FACTS

Location: Southern Africa, island in the Indian Ocean, east of Mozambique

Area (only Total) total: 587,040 sq km

Climate: tropical along coast, temperate inland, arid in south

Terrain: narrow coastal plain, high plateau and mountains in center

Population: 20,042,551 (July 2008 est.)

Main Language (only first): English

Government type: republic

Capital (Name): Antananarivo

Capital (Time Difference): UTC+3

Independence: 26 June 1960 (from France)

National holiday: Independence Day, 26 June (1960)