Malagasy Geography, Madagascar Geography
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Location: Southern Africa, island in the Indian Ocean, east of Mozambique
Geographic coordinates: 20 00 S, 47 00 E
Map references: Africa
Area: Total: 587,040 sq km land: 581,540 sq km water: 5,500 sq km
Area - comparative: Slightly less than twice the size of Arizona
Land boundaries: 0 km
Coastline: 4,828 km
Maritime claims: Territorial sea: 12 nm contiguous zone: 24 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm continental shelf: 200 nm or 100 nm from the 2,500-m deep isobath
Climate: Tropical along coast, temperate inland, arid in south
Terrain: Narrow coastal plain, high plateau and mountains in center
Elevation extremes: Lowest point: Indian Ocean 0 m highest point: Maromokotro 2,876 m
Natural resources: Graphite, chromite, coal, bauxite, salt, quartz, tar sands, semiprecious stones, mica, fish, hydropower
Land use: Arable land: 5.07% permanent crops: 1.03% other: 93.91% (2001)
Irrigated land: 10,900 sq km (2000 est.)
Natural hazards: Periodic cyclones, drought, and locust infestation
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, Wetlands signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements
Geography - note: World's fourth-largest island; strategic location along Mozambique Channel
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The information here has been derived from Public Domain Sources such as the CIA World Factbook. No liability can be taken for any inaccuracies.
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