winter. To the east, the island receives less moisture as it is intercepted by the Central Highlands.
Tropical island off Madagascar
Abundant rainfall throughout the year explains the large number of rivers on the island: in the east they are short rivers with rapids and steep slopes, in the west they are large and full-flowing, collecting water from tributaries that run down from the highlands.
Fauna and flora of Madagascar
It is necessary to separately describe the flora and fauna of the island, because, as you know, thanks to them, Madagascar is one of the most unique places on the planet from a biological point of view. About 80% of the flora and fauna of Madagascar are unique. You need to start with the lemur - the symbol of the island, the main component of its entire biodiversity. Lemurs are semi-ape primates that once lived all over the world. The monkeys that appeared some time later displaced the lemurs, and only in Madagascar, in complete isolation, could they survive. Today, there are 60 officially registered species of lemurs on the island, each of which has its own interesting behavioral characteristics: Indri lemurs sing like whales, Ai-Ai extract insects from the bark of trees with their fingers, and Verro's lemurs show amazing dances.
Madagascar lemur
Among Madagascar predators, animals such as mungos and Malagasy civets are interesting. Also, a giant fossa used to live on the island, but due to the extermination of the giant lemurs on which she hunted, this species became extinct.
Half of the chiropteran species - bats - are unique on the island, and seven species are even listed in the Red Book. 99% of the frogs in Madagascar are endemic and are found nowhere else. Madagascar is the birthplace of geckos, radiant, spider and Madagascar tortoises. About 80% of the plants are unique, the flora of the island is considered one of the richest. The famous baobab grows here - "a tree with roots at the top", in the southwest there is a prickly bush that looks like a cactus.
History of Madagascar
About two thousand years ago, the first people appeared in Madagascar - Malasians, a mixture of Africans and Asians (some scientists, however, put forward theories about an earlier settlement of the island). Many settlers were Polynesians or Malays. In 800-900, Arab traders appeared on the island, who traded along the northern coast.
Malagasy house
In 1500, the first European set foot on the land of Madagascar - the Portuguese captain Diego Diaz, who was heading to India and lost his course. After discovering Madagascar, he named it the island of St. Lawrence. In the 15th century, England, Portugal and France tried to establish trading settlements on the island, but local Madagascar warriors stopped these attempts. Only at the end of the 16th century did the Europeans manage to gain a foothold in Madagascar, the eastern coast of which at that time was controlled by pirates who used the island as a base to attack merchant ships heading from India to Europe.
Indri monkeys are relatives of lemurs. Another name for this species of primates is babakoto. Funny name, isn't it?
In the language of the locals, the name "indri" means "here it is." May be. This monkey looks so amazing that, noticing it, people tried to show it to each other?
These monkeys are the largest among the representatives of the infraorder of lemurs living in Madagascar. Indris belong to the order of primates, the indriev family. Let's try to find out more about these lemurs.
Appearance of babakoto
Indri monkeys can weigh up to 9.5 kilograms. The body length of the animal is from 64 to 90 centimeters. For a monkey, this is not so little.
The tail of the indri is short. The limbs are different: the hind limbs are much longer than the front ones. Depending on the area of residence, coat color may vary. But the main colors are gray, white and black. Often, a light triangle stands out on the back of a babakoto. The hair on the head and back is black. There is absolutely no fur on the muzzle.
Indri habitats
Babakoto settle on the island of Madagascar. They are mainly found in the northeastern region.
Indri lifestyle and nutrition
These lemurs prefer rainforests. There they can live up to an altitude of 1800 meters above sea level. But the indris love the lowlands more.
Indri are relatives of lemurs. The main part of the life of the babakoto takes place in the trees. The need to descend to the ground in these animals is almost absent. And why should they? After all, trees have everything they need to live.
Babakoto move spasmodically, both along the ground and along the branches, for this nature provided for them long hind limbs.
Indri are more active during daylight hours. At night, they can leave their lodging for the night only if the weather is bad in the forest, or if they have been pursued by a predator. During the day, indris bask in the warm Madagascar sun, lounging on a tree branch.
Babakoto are herbivorous creatures. The social structure is such that these monkeys form small groups to live together. In such a community, no more than five individuals. As a rule, the members of the group are a female with a male and their babies. In this family, the female is considered the main one, and the male is assigned a secondary role.
