<P> Madagascar ( / ˌmædəˈɡæskər / ; Malagasy : Madagasikara ) , officially the Republic of Madagascar ( Malagasy : Repoblikan'i Madagasikara ( republiˈkjan madaɡasˈkjarə̥ ) ; French : République de Madagascar ) , and previously known as the Malagasy Republic , is an island country in the Indian Ocean , off the coast of East Africa . The nation comprises the island of Madagascar ( the fourth - largest island in the world ) , and numerous smaller peripheral islands . Following the prehistoric breakup of the supercontinent Gondwana , Madagascar split from the Indian peninsula around 88 million years ago , allowing native plants and animals to evolve in relative isolation . Consequently , Madagascar is a biodiversity hotspot ; over 90 % of its wildlife is found nowhere else on Earth . The island 's diverse ecosystems and unique wildlife are threatened by the encroachment of the rapidly growing human population and other environmental threats . </P>
<P> Madagascar ( / ˌmædəˈɡæskər / ; Malagasy : Madagasikara ) , officially the Republic of Madagascar ( Malagasy : Repoblikan'i Madagasikara ( republiˈkjan madaɡasˈkjarə̥ ) ; French : République de Madagascar ) , and previously known as the Malagasy Republic , is an island country in the Indian Ocean , off the coast of East Africa . The nation comprises the island of Madagascar ( the fourth - largest island in the world ) , and numerous smaller peripheral islands . Following the prehistoric breakup of the supercontinent Gondwana , Madagascar split from the Indian peninsula around 88 million years ago , allowing native plants and animals to evolve in relative isolation . Consequently , Madagascar is a biodiversity hotspot ; over 90 % of its wildlife is found nowhere else on Earth . The island 's diverse ecosystems and unique wildlife are threatened by the encroachment of the rapidly growing human population and other environmental threats . </P>
where is madagascar located in the world map
where is madagascar located in the world map
in the Indian Ocean , off the coast of East Africa
in the Indian Ocean , off the coast of East Africa