Antananarivo, the capital of Madagascar, is situated on the island's central highlands rather than the coast. Founded in the early 17th century, its name means 'City of the Thousand,' referring to the thousand soldiers who supposedly guarded it during its early days. Madagascar is the fourth largest island in the world and a 'biodiversity hotspot'; about 90% of its wildlife is found nowhere else on Earth, most famously its 100+ species of lemurs. The city is built on several steep hills, and its architecture is a mix of French colonial influence and traditional Merina styles. A major landmark is the Rova of Antananarivo, a royal palace complex that served as the seat of the Merina Kingdom. Because of its high altitude, the city enjoys a temperate climate despite its tropical latitude. Madagascar is also the world's leading producer of vanilla, a crop that drives a significant portion of the national economy.