Another distinguishing feature of the babakoto monkey is its loud singing. She loves to sing her songs to the whole forest, especially in the morning. Sometimes such "concerts" are heard in the forest a couple of kilometers from the place where the "singer" is located.
Babakoto's diet consists of plant foods. These primates feast on ripe fruits, leaves, flower petals. Sometimes, to prevent poisoning from poisonous leaves, indris swallow a handful of earth, which absorbs all the toxins in the body.
reproduction
Pregnancy of female babakoto lasts about five months. Then one baby is born. The first half of the year, the baby eats only mother's milk. After weaning and living for a couple more months, the young indri becomes independent. Puberty in young animals occurs at the age of seven to nine.
Among the features in the relationship of babakoto, researchers note exceptional fidelity to each other in a pair.
In the tropical zone of the southern hemisphere, where the Indian Ocean begins, the island state of Madagascar is located, separated from southeast Africa by the Mozambique Channel.
This is one of the greatest islands on earth. In terms of size, it is second only to Greenland and New Guinea, and its area is almost 600 thousand km 2. The average width of the island is about 450 km, and the length of the island is almost 1700 km. The island's population is 22.6 million and continues to grow. Most of the inhabitants of Madagascar are the indigenous inhabitants of Malagasy. The island is also inhabited by the French, Indians, Chinese and Arabs. There are two official languages on the island: Malagasy and French. Most of the inhabitants of the island adhere to traditional beliefs, but Christianity is also widespread on the island. They are settled on the island in the local currency ariary, although the usual dollars are also in circulation. The time zone of the island is UTC+3.
Animal world
The animal world of Madagascar is diverse, but in its originality it can only partially be compared with the Australian or African. This is a very special zoogeographical area that can not be found anywhere else. Many scientists suggest that Madagascar is a remnant of the once great mainland, which was located on the territory of the current Indian Ocean. The fauna of the mainland died with him, and only those animals that were on the territory of modern Madagascar survived. If this version is erroneous and Madagascar simply separated from the African continent, then this happened long before the current flora and fauna formed on the territory of Africa. It is according to one of these two versions that there are very few animals in Madagascar that are familiar to Africa. The island has preserved ancient forms of animal life, such as lemurs, insectivores, various types of chameleons.
Lemurs. These animals are also called "half-monkeys". They can only be found in the forests of Madagascar and mostly at night. During the day they sleep in the hollows of trees. At least four species of lemurs are common on the island: the Madagascar common, indie, poppies and aye-aye. All of them are outwardly similar and differ only in body size, tail length, color, habits and sounds that they make.
Of the predators on the island, ubiquitous ferret cats, which have been terrifying local residents for hundreds of years, destroying domestic animals and birds. The animal is famous for its bloodlust. The ferret cat has short legs, and the body is like that of a dog.
A shy animal lives in the mountains and wooded thickets of Madagascar Tenrec, which outwardly resembles a hedgehog, and is as tall as a rabbit. This is a representative of insectivores, which can only be seen in summer, and even then in the evening or at night. In winter, the animal hibernates.
There are many other animals on the island. Separately, one can distinguish a water pig (a large rodent), an African wild boar, as well as a humpbacked zebu bull, which the locals breed for meat. Of the more familiar animals, lions, elephants, and antelopes can be distinguished. Also on the island there are large sea turtles, bats.
Vegetable world
The development of the flora of Madagascar was strongly influenced by the early separation of the island from the African continent. That is why the island has preserved many plants that are difficult to find in other parts of the world.
The central and eastern part of Madagascar is covered with impenetrable tropical forests, in which more than three and a half hundred different trees, shrubs and herbaceous plants grow. The most interesting are black ebony, the wood of which is very expensive, rubber creepers, raffia palms and baobabs. The royal delonix or "fire tree" is considered to be the island's plant symbol. The symbol of travelers and tourists on the island is considered to be the Madagascar Ravenapa or "travel tree".
Kitchen
The main component of Madagascar cuisine is rice. It is cooked in all sorts of ways: boiled, stewed, fried and combined with various fillers: vegetables, fish, meat. Also, local food is simply impossible without various spices and sauces, which are added everywhere, except for sweet dishes. Even on the island, vegetable salads, which are prepared from tomatoes, corn, beans and other vegetables, are very popular.
