Madagascar
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At 587,041 km² (226,657.8 sq mi), Madagascar is the world's 46th-largest country and the fourth largest island. It is slightly larger than [[France]] and it also is one of 11 distinct physiographic provinces of the South African Platform physiographic division. | At 587,041 km² (226,657.8 sq mi), Madagascar is the world's 46th-largest country and the fourth largest island. It is slightly larger than [[France]] and it also is one of 11 distinct physiographic provinces of the South African Platform physiographic division. | ||
| - | General info about cruising/sailing in the area | + | Madagascar's varied fauna and flora are endangered by human activity, as a third of its native vegetation has disappeared since the 1970s, and only 18% remains intact. |
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| + | The eastern, or windward side of the island is home to tropical rainforests, while the western and southern sides, which lie in the rain shadow of the central highlands, are home to tropical dry forests, thorn forests, and deserts and xeric shrublands. Madagascar's dry deciduous rain forest have been preserved generally better than the eastern rainforests or the high central plateau, presumably due to historically low population density and scarce water supplies. | ||
| + | |||
| + | General info about cruising/sailing in the area? | ||
===Climate & Weather=== | ===Climate & Weather=== | ||
Revision as of 15:39, 29 September 2008
Madagascar Cruising Guide
An online cruising guide for sailing around Madagascar.
| Madagascar | |
 Madagascar | |
 Flag | |
| Capital: | Antananarivo |
|---|---|
| Language: | Malagasy, French, English |
| Currency: | Malagasy Ariary |
| More notes about the country | |
Background
Madagascar, or Republic of Madagascar (older name Malagasy Republic), is an island nation in the Indian Ocean off the southeastern coast of Africa. The main island, also called Madagascar, is the fourth-largest island in the world, and is home to 5% of the world's plant and animal species, of which more than 80% are endemic to Madagascar. They include the lemur infraorder of primates, the carnivorous fossa, three bird families and six baobab species.
At 587,041 km² (226,657.8 sq mi), Madagascar is the world's 46th-largest country and the fourth largest island. It is slightly larger than France and it also is one of 11 distinct physiographic provinces of the South African Platform physiographic division.
Madagascar's varied fauna and flora are endangered by human activity, as a third of its native vegetation has disappeared since the 1970s, and only 18% remains intact.
The eastern, or windward side of the island is home to tropical rainforests, while the western and southern sides, which lie in the rain shadow of the central highlands, are home to tropical dry forests, thorn forests, and deserts and xeric shrublands. Madagascar's dry deciduous rain forest have been preserved generally better than the eastern rainforests or the high central plateau, presumably due to historically low population density and scarce water supplies.
General info about cruising/sailing in the area?
Climate & Weather
There are two seasons: a hot, rainy season from November to April, and a cooler, dry season from May to October. South-eastern trade winds predominate, and the island occasionally experiences cyclones.
Sources of weather forecasting here.
Charts
British Admirlty charts that cover Madagascar are: (Some of these charts may now be out of print or have changed numbers)
- B.A 758 (northern approach)
- B.A 3873 (Nosy Be to Iharana)
- B.A 3872 (Nosy Be to Bembatoke)
- B.A 3871 (Bembatoke to Cap St Andre)
- B.A 3868 (Cap Kimby to Cap St Andre)
- B.A 3855 (Cap Kimby to Morombe)
- B.A 760 (south coast of Madagascar)
- B.A 1064 (Plans on the north east coast)
- B.A 1116 (Baie Diego Suarez)
- B.A 1002 (Detail Baie Diego Suarez)
- B.A 2871 (Nosy Be southern anchorages)
- B.A 706 (Ile De Mitsio)
- B.A 704 (Moramba)
- B.A 701 (Baie de Bembatoke)
- B.A 2461 (Plans in the north west islands)
- B.A 692 (Tulear)
Hell-ville (Nosy Be)
Care should be taken on the approach to the western side of Nosy Be as there are many coral heads. Anchorage will be found on the east side of Hell-ville or in Crater Bay. Anchor in 10 - 15 meters - the bottom is mud and good holding. (The tidal range is 1.3 meters)
Local Radio Nets
Also see World Cruiser's Nets
Submit details of Cruiser's Nets and VHF operating/calling channels here.
Arrival/Departure procedures
Initial entry into Madagascar must be made at a point of entry which are:
- Diego Suarez in the north
- Hell-ville on Nosy Be
- Majunga
- Toliara (Tulear).
Nosy Be is probably the best port to arrive at if arriving from the north, and if possible, to have a prior Madagascan visa before arriving. However, a visa can be aquired at Nosy Be. On clearing customs and immigration, have plenty copies of boat and crew papers. One must leave your ships papers, or a copy at both customs and immigration as well as the harbour, although the situation may vary from place to place and time to time.
Immigration, Visas & Customs
Immigration
Details
Customs
Details
Health
Submit any health warnings/information
Security
Details
Ports & Popular Stops
- Diego Suarez (Antseranana) (Port of entry)
- Hell-ville (on Nosy Be) (Port of entry)
- Majunga (Port of entry)
- Toliara (Tulear) (Port of entry)
- Toamasina (Port of entry)
- Taolanaro (formerly Port Dauphin)
- St Marie (Nosy Boraha) (Port of entry)
Offshore Islands
Also see the Mozambique Channel
- Nosy Be
- Nosy Boraha (St Marie)
Cruiser's Friends
Submit details/contacts of cruiser's "friends" that can be contacted in advance or on arrival - who can offer information and assistance to our cruising "family".
References & Publications
Books, Guides, etc.
Links to CruiserLog Forum discussions
Links to discussions on the CruiserLog Forum
External Links
Submit useful website links for the region
Personal Notes
Personal experiences?
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| | HOMEPAGE | WIKI CONTENTS | Indian Ocean | Madagascar | |
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