Practical information

I Geographic position I Luggages I Equipments I Climate I Malagasy cultures I
I Banks I Languages I Visa I Population I Currency I Health I
Geographic position
Madagascar is situated in the South hemisphere between the latitudes 12°S and 26°S, and between the longitudes 44° and 50° East of Greenwich.

Population
Madagascar is subdivided into 18 tribes that can live in harmony between themselves. Antananarivo, the cosmopolitan capital city shows this harmony not only between Malagasy people but also with many foreigners spread throughout the Island. Nowadays, its population is about 18 millions inhabitants, 1,5 millions of whom live in Tana.

Languages
The mother tongue is the Malagasy language. It is often mixed up with Malaysian, Arabic, and the Swahili.
The second language is the French, but under the influences of foreigners, people can speak foreign languages without having learnt them at school.

Banks
• All banks are opened from Monday to Friday on a continuous day except during certain day off where they end up their operations in the late morning.
• The exchange offices at Ivato international airport are opened at the arrivals and departures of international flights.
• The travellers’ cheque are exchanged in banks, and also accepted by certain department stores, travel agencies and hotels.
• Credit cards are accepted by certain institutions: VISA, AMERICAN EXPRESS, and MASTERCARD…
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Health
No vaccine is obligatory. But, the antimalarial treatment is recommended.

Equipments
Provide yourself with light clothes (light pullovers, trousers, windbreakers K-Way style for fresh nights), tough shoes or boots for a walk, sandals, torches, anti-mosquito lotion, hats, solar cream, a pharmacy case.

Luggages
For interior flight, only 20 KGS luggage is allowed per passenger.

Malagasy cultures
Malagasy people are very conservative.
Outside town, always inquired about local customs.

Climate
The Island is situated in the tropical zone of the southern hemisphere; therefore, it has two distinct seasons.
• The austral winter, from May to October (dried season)
• The austral summer, from October to April (rainy season) and cyclonic period from late January to March.

Visa
You can have your visa at your arrival at Ivato international airport. Provide yourself with a valid passport (at least 6 months after the date of your coming back), return airline tickets for long-distance aircraft. Plan about 25€ for fares or pay in advance at the consulate of Madagascar in France.

Currency
The national currency is the ARIARY shortened MGA. Its rate is floating (for your information 1€ =MGA2600,00)