TRAVEL TO EXOTIC COUNTRIES

MADAGASCAR

GENERAL INFORMATION

Madagascar - an island in the Indian Ocean, the fourth largest island in the world, is located south of the equator, 400 km off the east coast of Africa, which is separated from the continent by the Mozambique Channel.

The island is about 587 thousand square kilometers Its area is second only to Greenland, New Guinea and Kalimantan.

Madagascar - one of the most unique parts of the Earth, a fragment of the ancient supercontinent of Gondwana, which was located in the southern hemisphere and a ruptured about 200 million years ago in some parts. This modern continents: Africa, South America, Antarctica and Australia, as well as the Indian subcontinent, has become part of Eurasia after the collision with the island Hindustan Laurasia. This is sort of a mini-continent, full of exotic life forms, many of which are found only here.

Madagascar split from Africa approximately 165 million years ago and for a while he drifted eastward, taking with them a wide variety of plant and animal species. Free of aggression predators and competition with the flora and fauna of the African continent, these species flourished and gave rise to a new and unique species. Currently, out of 200 thousand species of plants and animals in Madagascar, 150 thousand are found nowhere else in the world.

CAPITAL

The capital of Madagascar - Antananarivo with a population of about 2 million people.

LANGUAGE

The official languages ​​of Madagascar - gelding (a dialect of the Malagasy language) and French. In the tourist area is frequently used English.

CURRENCY

The currency of Madagascar is Malagasy franc (MGF), equal to 100 centimes. In circulation are banknotes in denominations of 25,000, 10,000, 5,000, 2,500 and 1,000 francs, and coins in denominations of 250, 100, 50, 25, 20, 10, 5, 2 and 1 franc.

Inflation denomination in circulation currency is constantly changing, and centimes have not found any use, no matter the price list of stores.

Several attempts to enter the franc exchange a new, more stable currency - "ariari" equal to five francs, but the reform was never completed. However, the treatment can still be found in coins ariari 10 (50 francs) and 20 ariari (100 francs).

TIME

Time in Madagascar behind Moscow for 1 hour.

CLIMATE

Madagascar is now formed many different zones. Mountain range stretches from the north-east and center of the island, leaving a narrow strip of coast and causing several climatic zones. Mountainous part of the country is cool and amazing beauty, covered with a carpet of green, have a semi-arid southern regions landscape character, alternating step rocky areas in the north-east of the country a tropical climate, a lot of rain forests and coral reefs, stretching along the coast, the east coast is very wet, the Western plateau is wide and characterized, for the most part, dry climate.

In most of the tropical climate of Madagascar, in the north-equatorial monsoon, although due to the diversity of natural conditions of the island is isolated 11 is differing climatic regions. Average temperatures of +13-20 ° C in winter (April to October) to +22-30 ° C in summer (November-March). Annual precipitation is 400 to 3000 mm. a year, the maximum amount - in the summer.

FLORA AND FAUNA

Separate attraction of the island can be considered his animals. There are more than 50 species of lemurs, including the famous "Indra", "rukonozhka ay-ay", tenrecs, 7 endemic genera civet, endemic species of crocodiles and one species of pygmy hippo, the rare uzkorotye frog gekkonovye some relict forms iguanas, many skinks and chameleons gerrozavry, uzheobraznye snakes and boas, over 50 endemic families of birds and so on. Not surprisingly, the living world is a unique island-continent carefully protected by the state - such reserves as Berent, Anduhahela, Tsimanampetsutsa, Bemaraha, Ankarafantsika, Lukube, Tsaratanana, Mount Ambre, Marudzedzi, Betampuni, Andasibe, a well-known outside the island.

VISA

To obtain a tourist visa for a period of 90 days must be submitted to the Consular Section of the Embassy:

- Passport (valid for at least 6 months after the intended date of entry into the country, with two free pages);

- Bilateral forms for a visa;

- 4 visa applications (in Russian or French);

- 4 photos 3x4 cm (glued to the application);

- The application form for the child if he entered in the passport of the mother;

- The original round-trip airfare.

The consular fee is charged in rubles equivalent to $ 40 USD.

Each visa application is considered individually and at any stage of the application the Embassy may request additional information. The fact of applying for a visa does not guarantee its issuance. The Embassy reserves the right to refuse to issue the visa. Term visa 2 working days from the date of filing.

Validity period of the entry visa - 6 months from the date of issuance. Visa-free transit is not allowed. Children under 16 years fit into the visa parent (mother).

Tourist visa for up to 90 days, you can also make the airport upon arrival in the country, presenting a valid passport, return tickets and paying a fee of 140 thousand MGF.

CUSTOMS

Import and export of foreign currency is not limited (declaration required). The import of local currency is limited to five thousand MGF, the export is prohibited.

Persons aged over 21 years is allowed free entry to 500 cigarettes or 25 cigars or 500 grams. tobacco, and one bottle of a drink. Import of perfumes and other fragrance products is prohibited.

The export of native gold and gemstone jewelry, items made ​​of crocodile skin, rare species (including products from their horns, skin and bones) and plants, seeds and flowers (including dried). The export of animal skins is permitted only under license from the customs or other government agencies. The export of any kind (even stuffed) lemurs, crocodiles, turtles, and plants, seeds and flowers of orchids, euphorbias, and Diederich pahopodiumov.

