About Madagascar: Madagascar broke away from mainland Africa around 160 million years ago, and its plants and animals evolved in isolation ever since. Today, roughly 90% of its wildlife — including all of its famous lemurs — is found nowhere else on the planet, making it one of the world's most important biodiversity hotspots. A Biodiversity Hotspot — Scientists consider Madagascar one of the most important biodiversity hotspots on Earth.

Location: Indian Ocean, off southeast Africa · Area: 587,041 km² (226,658 mi²) The fourth-largest island in the world. · Nation: An independent country · Population: About 30 million people · Wildlife: Lemurs found nowhere else · Separation: Split from Africa ~160 million years ago · Highest Point: Maromokotro, 2,876 m · Capital: Antananarivo Madagascar's capital and largest city. · Languages: Malagasy & French