These 3 Madagascar Facts Reveal How Fascinating the Island Truly is

Avenue of the Baobabs, Menabe, Madagascar
The Avenue of the Baobabs, Menabe, Madagascar. Photo by Theme Inn on Unsplash

Located in East Africa, Madagascar is a biodiverse island country that’s been increasingly popular among travelers. There are many reasons to visit this island, from local food to unique wildlife, and here are some facts about the island that show just how amazing it is.

Huge Size

Madagascar is the fourth largest island on the planet, right after Greenland, New Guinea, and Borneo. It’s also larger than many countries like Thailand, Spain, and Germany. Its population is bigger than you might expect—around 26 million people live in Madagascar.

Late Discovery

Madagascar was discovered around 500 AD, hundreds of thousands of years after homo sapiens have been living in Africa. 

Diverse Nature

Madagascar belongs to a list of 17 countries with megadiverse nature. It’s amazing how many different species live here and it’s mostly because humankind didn’t discover the island sooner. Over half of all the chameleons in the world live there, as well as several unique species of lemur.

Pirate Favorite

Madagascar was very popular as a hiding spot among pirates once. It was relatively hidden from Europe and had many places just perfect for hiding. One part of it was known as the Island of Pirates for a long time.