Useful Information

General Information

Size : 590 000 km²
Climate : Tropical. One hot humid season (October to April). One cool dry season (May to November).
Population : 17 million
Roads : 120 000 km
Religions : Christian, Muslim
Official Languages : Malagasy, French and English

The best time to visit Madagascar is from May to December, when you can take advantage of the lower temperatures and sunniest weather.

Money

The National Currency is the Ariary (Ar), which replaced the Malagasy Franc

Exchenge rate last up dated on the 07/02/08

Euro = 2 629.59
USD =1 795.30
Rand = 230.60
CHF = 1 640.59
JPY = 16.87

Source: Malagasy Central Bank

For current exchange rate visit: Click Here

Phone calls

To call Madagascar from South Africa : 00261 + Area Code + Telephone Number

In Madagascar : Dial 22, or other code for the Provinces, + Number
To South Africa : Dial 10 + (through an operator)

Area Codes :

Antananarivo : 22
Taolagnaro : 92
Toamasina : 53
Mahajanga : 62
Antsirabe : 44
Diego Suarez : 82
Toliary : 94
Fianarantsoa : 75
Nosy Be : 86

Useful Numbers :

Police Aid : 17
Police Patrol : 23 801 37
Ambulances : 22 235 55
Sanitary Evacuation : Malagasy Airlines : 22 441 37 23 843 22
Healthcare : Centre hospitalier de Soavinandriana : 22 403 41
Polyclinique Ilafy (24/24) : 22 425 66
Clinique MM (24/24) : 22 235 55
Clinique des Soeurs Franciscaines : 22 235 54
Clinique Saint-Paul : 22 271 47
Cabinet Medical & dentaire : 22 231 66
Analysis : Institut Pasteur : 22 401 64

Public holidays

1 January : New Year's Day
29 March : Memorial Day
1 May : Labor Day
25 May : AU
26 June : National Day
15 August : Assumption Day
1 November: All Saints' Day
25 December: Christmas Day

The dates for Easter and Pentecost Monday change every year

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