What are Some Species Endemic to Madagascar?

Madagascar is located on the southeast coast of the African continent. It is the fourth largest island in the world after Greenland, New Guinea (also known as Irian) and Kalimantan. It faces the African continent across the Strait of Mozambique. For 386 kilometers.

The entire island of Madagascar is made up of volcanic rocks. The central part averages 800-1500 meters above sea level and is often called the central plateau. The main peak of the Chalatanana Mountain, Marumukutlu, is located in the northern part of the plateau with an altitude of 2876 meters, which is the highest point in the country. Located on the central plateau, Lake Alautra is the largest lake in Madagascar. To the east are strip lowlands, sandy dunes and lagoons. The west is a gently sloping plain, which gradually descends from the 500-meter plateau to the coastal plain. There are 4 more rivers in Bezibka, Ziribishna, Manguki and Manguru. Humans first migrated here from Asia and Africa more than 2000 years ago, and since then have profoundly affected here. ^[1]

The entire island of Madagascar is located almost in the tropics and is climatically affected by the wind system and altitude. The southeast coast has a tropical rain forest climate. It is humid and hot all year round, and the seasonal changes are not obvious. The annual average temperature is 24 ° C and the annual rainfall is 2000-3000 mm. There are lush tropical plants and forests. The central part has a tropical plateau climate, mild and cool, and fertile land. The west has a savanna climate, and the southwest is the hottest semi-desert region on the island, with an average annual temperature of 26.6 ° C. Madagascar is the fourth largest island in the world. Most of the island is located in the tropics, and the Tropic of Cancer passes through the south of the island. The climate is subject to southeast trade winds and terrain. The eastern coast and the eastern slope of the plateau are affected by the southeast trade wind all year round, with high temperature and rain, and the annual rainfall generally exceeds 2,500 mm, and the seasons are evenly distributed to form a tropical rain forest landscape. The western part of the island is rainy and the rainfall is less, and the northern part can reach 1000 Many millimeters, gradually decreasing to about 400 millimeters to the south, divided into dry and wet seasons, the dry season grows from north to south, the natural vegetation is mainly savanna or sparse forest, and a small semi-desert can be seen in the southwest; the middle of the plateau The terrain is high (average 1200-1400 meters), the average monthly temperature does not exceed 20 ° C, and the annual precipitation is 1000-1800 mm. Short grass is the main vegetation, and the proportion of forest is not large. ^[2]

It faces the African continent across the Strait of Mozambique; the coastline is 3991 kilometers long. The whole island is made up of volcanic rocks. The central plateau is 800-1500 meters above sea level, and Marumukutlu, the main peak in the northern part of Chalatanana, is 2876 meters above sea level, the highest point in the country. The plateau slopes to the east and west and gradually descends to the coastal plain. The rivers inside and outside the country flow into the Indian Ocean and the Mozambique Strait.

Madagascar Island (hereinafter referred to as Ma Island) was originally a part of the African continent. Its geological structure is similar to that of the African continent. The base of the island is composed of ancient crystalline rocks. Two-thirds of the base is exposed on the surface, forming a plateau that runs through the island. The plateau lies east of the island, and the terrain of the island is asymmetric. Hills, volcanoes, and basins on the plateau are intricately distributed; the eastern edge of the plateau is a large fault, which makes the east slope steep and the coastal plain narrow (16-80 kilometers wide); the western slope of the plateau is slower and gradually descends in a step-like fashion. It is 100-200 kilometers wide and consists of Mesozoic and Cenozoic sedimentary rocks covering ancient crystalline rocks. The vast grassland on the island provides favorable conditions for the development of animal husbandry. Cattle farming is the main sector of animal husbandry, and the number of cattle exceeds the population of the island. Therefore, Ma Island is also known as "cow island". ^[1]

Rich in natural resources. Graphite reserves rank first in Africa, as well as mica, uranium, lead, precious stones, quartz, gold, silver, copper, nickel, bauxite, chromium, coal, and so on. The rivers are turbulent and there is great potential for hydropower. The forest area is 14.7 million hectares. Food crops include rice, cassava, and corn, and rice is close to self-sufficiency. The main cash crops are coffee, cloves, sisal, sugar cane, peanuts, cotton, etc., and its vanilla (Hua Nila) production and export rank first in the world. Madagascar has abundant tourism resources but insufficient service facilities. The government is focusing on development and encourages foreign investment. Tourists are mainly from Western Europe. ^[3]

The recorded history of Madagascar began in the 7th century. The ancestors of the residents were Borneo from Indonesia. They first traveled from Indonesia to India and then from India to East Africa.