A huge amount of fruits grows on the island. These are bananas, strawberries, mangoes, persimmons, pineapples, coconuts that are familiar to us, as well as more exotic fruits, such as annona, guava, lychee. Fruits are often used to make fruit salads, drinks, and simply added to main dishes.
Sights of Madagascar
The main attraction of Madagascar is, of course, amazing nature and unusual animals. We list a few places that must be visited by all tourists who went to Madagascar.
Volcano Ankaratra. Thousands of tourists annually visit this volcano, which "fell asleep" several thousand years ago. It is one of the highest in the region, it goes up to 2645 meters. Several centuries ago, robbers hid from justice in it, today, this volcano is one of the attractions of the island.
If you are looking for a real paradise on earth, then Ile Sainte Marie is one of the contenders for this nomination. This is a small island located just 7 kilometers off the east coast of Madagascar. On the island you can find magnificent beaches, comfortable hotels and very beautiful nature. Well, the main entertainment on the island is the observation of humpback whales, which annually appear in the local waters in the summer.
Kirindi forest. This forest is perhaps the most visited tourist destination in Madagascar. This is a great place to see animals that are nocturnal. Unusual species of animals and birds are found in the forest, unique species of trees grow.
Tsingy de Bemaraha Nature Reserve. This reserve is located in the west of the island and was created to protect unusual karst landscapes and rare species of lemurs. Almost the entire reserve looks like one big labyrinth of limestone battlements, which appeared as a result of rains and other natural factors. It is problematic for a person to move around the reserve without special shoes, but lemurs, of which there are thousands, feel at home.
Madagascar is an island with rich and very beautiful nature. The original culture of the indigenous people, delicious cuisine, amazing natural monuments and rare species of animals - this is Madagascar, an island that is easy to fall in love with.
A British photographer has led an epic 20-year foray into one of the world's strangest ecological systems. Nick Garbutt, 46, from Cumbria, has made 25 trips deep into the forests of Madagascar. He has visited the island every year since 1991. Over the course of two decades, Nick has created an unusual collection of photographs of the island's unusual and colorful landscapes. An adult female fossa (Crytoprocta ferox) hunts prey in a forest in Kirindy Park in western Madagascar. 
A male comet moth (Argema mittrei) drying its wings in a thicket in the Mantadia National Park, Madagascar. 
Adult male fossa (Crytoprocta ferox) roams a deciduous forest, western Madagascar. 
The island was cut off from the African mainland 160 million years ago. But the inhabitants of the island developed functions that are not found anywhere else. Many of the animals featured in Nick's photographs can only be found in Madagascar. Verro sifaka (Propithecus verreauxi) skips through open space into spiny forests, southern Madagascar. 
There is concern that a large number of the animals in these photographs could disappear in the next 20 years. Poor local communities are cutting down forests to make way for crops like rice. A huge amount of wood harvested from the destroyed forest is used to produce charcoal. Nick said: “In its original state, Madagascar was 85% forested and now only 8% remains. Even more shocking is that 50% of the forest loss has happened in the last 50 years and I have seen this massive destruction. Since I started coming here since 1991, I don't have high hopes for a revival. ” Male spear-nosed chameleon (Calumma Gallus) in lowland rainforest near Mantadia, eastern Madagascar. 
Although the number of national parks on the island is growing, environmentalists fear that this is not enough to save many of the animals. “When I first visited Madagascar, there were only two national parks,” Nick says. “It has now grown to 20 and they serve as an animal sanctuary where tree cutting is illegal, but in practice this does not always work.” An adult black and white ruffed lemur (Varecia variegata) hangs from a branch in Andasibe-Mantadia National Park, eastern Madagascar. 
“It is inevitable that all national parks will be managed by the people who live on the island, and this still equates to the loss of animals,” he says. “A large number of individuals will simply disappear and there will be no one left in the parks to protect. We need to slow down the rate of destruction and preserve the amazing diversity.” Ring-tailed lemurs (Lemur catta) bask in the sun at dawn, Berenty Private Reserve, southern Madagascar. 
Nick Garbutt with an orphaned ring-tailed lemur near Tsimanampetsotsa National Park in November 2009. 
