Nature Bank

Madagascar, officially the Republic of Madagascar  previously known as the Malagasy Republic, is an island country in the Indian Ocean, off the coast of Southeast Africa. The nation comprises the island of Madagascar, as well as numerous smaller peripheral islands. Madagascar's highest peaks rise from three prominent highland massifs: Maromokotro 2,876 m  in the Tsaratanana Massif is the island's highest point, followed by Boby Peak 2,658 m in the Andringitra Massif, and Tsiafajavona 2,643 m  in the Ankaratra Massif. To the east, the Canal des Pangalanes is a chain of man-made and natural lakes connected by canals built by the French just inland from the east coast and running parallel to it for some 600 km. The western and southern sides, which lie in the rain shadow of the central highlands, are home to dry deciduous forests, spiny forests, and deserts and xeric shrublands. Due to their lower population densities, Madagascar's dry deciduous forests have been better preserved than the eastern rain forests or the original woodlands of the central plateau.  Source