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Madagascar Facts & Worksheets

Madagascar is an island country belonging to the continent of Africa, located in the Indian Ocean.

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Madagascar is an island country belonging to the continent of Africa, located in the Indian Ocean. It is comprised of the island of Madagascar (the fourth-largest island in the world) and several smaller islands. It is known for being a biodiversity hotspot.

See the fact file below for more information on the Madagascar or alternatively, you can download our 21-page Madagascar worksheet pack to utilise within the classroom or home environment.

Key Facts & Information

HISTORY OF MADAGASCAR

  • It is accepted knowledge that Madagascar was once a part of the ancient supercontinent that contained Africa and India.
  • The island was colonized between 200 BCE and 500 CE.
  • Due to its isolation and late colonization, many endemic plant and animal species have been able to survive and thrive on the island for tens of millions of years; only recently have many of these species become extinct or threatened with extinction.
  • By the Middle Ages, over a dozen ethnic identities existed on the island, and attempted to form kingdoms to unite the communities and increase their wealth and power by trading with European and Arab traders.
  • Between the 16th and 18th centuries, pirates were common on the shores of Madagascar.
  • It was also during this time that Europeans made many unsuccessful attempts to claim and colonize the island.
  • During the 19th century, attempts were made to modernize the island through close communication between the ruling Merina Kingdom and Britain and France.
  • The Franco-Hova Wars were launched by France to overthrow the Medina Kingdom and make Madagascar a French colony.
  • Under French rule, the Malagasy people were forced to work unpaid and unfree labor on plantations, and they were also conscripted to fight in both World Wars for France.
  • In 1960, during the era of decolonization, Madagascar gained their full independence from France.
  • Madagascar’s First Republic was established between 1960 and 1972 and was modeled on the democratic system of France.
  • In 2010, a new constitution was adopted by a referendum in Madagascar which established the Fourth Republic and started the process of repairing years of standoffs, political crisis, and corruption in the country.

GEOGRAPHY AND BIODIVERSITY OF MADAGASCAR

  • Madagascar is a biodiversity hotspot; tens of millions of years of isolation led to the island’s development of a unique geography.
  • The island has been described as an “alternate world” because of how unique it is, and how rare the plants and animals are.
  • Although Madagascar does not have typical African species such as elephants, giraffes, and lions, it does have “older” species such as lemurs, fossa, dugong, the Malagasy giant rat, narrow-striped mongoose, and several species of bat.
  • There are more than 12,000 species of plants, with about 83% of vascular plants found only on Madagascar.
  • Tapia forests, dry forest, succulent woodland, and mangroves are all present.
  • Five entire plant families are endemic on the island, and as many as 96% of Madagascar trees and shrubs are estimated to be endemic as well.
  • The island is much wetter in the east due to its proximity to the Indian Ocean and its discharge of moisture as well as the threat of tropical cyclones and monsoons.
  • Western Madagascar is much drier and cooler.

ECONOMY AND CULTURE OF MADAGASCAR

  • Madagascar’s economy was once heavily influenced by its relationship to France; key products such as rice, coffee, cattle, silk, and palm oil were produced and exported as a result of government initiatives to boost production.
  • Under the Marxist Second Republic, the economy quickly deteriorated and production fell drastically.
  • With help from the IMF and the Millennium Challenge Account, Madagascar’s economy revved back up again, although the island is still a relatively poor country, even in 2018.
  • Madagascar holds several natural resources such as vanilla, cloves, ylang-ylang, coffee, lychees, and shrimp.
  • Madagascar currently supplies half of the world’s supply of sapphires; a result of their rigorous mining sector.
  • Deforestation, slash-and-burn clearing techniques, and the use of firewood as fuel are all concerns for the economy.
  • Madagascar has a youthful population, with only 3% of people aged 65 and older.
  • The official languages of the island are French and Malagasy, and some people also speak English.
  • Ancestral caste affiliation continues to affect social status, economic opportunity, and one’s role within the community; many cultural elements date back to the idea of hasina, a life force rooted in traditional beliefs, practices, and ways of life.

Madagascar Worksheets

This is a fantastic bundle which includes everything you need to know about the Madagascar across 21 in-depth pages. These are ready-to-use Madagascar worksheets that are perfect for teaching students about the Madagascar which is an island country belonging to the continent of Africa, located in the Indian Ocean. It is comprised of the island of Madagascar (the fourth-largest island in the world) and several smaller islands. It is known for being a biodiversity hotspot.

Complete List Of Included Worksheets

  • Madagascar Facts
  • Fighting on the Island
  • The Rotaka
  • Madagascar Wordsearch
  • Extinct Species
  • The Malagasy People
  • Environmental Issues
  • Traditional Culture of Madagascar
  • Map of Madagascar
  • Madagascar Crossword
  • Opinion Piece

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Link will appear as Madagascar Facts & Worksheets: https://kidskonnect.com - KidsKonnect, July 27, 2020

Use With Any Curriculum

These worksheets have been specifically designed for use with any international curriculum. You can use these worksheets as-is, or edit them using Google Slides to make them more specific to your own student ability levels and curriculum standards.

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