Nick Garbutt in Ranomafana National Park in May 1991 during his first visit to the island. 
Pygmy stump-tailed chameleon (Brookesia peyrierasi) on a finger in the Nosy Mangabe Nature Reserve, northeast Madagascar. 
A male Giraffa weevil (Trachelophorus Giraffa) in the Vohiparara rainforest, Ranomafana National Park, Madagascar. 
A leaf-tailed gecko (Uroplatus fimbriatus) climbs a tree trunk in Nosy Mangabe Park, northeast Madagascar. 
Nick Garbutt photographs a panther chameleon in Masoala National Park in October 2009. 
Painted mantella frog (Mantella madagascariensis) in Mantadia National Park, eastern Madagascar. 
A male panther chameleon (Furcifer pardalis) searches for prey in vegetation on a peninsula beach in Masoala National Park, northeast Madagascar. 
Amazing bird Helmet Vanga (Euryceros prevostii) near its nest in NP Masoala, northeast Madagascar. 
Male Parsons chameleon (Calumma parsonii) in the rainforest, Masoala National Park, Madagascar. 
Huge baobabs (Adansonia grandidieri) at dusk, near Morondava, western Madagascar. 
A white-lipped tree frog (Boophis albilabris) sits in the rainforests of the Ranomafana National Park, southeast Madagascar. 
On his exciting journeys, Nick also photographed a strange aye-aye. Having an average long finger, he is able to rummage in the bark of a tree like a “fish” in water, looking for larvae and a scoop there.
The amazing plants of the island of Madagascar are no less interesting than its landscapes. The tropical humid climate, the organization of reserves, the regulation of the flow of tourists - all these factors favor the preservation of the nature of Madagascar.
And, although, in the recent past, part of the forests was cut down, the government caught on in time, and now measures to preserve the unique vegetation are giving the first results.
"Traveler Tree" - Madagascar miracle
Ravenala is perhaps the most famous tree of all that grows on the island. It resembles a banana, but, unlike it, has a real trunk. Huge leaves radiate from its top. In those places where the cuttings of large leaves are connected to the trunk, there are special "pockets" that contain up to several liters of cool water.
Thirsty travelers are always happy to meet this amazing tree, which helps them quench their thirst. Such a "living well" among the sultry roads. Therefore, the Madagascar Ravenala was called the "tree of travelers."
Lianas - amazing plants of the island
Wonders of nature are in all corners of the island. Lianas are one of them. These miracle plants grow on the hot ground of several species at once.
Many of them are used by local residents for economic purposes. Ropes, baskets and rugs made from stems are very durable and serve people for a long time.
The liana entada lends its huge pods to the inhabitants of the island for roofing their huts. Why not take advantage of what nature has to offer?
After all, these pods are huge: the length is almost 2 meters, and the width is more than 1.5 meters! If you split 4-5 pods in half, then building a roof out of them will not be difficult!
Liana stephanotis is a plant that has pale white beautiful flowers. Five crown-shaped petals adorn the forests of Madagascar everywhere.
Interesting fact. The creepers of Madagascar are the only plants on the island that are not touched by nimble termites.
The trees of Madagascar "in the service" of man
The evergreen dense forests of the island are home to many trees, the wood of which is used in the manufacture of furniture. Valuable breeds, for example, the majestic rosewood, has expensive raw materials of black, pink, lilac colors.
There are also enough plants that give valuable rubber in these places. The resin of the drip tree provides material for the manufacture of varnish.
Uvirandra - decoration of Madagascar reservoirs
Aponogeton Madagascar or Uvirandra grows in the fresh waters of the island. In the natural environment is under the threat of extinction.
Aquarists around the world use this plant for landscaping aquariums. It is very beautiful.
Tuberous rhizomes are edible. Oblong leaves reach a length of more than half a meter. Leaves in the water are arranged horizontally.
The flower sways in the wind on a long stem (up to 1 meter in length). In the rivers of Madagascar, flowers rise almost 20 cm above the water.
Plants of the island of Madagascar - for the most part - are endemic, that is, they are no longer found anywhere in the world. Acquaintance with the wonderful natural world of Madagascar will enrich the idea of how diverse and unique the plants of our planet are.
Plants of Madagascar island photo
