Mad·a·gas·car [ màddə gáskər ]island country in the Indian Ocean, separated from southeastern mainland Africa by the Mozambique Channel. Languages: Malagasy, French. Currency: Malagasy franc. Capital: Antananarivo. Population: 20,653,556 (2009 estimate).
Area: 587,041 sq km (226,658 sq mi) Official name Democratic Republic of Madagascar Former name Malagasy Republic 1958-1975
