Madagascar is an island country in East Africa, located in the
Indian Ocean. As a result of the island's long isolation from
neighbouring continents, Madagascar is home to various plants and
animals found nowhere else on Earth, being therefore considered as
a biodiversity hotspot.
Due to its abundant and diverse natural resources, the
island's economy has its mainstays in agriculture, mining,
fishing, tourism, and textiles. Still, the rapidly growing human
population, poor soil management (due to inappropriate traditional
agricultural practice), illegal logging and other environmental
threats have put Madagascar among the poorest countries in the
world.
In this context, several national and international attempts to
control and manage the sustainable use and mutual benefit of
Madagascar's economically valuable natural resources, as well
as to encourage the entry of foreign investments in the country,
are being put into practice.
