Madagascar! By:

Hannah Smaby

Elizabeth Porath

Marinna Phillips

Brooklyn Beers

Helayna Nerby

http://www.theodora.com/flags/new6/madagascar.gif

The history and geography of

Madagascar!

Have you ever thought about the history

and geography of Madagascar? You will,

because I am going to tell you about it!

Madagascar has regions. You will also learn

about the size and location. The history of

Madagascar is another thing. Madagascar is a

beautiful interesting country, and you are

about to learn about it!

http://images.nationalgeographic.com/wpf/media-live/photos/000/084/cache/nosy-be-island-

madagascar_8403_600x450.jpg

Did you know Madagascar has a high

population, and five regions? Well, the first

region is the east coast, having a narrow band

of lowlands. The next is Tsaratanana Massif. In

elevation, it is Madagascar’s highest region.

Thirdly, is a central highland. This region has a

wide variety of topographies. (For example,

extinct volcanoes and eroded hills.) The west

coast has many fine harbors, and fisherman.

The fifth is the southwest, being plateaus and

deserts. Madagascar has a very wide variety of

land types.

http://wikitravel.org/upload/shared//thumb/7/78/Madagascar_Regions_map.png/400px-

Madagascar_Regions_map.png

Now, you’re probably wondering about its

size and location. No worries, I will tell you. Did

you know Madagascar is the fourth largest

island in the whole, wide, world? It’s located off

the coast of Africa, in the Indian Ocean.

Madagascar’s coastline is 4,828 miles long! So,

Madagascar has an interesting location, and a

large size, but it’s very cool!

http://www.mcd.org/MCDI/images/madagascar.jpg

Wondering about the history of Madagascar? Okay, I guess

I will tell you! Madagascar was owned by France until 1960. It is

believed that the first Malagasy people came from Indonesia.

Madagascar’s languages are French and Malagasy. Its capital is

Antananarivo. Madagascar has such a different history!

http://www.afropop.org/img/world_music/african_music/sa/m/madagascar_map.gif

In conclusion Madagascar has 5 regions,

Tsaratanana Massif, east coast, central

highlands, west coast, and southwest. It has an

interesting history, including being owned by

France. Also, Madagascar has an interesting

size and location. It is the fourth largest island

in the world. Madagascar is beautiful and full of

facts!!

http://www.africa.com/admin/ckeditor/ckfinder/userfiles/images/Baobab_Trees_Madagascar_

Africa.jpeg

Madagascar Religion

Have you ever wondered about the religion

in Madagascar? Madagascar has a ton of

different religions. You will be learning about

the tombs and souls. Then you will be learning

about how the tombs were made and the post

around the tombs. That’s what you’re going to

learn about Madagascar!!!

http://flatrock.org.nz/static/frontpage/assets/older_and_under/madagascar_funeral.jpg

Madagascar has a ton of different religions.

Did you know 55 percent of the population

abides are by the traditional beliefs? Well

40 percent are Christians. Also 5 percent of

the populations are Muslims. Betsileo and

Merina are the two main ethnic groups in

Madagascar.

http://www.bestcountryreports.com/media/report_covers/Madagascar_religion.png

You will be learning about the tombs in

Madagascar. The tombs of the various peoples

around the island differ somewhat in form. A

number of different souls are recognized by the

Malagasy. The ambiroa is believed to permeate

the tomb building, family household, and hills

and valleys. Christianity was introduced to the

Malagasy in the early 19th century.

https://sahajapower.wordpress.com/tag/madagascar/

Then you will be learning about how the

tombs were made and the post around the

tombs. Religious beliefs are at the heart of

Malagasy culture. Traditionally, the tombs of

the Malagasy were also stone; by nowadays

they are often made of concrete with glass

windows. Traditionally religious practices exist

side by side with religions that came to the

island from outside. Standing as tall as 20 feet,

each post is carved with the life story of the

person buried in the tomb.

http://voyagesextraordinaires.blogspot.com

Finally, you will be learning about

Madagascar’s New Testament and the

population. Madagascar religion is ruled by

certain traditional beliefs. There is a small

number of Hindus among the Indian

population. By 1830, 3,000 copies of the New

Testament have been printed. Thank you for

listening about Madagascar’s religion.

http://www.nationmaster.com/country/ma-madagascar/rel-religion

Madagascar’s Agriculture!

