Madagascar
geographical name
Mad·a·gas·car
ˌma-də-ˈga-skər 
-ˌskär
island located in the western Indian Ocean off southeastern Africa and noted for its unique flora and fauna; formerly a French territory; became a republic of the French Community as the
Mal*a*gasy Republic
\
ˌma-lə-ˈga-sē 
\ in 1958
; name changed to Madagascar in 1975; capital Antananarivo area 226,658 square miles (587,041 square kilometers), population 25,684,000
\ in 1958
; name changed to Madagascar in 1975; capital Antananarivo area 226,658 square miles (587,041 square kilometers), population 25,684,000
Cite this Entry
“Madagascar.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/Madagascar. Accessed 30 Oct. 2025.
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