Surprisingly, Madagascar is the world’s fourth largest island. Madagascar, which is two hundred miles from the coast of Africa, is located in the Indian Ocean. Only slightly smaller than Texas, Madagascar is 26,660 square miles and mainly composed of a crumbly red soil called laterite. The island can conveniently be divided into three regions; an eastern tropical region, a central plateau, and rolling plains in the west. Flowing eastward, the Mananara, Mangoto, and Maringory are Madagascar’s main rivers. Snow is nonexistent in Madagascar since its lowest temperature is fifty degrees Fahrenheit in July. Where tradewinds blow, rain falls up to one hundred forty-seven inches a year. During December through March, cyclones sometimes rip through Madagascar with violent winds and torrents of rain. This large island is truly an amazing place.
 |  |
| Map of Madagascar | Red Soil |
