Wikijunior:Africa/Madagascar

Madagascar, officially the Republic of Madagascar and previously known as the Malagasy Republic, is an island country in the Indian Ocean, approximately 400 kilometres (250 miles) off the coast of East Africa. At 592,800 square kilometres (228,900 sq mi), Madagascar is the world's second-largest island country. Its capital city is Antananarivo. The main currency is the Malagasy ariary.

Geography
At 592,800 square kilometres (228,900 sq mi), Madagascar is the world's 47th largest country,the 2nd largest island country and the fourth-largest island.

Government
Madagascar is a semi-presidential representative democratic multi-party republic, wherein the popularly elected president is the head of state and selects a prime minister, who recommends candidates to the president to form his cabinet of ministers.

Economy
The main economic resources of Madagascar are tourism, textiles, agriculture, and mining.