Madagascar, the world’s fourth largest island, lies off Africa’s southeastern coast, isolated for millions of years since breaking from Gondwana. This unique history has crafted a biodiversity hotspot and a geological treasure trove. Spanning 587,041 square kilometers, the island boasts diverse landscapes—rainforests, dry forests, spiny deserts, and a central highland plateau rising over 2,000 meters. Its rugged terrain, including the iconic Tsingy de Bemaraha, reflects a dynamic past of volcanic activity, sedimentation, and erosion. Tropical coasts, temperate highlands, and arid southern regions shape Madagascar’s climate, driving erosion and sediment processes that enhance its geological wonders. Rich in precious sapphires, rare minerals, nickel, and cobalt, Madagascar’s mineral wealth is as extraordinary as its ecosystems. From Antananarivo to Pietermaritzburg—a 2,300-kilometer journey—these rocks embody the island’s remarkable story, a living testament to Earth’s ancient history.
