The Eighth Continent

MADAGASCAR | Friday, 28 December 2012 | Views [713] | View Smaller Image

Madagascar was torn from the African mainland some 160 million years ago and evolved a highly diversified assemblage of landscapes, each home to unique animal and plant species. The semi-arid southwestern part of the island is dominated by vast savannahs, such as that of Isalo National Park. Those grasslands are expanding rapidly due to abusive land use and climate change, threatening the very few remaining forests of the country.

Tags: nature, landscape, dusk, sunset, savannah, grassland, madagascar, isalo, national park

I’ll try to tell in five images the story of the millions of fascinating men and women of Madagascar and of the thousands of living species found nowhere else on Earth. Let’s start our journey on Baobab Alley, an iconic landmark of the country. Baobab trees can live up to a few thousand years and hold an important place in local customs and beliefs. Six of the world’s eight species of baobabs can only be found in Madagascar.

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There are 18 ethnic groups native to Madagascar, each having their own beliefs and livelihoods. Those Sakalava men are going home after a long day’s work in the fields.

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The Eighth Continent

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