“Tanindrazana, Fahafahana, Fandrosoana” is the national motto of Madagascar which means Homeland, Freedom and Progress in Malagasy. Madagascar has developed a remarkable assortment of ecosystems that all live within a single unit. Madagascar is located in the Indian Ocean off the southeastern coast of Africa. The fourth largest island in the world, it is twice the size of Arizona. The low coastal area of ​​the country gives way to a central plateau. The interior, once densely wooded, has been largely demolished. (Infoplease, 2012)At the beginning of the 17th century there were a number of small Malagasy kingdoms, including those of Antemoro, Antaisaka, Bétsiléo and Merina. Later in the century the Sakalava under the control of King Andriandahifotsi conquered western and northern Madagascar, but the kingdom collapsed in the 18th century. At the end of the 18th century the Merina people united under King Andrianampoinimerina (reigned 1787 to 1810), who also conquered Bétsiléo. Radama I (reigned 1810–1828), in exchange for accepting an end to the slave trade, received British help to modernize and equip his army, which helped him conquer the kingdom of Betsimisáraka. (Infoplease, 2012) Madagascar is a unique country with an impressive variety of rituals that influence their lifestyles and individuality; however, they have a complex and structured way of life. Madagascar's culture is widespread among the different ethnic groups that live on the island. All eighteen cultural or ethnic groups speak a different Malagasy dialect, but they can all understand each other. The Malagasy language dates back to the eastern coasts of the Indian Ocean. There are also traces of Bantu, which is a group of south-central languages......middle of paper......cousins. Lemurs survived in Madagascar because they had little primate competition and few other natural enemies. Each of the thirty species of lemurs present in Madagascar lives in a particular area of ​​the island. Most lemurs spend their time in the treetops, jumping from tree to tree, but some also live on the ground. Like humans, lemurs have the all-important opposable thumb, but they have thumbs on both their feet and hands. This gives them four ways to grab branches and food. Each lemur species has a different diet, which makes the loss of their habitat even more threatening. (Ettagale Blauer, 1999)The country of Madagascar is of unparalleled beauty and has diverse communities that can all be grouped together into one unit. The whole country is so unique and full of surprises, so much so that even scientists don't know what they will find next.