Globe Trekker

Madagascar (6x6)

: 28, 2002

Presenter Ian Wright travels through Madagascar, 'the red island' 250 miles off the east coast of Africa. It's the 4th largest island in the world, with landscapes ranging from rainforest to arid desert, and animal and plant life found nowhere else in the world. His journey begins in Antananarivo (Tana), the capital of Madagascar. Here he learns about the unique history and culture of the Malagasy. The earliest rulers were the highland 'Merina' tribe, and the first king Andrianampoinimerina united the island by marrying one wife from each of the 12 tribes. His granddaughter, Queen Ranavalona, came to power in 1828 and became the most notorious ruler - she threw foreigners out of the country, banned Christianity and slaughtered her own people in the most brutal ways.