Have you ever thought about the

agriculture in Madagascar? If you read on, you

will learn all about Madagascar’s amazing

agriculture. First, Madagascar people grow lots

of crops and herd a lot of cattle. Next, the

amazing steps of growing rice. Finally,

Madagascar’s fishing is growing in importance

and shows considerable promise. Madagascar

has an amazing agriculture! If you read on, you

will learn all of the amazing facts about their

agriculture and how amazing it is!

http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_ldFi3ipcRsU/S5K5p4Rla3I/AAAAAAAACyQ/bI3iDnaEyHQ/Rice+Rows

+in+Madagascar.jpg

Madagascar people grow a lot of different

crops and herd a lot of cattle. Nearly all people

grow rice, and the rice is grown on ever

available inch of land! Also, cash crops include

coffee, sugarcane, vanilla cloves, and sisal rare

grown on the island of Madagascar. Plus

pepper and lima beans are important and

demanded by foreign ports. Did you know that

in an average year in Madagascar, well over

50,000 tons of coffee is shipped to foreign

ports? Finally, the people of Madagascar raise a

lot of cattle because it is a measure of wealth. I

could not believe some of those facts when I

saw them! It is amazing how much crops they

grow and how much of each crop they sell too!

http://ces.williams.edu/files/2011/11/Cattle-herder-cutting-samata.jpg

The process of growing rice is amazing! I

can’t believe the Malagasy put so much time

into it! Did you know that that the whole rice-

growing process takes 120-150 days every year!

The rice is grown in marshy areas, irrigated

fields, and on dry land. When you grow rice,

you first have to prepare the field, plant the

rice, replant the rice, and finally harvest the

rice. That’s definitely a lot of work! Growing,

harvesting, and the rest of the process are just

so cool!

http://farmlandgrab.org/wp-content/uploads/2010/06/340px-

Planting_paddy_rice_in_Laos.jpg

In Madagascar, fishing is growing in

importance, and shows considerable promise.

Shrimp farming is also taking off just like

regular fishing. Also Prawn and Tuna exports in

particular, are valuable export earnings. Finally,

other sea food that is taking off is Tilapia, Black

Bass, Trout, and Lobster. I never knew that

Madagascar did so much fishing and does so

well with it.

http://photos.mongabay.com/j/madagascar.fishing.41098.jpg

Madagascar is a country that has an

amazing agriculture! I mean the Malagasy

growing all of the different kinds of crops and

herding all of the cattle. Also the process of

growing rice is really cool. Finally, in

Madagascar, fishing is growing in importance

and is showing considerable promise.

Madagascar is an extremely amazing

agricultural country. I hope you think it’s as

amazing as I do!

http://www.amadeusvanillabeans.com/pictures/images/map-madagascar-

agricultural.jpg

Madagascar Food

Have you ever tasted Madagascar food? If

you have or haven’t you will learn some of the

many kinds of food they have. You will learn

how they eat their food and where they eat it.

What their dish will look like. The last thing you

will learn about is what they eat. I hope you will

enjoy Madagascar.

http://www.google.com/imgres?q=madagascar&hl=en&safe=active&biw=1280&bih=827

How do the Malagasy’s eat their food?

