Madagascar, the land of open opportunity and breathtaking scenery, has mostly untouched land and tons of chances for you. The land stretches to over 220,000 square miles that provide a variety of landscapes, water features, and grass zones for you to enjoy. The main geographical features are divided into five areas, the Tsaratanana Massif, west coast, central highlands, southwest, and the east coast. With so much difference in one continent, it is likely for you to move from a desert dry area, to a windy grass plain and finally end up at a thick forest. This provides a variety of wildlife, and many outstanding sights. Madagascar, above all countries, provides more variety in a small area than you ever could imagine.
Madagascar’s water features provide a diverse and calm setting. Many rivers start in the central and northern regions and end up toward the east coast, draining into the Indian Ocean. Since the high elevation compared to the east coast, many of these rivers flow quickly and some over waterfalls. The rivers that end in the west flow more gradually and end in the Mozambique Channel. Lake Alaotra in the north is the largest lake in Madagascar and is home to many rare species. Overall the quality and beauty of the lakes and rivers of Madagascar add greatly to the experience of the island.
The central highlands of Madagascar are one of the most prominent features of the country. Rolling hills, marshes, and rice fields dominate the landscape while providing beauty and elegance to the surrounding countryside. The central highland differentiates itself from the east coast due to its higher elevation, which falls off into the east coast. While in the west coast the highlands fall slowly and softly. The central highlands are home to the capital of Madagascar, Antananarivo. Being the highest region in the Madagascar, the high plains or plateau, has many rocky areas and volcanic formations. The highest point in the area tops out around 8,300 feet and multiple hills reside in the central plains.
The Tsaratanana Massif in the north contains the highest point in Madagascar at around 9,400 feet. More prominent features are the natural harbor of Antsiranana and the former volcano Montagne d’Ambre. This differs from the west coast which is more curved compared the straight-line coast of the east. The curvature makes for harbors and bays in the areas. Some of these areas are still vacant and are believed to have massive agricultural upside to them.
Finally, the east coast region of Madagascar is much lower than the central heights and steep bluffs connect the two regions. The coastline of the east coast is a straight-line with a small bay in the north. The dense forest of the Masoala National Park juts out to form a peninsula. The beach falls into the ocean and many dangers sharks and sea life can be seen from the coast.
The climate of Madagascar has multiple regions. Desert like conditions are prominent in the southern region. The coastal areas are tropical and the inland is temperate. Trade winds rising from the east bring the most rain, while the west does not receive these winds. There are two seasons in Madagascar, the wet season and the dry season, both run for about half the year.
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