English (official), French (official), Malagasy (official)
French (official); note - each ethnic group has its own language
Exports
External Debt
Exchange Rate
Military Budget as percentage of GDP
Beijing Olympics Medal Count
Location
Southern Africa, island in the Indian Ocean, east of Mozambique
Western Africa, bordering the North Atlantic Ocean, between Guinea-Bissau and Sierra Leone
Area
587,041 km sq
245,857 km sq
Coastline
4,828 km
320 km
Climate
tropical along coast, temperate inland, arid in south
generally hot and humid; monsoonal-type rainy season (June to November) with southwesterly winds; dry season (December to May) with northeasterly harmattan winds