My World Factbook
(Learn more about the new, improved World Factbook)
Note: Most information adapted from the popular World Factbook is distributed between the websites GeoWorld (geography, people, communications & transportation), Politix (government) and Great Depression II (economy).
Geography
Southern Africa, island in the Indian Ocean, east of Mozambique
20 00 S, 47 00 E
Area: 
total: 587,041 sq km
country comparison to the world: 
46
land: 581,540 sq km
water: 5,501 sq km
slightly less than twice the size of Arizona
0 km
4,828 km
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 isobath
Current Weather
tropical along coast, temperate inland, arid in south
narrow coastal plain, high plateau and mountains in center
lowest point: Indian Ocean 0 m
highest point: Maromokotro 2,876 m
graphite, chromite, coal, bauxite, rare earth elements, salt, quartz, tar sands, semiprecious stones, mica, fish, hydropower
arable land: 5.03%
permanent crops: 1.02%
other: 93.95% (2005)
10,860 sq km (2003)
337 cu km (1984)
total: 14.96 cu km/yr (3%/2%/96%)
per capita: 804 cu m/yr (2000)
periodic cyclones; drought; and locust infestation
volcanism: Madagascar’s volcanoes have not erupted in historical times
soil erosion results from deforestation and overgrazing; desertification; surface water contaminated with raw sewage and other organic wastes; several endangered species of flora and fauna unique to the island
party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Life Conservation, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands
signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements
world’s fourth-largest island; strategic location along Mozambique Channel
The Shock Doctrine: The Rise of Disaster Capitalism - 
