What every visitor should know about Madagascar:

Money
The currency is the Malagasy ariary (MGA). 1000 MGA is worth about US$0.50, or €0.35.
Crime
CrimeSafe Travel Score™: 3 out of 5 (Average)

Areas of concern:

  • Armed robbery is rare but occurs
  • Banditry on rural roads
Capital
Antananarivo
Tap water
Very dangerous. Water-borne disease is widespread and purification is unreliable. Drink boiled or bottled water only.

Madagascar facts and figures:

People

Population
20,653,556
Language
English (official), French (official), Malagasy (official)
Ethnicity
Malayo-Indonesian (Merina and related Betsileo), Cotiers (mixed African, Malayo-Indonesian, and Arab ancestry - Betsimisaraka, Tsimihety, Antaisaka, Sakalava), French, Indian, Creole, Comoran

Economy

GDP
US$1,100 (per capita)
Income equality
Moderate
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