Madagascar
Republic of Madagascar
People: Malagasy
Madagascar is located in Eastern Africa and has a population of around 31.7 million. Its capital city is Antananarivo, and the most widely spoken official language is French. As an island nation, Madagascar has no land borders.
By the numbers, Madagascar is the 49th most populous of the 196 countries covered on this site, home to 0.40% of the world's population. By land area it ranks 45th out of 196, with a population density of roughly 54 people per km².
Facts last checked 31 August 2026.
Madagascar — key facts at a glance
| Official Name | Republic of Madagascar |
|---|---|
| Capital City | Antananarivo |
| Continent | Africa |
| Region | Eastern Africa |
| Population | 31,727,042 |
| Area | 587,041 km² |
| Currency | Malagasy ariary (MGA) Ar |
| Official Languages | French, Malagasy |
| Dialling Code | +261 |
| Internet TLD | .mg |
| Timezone | UTC+03:00 |
| Drives on the | Right side |
| Emergency Number | 112 (works on most mobile networks worldwide) |
| ISO Code | MG / MDG |
| Borders | Island nation / no land borders |
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Getting to and around Madagascar
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Frequently Asked Questions about Madagascar
What is the capital and currency of Madagascar?
The capital of Madagascar is Antananarivo and the currency is the Malagasy ariary (MGA), symbol Ar.
What is the capital of Madagascar?
The capital of Madagascar is Antananarivo.
What currency does Madagascar use?
Madagascar uses the Malagasy ariary (MGA, symbol: Ar).
What language do they speak in Madagascar?
The official languages of Madagascar are French and Malagasy.
What is the dialling code for Madagascar?
The international dialling code for Madagascar is +261.
What side of the road does Madagascar drive on?
Madagascar drives on the right-hand side of the road.
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