The island of Madagascar off the southeast coast of Africa is known for its natural wealth: about ninety percent of the animal and plant species there are unique to the world, and the island nation also possesses valuable natural resources. Nevertheless, the former French colony is a developing country, and the growing population of 20 million islanders lives in poverty. Currently, the best source of income is the mass logging of precious rosewood trees commissioned by timber traders, often in the absence of the bribed forest guardians. The consequences are soil erosion and species extinction. This book provides an overview of Madagascar, its nature, politics, and economy.