From the 1st to the 10th century, Indonesians successively moved to the island and combined with the locals to form the Malagasy.

In the 14th century, national organizations appeared on the central and southeast coasts.

In the 16th century, the Melinas established the kingdom of Imelina in the middle.

It developed into a centralized and feudal country in 1794, unified the whole island in the early 19th century, and established the Kingdom of Madagascar.

The main political parties are: Lazarama Survival Cartel, National Development and Democracy Coalition, Madagascar Revolutionary Pioneer Party, Madagascar Independent Congress Party, National Movement for Independence of Madagascar, National People's Leap Forward Party, Madagascar Development Party and Madagascar Revival and Independence Assembly party and so on. The first President of Madagascar was Philibert Tsiranana of the Social Democratic Party. He was re-elected in March 1972. But just two months later, he had to resign from the presidency in the face of powerful anti-government demonstrations. Due to the ongoing turmoil, Ziranana's successor Gabriel Ramanantsoa resigned on February 5, 1975, handing over real power to Richard Lazi, who was stabbed six days later Mandela (RichardRatsimandrava). Subsequently, an interim military commission took over the situation until Didier Ratsiraka formed a new government in 1975. During the 16 years of Laziraka's rule, Madagascar established a highly centralized state based on the 1975 Constitution, and constantly sought to establish a revolutionary socialist system. During this period, strategies such as the nationalization of private enterprises, the centralization of the economy, and the weakening of the education system have been implemented, leaving today's Madagascar a highly concentrated economy and a large number of illiterates. The presidential elections of 1982 and 1989 gave Laziraka a second and third seven-year term. For most of this period, only limited and constrained opponents existed, and the media were not allowed to make direct critical comments without the permission of the president.

Since the late 1980s, society has pursued a relaxed atmosphere of political expression, which has brought tremendous pressure on the Laziraka regime and demanded fundamental reforms. In order to change the deteriorating economic situation, Laziraka relaxed the socialist economic policy and began reforms of a free economy and privatization. These economic reforms, along with the news censorship system abolished in 1989 and the emergence of a large number of political parties in 1990, have failed to appease growing opposition movements such as HeryVelona. A number of existing parties and their leaders, including Albert Zafy and La Kutuni Aina Manandafi, have stabilized these particularly serious demonstrations in Antananarivo and surrounding areas .

In response to a large number of peaceful demonstrations and quell the general strike, Laziraka replaced his prime minister in August 1991. But when his army opened fire on peaceful demonstrations at the presidential residence near Iavoloha and killed more than 30 people, the situation became out of control.

With his status steadily weakening, Laziraka agreed to hold negotiations on the formation of a temporary transitional government. The "PanoramaConvention" held on October 31, 1991 deprived Lazirana of almost all power and established an interim government, transitioning to a new constitutional government in 18 months. At that time, the High Court was retained as the final arbiter of the entire process.

In March 1992, a new Constitution was drafted by the widely representative National Forum.

Economic services are the backbone of Madagascar's economy, followed by agriculture and industry. Gross national product in 1993 was RM 6.95 trillion (calculated at Madagascar franc market prices). Currency unit: Madagascar franc (referred to as Malaysian dollar), exchange rate is 2735 ringgits to 1 US dollar (June 1994).