Categorically prohibits the importation of wild and domestic animals (tough quarantine), weapons, drugs, drugs without proper documentary support.

SHOPS

Shops open in Madagascar, in most cases, from Monday to Friday from 8.00 to 17.00-17.30 and Saturday from 8.00 to 13.00. On Sunday, most stores will not work. Grocery stores are open all week from 8.00 to 19.30 or 20.00. Supermarkets in the capital and the resort towns have a longer operation.

In the southern and south-eastern parts of the country the majority of shops closed for siesta from day to 15.00-16.00 12.00-13.00. In the rest of this custom There is not everywhere.

TIPPING

While in many places the tip and not practiced, but it is better to give them to the local currency, and at every opportunity, because the wages of the Service Employees extremely low. In hotels and restaurants of the capital tip is 10% of the total order value and are automatically added to the bill.

SAFETY

Malagasy city quite calm, attacks are extremely rare. Travelers may be advised not to wear a wallet in your back pocket, do not trust a casual acquaintance, wearing a camera on the front.

Going for a walk, take only the minimum money. The most dangerous time - the evening and night. Recommended sightseeing with a guide or as a group.

Swim in the ocean without the risk can only be in the lagoons and on sites protected by coral reefs. In other places as there are always sharks in estuaries and mangrove forests are dangerous reptiles.

All water should be regarded as potentially dangerous to health. Water used for drinking, brushing teeth or making ice should always be boiled.

Travelers who do not want to risk of gastro-intestinal diseases, should drink only boiled or washed with boiled water and eat only drink tea, mineral or sparkling water. Malagasy mineral water "Oh Viv" (Eau Vive, the water of life) is excellent in quality.

TRANSPORT

Condition of roads in the country uniform. Most main roads are in excellent condition. At the same time supporting the direction often in terrible condition. Besides, there is an intensive road construction and road conditions vary considerably, it is recommended that before you go to make inquiries or to buy a road map. However, the map does not usually celebrate only the roads and the type of coverage, but the trails that confuses the definition of a route. Frequent landslides and washouts of the road.

Malagasy drivers are pretty careful and slow. Cars in private hands here a little bit, so much that the owners cherish them and try once again to not create dangerous incidents on the road. If you have any traffic problems front machine includes emergency lights, and all the rest, up to the last in the column, repeat the signal. Overtaking on the track are rare, and in the rhythm of movement slows down even more.

Often on the way out pets, children and local residents on trucks transporting all sorts of victuals, or building materials. At night, the road is illuminated only by the headlights of passing cars on it, and here's why local drivers shamelessly include all on-board lighting.

KITCHEN

The food in Madagascar, as a rule, is very sharp. The basis of the Malagasy cuisine - rice, served with vegetables and extremely spicy peppers, corn, meat, zebu, chicken, fish, slices of cheese and spices.

The most famous national dish: ravitutu (beef fillet with mashed cassava leaves and coconut) and rumazava (meat stew with tomatoes and spices). Among Asian dishes stand it and samba (meat pies). Gourmets from Europe appreciate local gras. On the coasts of common sea food (lobster, crab, oysters, sea urchins). Fruit in abundance throughout the year. December - the month of lychee, matures in March tasty annona scaly.

WHAT TO SEE

Nosy Iranja

Carrier Iran - a small tropical island located off the northwest coast of Madagascar, 45 km south of the Wear-Be, which is much larger and more popular. Carrier Iran consists of two parts connected by a thin coastline of sand, which is visible only at low tide, but it is possible to walk in at any time. Popular beaches of the island has been growing in large part because of their purity and snow white.

It is a quiet place ideal for diving. Many tourists who come here for a peaceful holiday, are interested in the wild. Are found in the island of sea turtles, crabs, several species of birds. In addition, Take-Iran known there grows coconuts, which are among the highest in the world.

Tsingy de Bemaraha Strict Nature Reserve

Tsinzhi du Bemaraha - a unique nature reserve on the west. Madagascar area of ​​152,000 hectares. Designed specifically for the protection of karst landscapes and the many species of lemurs inhabit it. Included in the list of World Heritage sites and protected by UNESCO.

Virgin tropical forests, rocks bizarre in appearance resemble petrified trees, the river flows through the picturesque Manambolo canyon, lily, bean and Euphorbiaceae plants, all reserve Tsinzhi du Bemaraha, or as it is called - the Stone Forest.

Average temperature of 25-28 ° C. Can be reached within 4 hours by car from the town of Morondava.

Ambohimanga

Amboimanga - a place of worship, which is a sacred place, not only for Madagascans, but also for people from other regions. Royal Hill of Ambohimanga consists of a royal city, burial sites and a series of sacred buildings. Is a place of worship for many pilgrims for over 500 years. Located 24 km east of the capital of Madagascar Antananarivo.

In the city are seven gates, the best preserved and largest main gate. Some of the fortress, built within the city completely destroyed, and some perfectly preserved to this day.

In 2001, the city has been added to the list of UNESCO World Heritage.