An island nation off the east coast of Africa, Madagascar is a unique blend of exotic natural wonders and cultures that have come together over the centuries. The Malagasy people are descendants of both Africans and Indonesians with a significant number of folks of Arab, Indian, and Chinese heritage mixing into the stew pot of culture in later years. In general, people are friendly and welcoming; they are eager to share their culture with you and perhaps incorporate a touch of your culture into their lives, too.

Nicknamed the eighth continent because of its biodiversity and high number of endemic species, naturalists who desire new sights flock to Madagascar. Ninety percent of Madagascar

All images are used via Creative Commons Attribution rights. View the original images on Flickr at: Image 1, Image 2, Image 3, Image 4