MADAGASCAR , the 4th largest island in the world, is situated in the Indian Ocean, 500km (300miles) off the coast of Mozambique, and includes several much smaller islands.

The island has a central chain of high mountains, the Haut Plateaux, with the Eastern side being mainly dense rainforests, and the Western side mostly Savannah. The Southern tip of the island is semi-desert.

The capital, Antananarivo, lies in the interior, on the haut Plateaux.

Places of interest include Antseranana, a seaport overlooking a beautiful gulf on the North coast, (with lakes, waterfalls, and grottoes in the nearby rainforests), and the holiday resort of Nossi Be, a small island lying off the Northwest coast. The busy port of Toamasina lies on the Northeast coast.

There are many beach resorts, but probably not for sea-bathing (because of the sharks!!)

A sub-tropical climate, (colder in the mountains), with the rainy season from November to March.