When the Malagasy’s eat their food they place

mats on the floor and eat their food down

there. They don’t do that all the time. They only

do that sometimes. They eat Ramazava a lot

after working hard or walking. Every once in a

while Malagasy will go to a restaurant for a

special occasion.

http://cache.virtualtourist.com/4/3308547-A_zebu_romazava_home_Madagascar.jpg

Malagasy’s eat different than us. When

they eat they only eat with large spoons. They

don’t use forks or knives. The plates are only

solid colors, no designs. When they have dinner

they place a napkin on a white service plate and

top each napkin with a bright flower.

http://www.espressoplanet.com/images/P/cappspoon.gif

The last few facts you will learn about

Madagascar is what they eat. Malagasy’s eat

rice a lot! They have it with every meal. If you

want to eat pork there you can but only in

certain spots of Madagascar because in most

parts it is taboo. They eat brettes, cassava, and

ones that can afford it eat meat or fish in there

rice. They eat some different foods that we

don’t eat.

http://imagesus.homeaway.com/mda01/173ca3fa17aca2f6d5586cc7c594fa95abd8d759

Madagascar is an amazing place. (Island)

How the Malagasy’s eat. Where they eat is also

important. What their dish will look like. What

they eat. If you ever get the chance to go there

you should try all the different kinds of food

and more!

http://trip-advisor.ws/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/places-to-visit-in-madagascar.jpg

Madagascar animals!

Madagascar has been called many names

but, one in particular is “The land of living

fossils”. It got its name from all the unusual

plants and animals that live there. First you will

learn about the Ring-tailed lemur and its

weight, height, diet, and life span. Second, the

Indri lemur and its weight, height, diet, and life

span. And last the Red-ruffed lemur and its

weight, height, diet, and life span. So if you

would like to learn more about Madagascar and

its crazy critters, keep reading!

http://www.destination360.com/africa/madagascar/wildlife

Did you know the Ring-tailed lemur is the

most distinct lemur? That’s because of the rings

on its tail and also the length of their tail. Ring-

tailed lemurs are primates only found in the

Madagascar and its surrounding islands. This

animal feeds on fruit, leaves, flowers, bark, and

tree sap. The Ring-tailed lemur usually lives up

to 18 years in the wild, and normally weigh’s 5

to 7.5 pounds. In conclusion, Madagascar is the

only and most populated island with lemur life.

http://www.animalfactguide.com/animalfacts/ring-tailed-lemur/

The Indri lemur is the largest living lemur

known to Madagascar and to the world. The

Indri lemur is also called the “Babakoto” in

many regions. This large lemur feeds on fruit,

leaves, and flowers of trees. It eats up to 1.5 kg

per day. This animal can live up to be about 30

years old, and weigh’s up to 8-12 kg (17 Ibs – 28

Ibs), it can also grow to be 75-90 cm long (adult

size). So that being said, that the Indri lemur is

the largest lemur in the world wouldn’t, you

like to be the tallest kid in the world?

http://travel.mongabay.com/madagascar/images/madagascar_0669a.html

The Red- ruffed lemur lives in deciduous

tropical forests, off the Masoala peninsula in

northeast Madagascar. They feed on fruit,

leaves, nectar, and seeds. Their life span is 15-

20 years in the wild and 19 in captivity. The

height of this animal is 110-112 cm, and can

weigh up to 7-10 pounds. In conclusion these

unique creatures are the largest of the

Lemuridae family.

http://nationalzoo.si.edu/Animals/PhotoGallery/SmallMammals/2.cfmhttp://nationalzoo.si.ed

u/Animals/PhotoGallery/SmallMammals/2.cfm

So we covered a lot of ground today on

lemurs so let review. First on our list we had

Ring-tailed lemurs and their diet, weight,

height, and life span. Second, the Indri lemur

and its diet, weight, height, and life span. And

lastly Red-ruffed lemur and their diet, weight,

height, and life span. So if you’re interested in

lemurs, high tail it out to Madagascar, and see

what the lemurs have to say t o you.

http://www.top-adventure-tours.com/image-files/streaked-tenrec.jpg

Bibliography! Works Cited

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<http://www.world-food-and-wine.com/food>.

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2012. <http://www.junglewalk.com>.

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<http://www.madagascar-library.com/r/609.html>.

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