Madagascar is one of the least developed countries in the world. Its national economy is dominated by agriculture and its industrial base is weak. The agricultural population accounts for more than 80% of the total population of the country, and 70% of export income comes from agriculture. The land is fertile and the climate is suitable for the growth of various tropical and temperate grains and cash crops. The crops grown are mainly rice, cassava, sweet potato and corn. Madagascar is rich in minerals, of which graphite reserves rank first in Africa. Madagascar is rich in tourism resources. Since the 1990s, the Madagascar government has listed tourism as a key development industry and encouraged foreign investors to invest in tourism.

The traffic is underdeveloped. The total length of the railway is 883 kilometers, and the total length of the highway is nearly 50,000 kilometers. The inland waterway is 3,500 kilometers, but only uses 400 kilometers. There are 18 seaports, 90% of which are concentrated in the eastern port of Tuamasina (Tamatave). Air Madagascar has regular flights to Europe, Africa and the island states of the Southwest Indian Ocean. There are 57 airports in the country, but only the capital Ivatu Airport is a large international airport. Fiscal deficit for successive years. Foreign trade occupies a more important position in the economy, and a policy of trade import and export liberalization is implemented; exports are encouraged to diversify, and exports have increased. The main imported commodities are petroleum, vehicles, machinery and equipment, pharmaceuticals, daily necessities and food, etc .; the main export commodities are coffee, cloves, Hua Nila (a flavor raw material), fish, graphite, chromium, etc. The main trading targets are France (accounting for 30% of the total), the United States, Japan, Germany, Russia, Middle Eastern oil-producing countries, and Southeast Asian and Indian Ocean island states. Since economic liberalization, foreign investment has increased year by year. ^[1]

Implement five-year compulsory education. French is used in urban areas, and Ma language is used in most primary and secondary schools in rural areas. Since 1978, formal education is divided into: five years of basic (primary) education, four years of ordinary junior high school education, three years of high school education, and higher education.

In 2004, the literacy rate of the population over the age of 15 was 59.2%, of which 78% were urban and 53.2% rural. The enrollment rate of school-age children is 82%, but only 33% have completed primary school, 15% have entered secondary school, and 6% have entered high school. There are 18977 primary schools in Ma, including 14,637 public primary schools and 4,340 private primary schools; 1,596 junior high schools, including 801 public and 795 private schools; 336 high schools, including 108 public and 228 private schools. In the 2002/2003 school year, there were 2,856,480 primary school students, 356,973 middle school students, and 79,238 high school students. There are 59,774 primary school teachers, 18,641 junior high school teachers, and 6510 high school teachers.

There are 6 comprehensive universities in Malaysia, with a total of 28,900 college students and more than 900 teachers, of which the University of Antananarivo is the largest with 18,500 students and 618 teachers.

The main newspapers are: Madagascar Afternoon (Daily, French, 35,000 copies), Tribune (Daily, 15,000 copies, Malaysia, French), Express (Daily, French), and so on.

The National News Agency is the National News Agency. The National Radio of Madagascar was established in April 1931. There are two programs. The first program is in Malay and the second program is in French and English. It broadcasts 24 hours a day.

There are 13 TV stations across the country. The Madagascar National Television was established in 1967 and broadcasts about 9 hours a day in Malay and French (15 hours on weekends).

Foreign relations pursue a pragmatic and flexible all-round and pragmatic foreign policy, advocating the development of friendly relations with countries around the world based on the principles of respect for sovereignty, non-interference in internal affairs and mutual trust; stressing that diplomacy serves economic development and seeks for diversification of partners. Endorses the continued strengthening of the solidarity and strength of the Non-Aligned Movement; agrees to reform the UN agencies and advocates that the Security Council be expanded in accordance with the principle of equitable geographical distribution; pays attention to participating in African continent affairs, and calls on African countries to strengthen solidarity and cooperation and rely on their own strength to resolve African issues; actively participate in And promote peace and cooperation in the Southwest Indian Ocean.

[Relationship with China] On November 6, 1972, Madagascar established diplomatic relations with China. The friendly relations between China and Malaysia have developed steadily, high-level leaders exchange and exchange visits frequently, and the two sides have continuously strengthened cooperation in the fields of education, agriculture, communications, and manufacturing. In May 2004, President Lavalomanana paid a state visit to China. In November 2008, Chairman Wu Bangguo paid an official friendly visit to Madagascar. In 2007, the bilateral trade volume between China and Malaysia was US $ 358 million.

