Geography & environment — Madagascar
Location, land area, terrain, climate, and natural resources.
Profile updated 2026-06-02
⚡ Geography & environment at a glance
Location, land area, terrain, climate, and natural resources. Key figure for Madagascar: Africa
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Location & size
- Geographic Location
Africa
- Geographic Coordinates
20 00 S, 47 00 E
- Total Area
226,657 Square Miles 587,041 Square Kilometers
- Land Area
224,533 Square Miles 581,540 Square Kilometers
- Water Area
2,124 Square Miles 5,501 Square Kilometers
- Coastline
3,000 Miles 4,828 Kilometers
Physical geography
- Terrain
narrow coastal plain, high plateau and mountains in center
- Highest Point
2,876 Meters
- Highest Point Location
Maromokotro 2,876 m
- Lowest Point Location
Indian Ocean 0 m
- Natural Resources
graphite, chromite, coal, bauxite, salt, quartz, tar sands, semiprecious stones, mica, fish, hydropower
- Irrigated Land
4,193 Square Miles 10,860 Square Kilometers
Climate & time
- Time Zone
UTC+3 (8 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time)
Climate
- Climate
- Madagascar's geography creates many climatic subdivisions. The coastal climate is hot and tropical, with the east coast receiving the most rainfall (more than 160 inches of rain in Maroantsetra.). This is due to the effect of moisture-laden trade winds off the Indian Ocean as they encounter the steep escarpment of the Madagascar coastline. The east coast is also most affected by the cyclones which periodically hit the island, often causing extensive damage. East coast temperatures reach an average high of 85° in the summer and 72° in the winter. On the west coast, precipitation levels drop off from north to south. There are desert areas of the deep south which receive only 2 inches of rain per year. West coast temperatures are generally several degrees warmer than the east coast temperatures. The central highlands, where the capital Antananarivo is located, have a more temperate climate. There are two primary seasons
- the rainy summer season, which lasts from approximately November through mid-March
- and the dry season, from mid-March through October. In (southern) summer, there are periods of rain almost every day, often in the late afternoon. Cyclones, which can affect the coastal areas, do not reach the highlands, but their influence can cause extended periods of rain. The average daily high temperature in summer is in the mid 80's, with a hot mid-day sun alternating with the periods of rain. Nighttime lows average in the low 60's. The shoulder months of April, May and September, October are very pleasant, with little rain, blue skies, and daytime highs in the 70's. In the (southern) winter months of June-August, the skies are often sunny and daytime highs can reach the mid-to-high 60s. However, there are also chilly days which are overcast and windy with daytime highs in the 50's. Nighttime lows in winter can drop into the 40's in Antananarivo.
- Terrain
narrow coastal plain, high plateau and mountains in center
- Location
Southern Africa, island in the Indian Ocean, east of Mozambique
- Total Area
226,657 Square Miles 587,041 Square Kilometers
Environment
- Environment - Current Issues
soil erosion results from deforestation and overgrazing
desertification
surface water contaminated with raw sewage and other organic wastes
several species of flora and fauna unique to the island are endangered
- Environment - International Agreements
party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Life Conservation, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements