Madagascar is an island country in the Indian Ocean, located approximately 400 kilometers off the coast of East Africa across the Mozambique Channel. It is the world's fourth-largest island and is often called the 'eighth continent' because of its unique biodiversity; about 90% of its wildlife, including lemurs and various reptiles, is found nowhere else on Earth. The capital and largest city is Antananarivo, situated in the central highlands. Madagascar's geography includes a central plateau, rain forests in the east, and dry deciduous forests and deserts in the west and south. The island split from the Indian subcontinent around 88 million years ago, allowing its flora and fauna to evolve in relative isolation. The Malagasy people have diverse origins, with influences from Southeast Asia, Africa, and the Arab world. The country is a major producer of vanilla and cloves.