Madagascar houses are very different from those on the African continent, but are very similar to those of people of all ethnic groups in Southeast Asia. The architecture of modern cities has inherited the traditional form of construction in many ways, with high foundations and high and pointed roofs. In Madagascar, there is a special, almost fanatical worship of cattle. Cow as a symbol of wealth. The bull head is a symbol of the country. Cows are baptized like children, and they cannot be forced to work one day of the week. Most of the tribes of Madagascar live on agriculture. Rice is the main food. When rice is cooked, it is usually eaten with vegetables, fish, sheep, poultry, or wild poultry, and it is also sprinkled with many peppers and flavors. They also like to eat sweet potatoes and cassava, and to drink yogurt. Madagascar respects the elderly, and in many social institutions, the managers are mostly elderly people. They believe that the older a person is, the deeper he is, and the more intelligent he is. People are very friendly to foreign friends, and the popular handshake ceremony is popular. On the roads in Madagascar, if a car meets a herd, the car must give way to the herd. "You must not harm cattle for no reason" is the tenet of everyone in the country.

Most formal restaurants specialise in French and Chinese cuisine, but there are also Indian, Vietnamese and Italian dishes. The local beer is THBorTroisChevaux, and the wine is made near Fianarantsoa. Famous local beverages are rum made from rice and sucrose, locally known as Toakagasy, and fermented sugar cane juice Besta-besta, coconut wine (Trembo) and litchel.

Antananarivo (Capital of Madagascar)

Toamasina

Diégo Suarez, Antsiranana

Antalaha

Tamatave

Mananjary

Manakara

Fort Dauphin

Cape St. Mary (CapeSteMarie)

Tuléar

Fianarantsoa

Morondava

Antsirabe

Marovoay

Majunga

There are more than 200,000 species of animals and plants on the island, including fossa, small carnivores and about 35 species of lemurs, which are not found elsewhere on the planet. Due to forest restrictions in Madagascar, fossa is the largest beast on the island. Here also

lemur

The lush rain forest coexists with the scorching plains, and even the tree crowns here are like the roots of trees reaching into the sky. It is full of strange, spiny plants and many cold stalagmites. Here is a museum that displays the incredible diversity of life. ^[2]

Here are nine of the most representative flora and fauna:

1.Lemur

These small animals range in height from 28 to 50 cm and are endemic to Madagascar. There are no lemurs in other countries.

Long-necked weevil

2. Long-necked weevil

This insect's neck is very long, and it was formed to adapt to nest building. Scientists have only found male long-necked weevil. The total length of their bodies is less than 3 cm

3. Vickers crowned lemur

The body of this primate is tall enough to adapt to jungle life. The only way they move on land is by jumping.

Vickers crown lemur

4.Baobab

It is the national tree of Madagascar with a trunk diameter of up to 11 meters. Since this rare plant has no annual rings, it is difficult to determine their age. But recent research shows that baobabs have lived on Earth for 4 million years.

5. Leopard print chameleon

It is an indisputable fact that these tropical reptiles can change colors, but they cannot show all colors. Each leopard chameleon is inherently given a range of colors, and these colors change according to temperature and sunlight. In addition, only males emit bright colors, while females are brown and brown.

Baobab

6. Moon Moth

It is a comet moth, the largest moth in the world, with a male wingspan of nearly 8 inches.

7.Octopus Tree

This plant belongs to the Dragon family, and there are only 4 genera and 11 families in the Dragon family.

8. Weevil

Almost all of the 1300 species of weevil known to be on Madagascar are regional animals here,

Weevil

Including hairy andronomay farut and the long-necked weevils mentioned above.

9. Agonoka Tortoise

This is the rarest tortoise in the world. The number of such beautiful animals is gradually decreasing on the island of Madagascar. In order to promote grass growth so that their cattle can eat good food, local farmers set fire to burn the grass, resulting in damage to the living environment of the Aganoca turtle.