Madagascar, the forgotten island

Madagascar is the world's fourth largest island after Greenland, New Guinea and Borneo. Because of its isolation most of its mammals, half its birds, and most of its plants exist nowhere else on earth.

The island is heavily exposed to tropical cyclones which bring torrential rains and destructive floods, such as the ones in 2000 and 2004, which left thousands homeless.

The Malagasy (Madagascan) people are thought to be descendents of Africans and Indonesians who settled the island more than 2,000 years ago. The World Bank has estimated that 70% of Madagascans live on less than $1 per day. But poverty is about so much more than money—lack of access to resources such as medical care, clean water and education are just as damaging to the well-being of the Malagasy people. Poverty and the competition for agricultural land have put pressure on the island's dwindling forests, home to much of Madagascar's unique wildlife and key to its emerging tourist industry.The island has strong ties with France as well as economic and cultural links with French-speaking West Africa.