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Madagascar is a beautiful island, ringed by golden beaches and palm trees, and with an
interior that is resplendent in its variety, from grassy plateaus to volcanoes and
opaque forests and natural reserves.
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According to local legend, the island was first inhabited by the Vazimba, a race of white
pygmies. These people, if they existed, were displaced by successive waves of Polynesian
migrants from the Malayo-Indonesian archipelago, from as early as the sixth century. In the
ninth century, Madagascar was a major trading power in the western Indian Ocean. Moreover,
ancient ruins indicate an extensive Arab presence on the island around that time. Bantu tribes
from mainland Africa later settled on the west coast. The first Europeans arrived in the
mid-17th century.
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Recent years have been marred by political, economic and meteorological crises. Indeed, some may
be deterred by the levels of poverty on this island and the enormous gap between rich and
poor. Nevertheless, Madagascar dazzles with its rich wildlife, with a large majority of its
species unique to the island, and found nowhere else on Earth. Of the popular creature, the
lemur, there are over 10 different species alone. The island is a mass of unusual and
colourful flowers and other flora. In terms of biodiversity alone, Madagascar really is one of
a kind.
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