Madagascar: flag, capital and map

Madagascar at a glance: its flag, its capital Antananarivo, its population and where it sits on the world map. Plus a way to test yourself afterwards.

Flag — Madagascar
Madagascar: its flag

Adopted on 21 October 1958, two years before independence, as Madagascar prepared for a referendum on its status within the French Community, the flag pairs a vertical white band at the hoist with two horizontal bands, red above green.

White and red come from the colours of the Merina kingdom, carried by its last queen, Ranavalona III, possibly echoing the Austronesian origins the Malagasy share with Indonesia, whose flag uses the same two colours; green is said to stand instead for the Hova, the peasant class that drove the anti-colonial movement.

Location map — Madagascar
Madagascar on the world map
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Madagascar in figures

Capital
Antananarivo
Population
32 million inhabitants as of 2024
Area
587,295 km²
Currency
ariary
Official languages
French, Malagasy
Demonym
Malagasy
Local name
République de Madagascar, Repoblikan'i Madagaskar
Internet domain
.mg
Calling code
+261
UN member since
Admission date: 20-09-1960

Madagascar: bordering countries

No land border.

Test your knowledge

So you know this country? Check that you know the other 192 too.

Data: Wikidata (CC0). Flags and map: Geo Nerd.

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