Still kickin' it big-time in the Indian Ocean -- got me some Madagascar

I admit, there are a few more Indian Ocean hotspots left to conquer, but joining Reunion in the Eff You family of nations is Madagascar, our latest first-time visitor. Madagascar is home to a metric shit ton of species found nowhere else. A former French possession, the island nation off the southeast coast of Africa is nominally a democratic republic, but since 2009 has been ruled by a guy who seems to have taken power in a sort of coup and dissolved the legislature. Sounds like a dick.

Based on what Wikipedia says -- and we all know that if it's on Wikipedia, it must be true, right? -- it's a pretty poor country:

Madagascar's GDP in 2009 was estimated at 8.6 billion USD, with a per capita GDP of $438.[11] Approximately 69 percent of the population lives below the national poverty line threshold of one dollar per day.[108] The agriculture sector constituted 29 percent of Malagasy GDP in 2011, while manufacturing formed 15 percent of GDP. Madagascar's sources of growth are tourism, agriculture and the extractive industries.[109] Tourism focuses on the niche eco-tourism market, capitalizing on Madagascar's unique biodiversity, unspoiled natural habitats, national parks and lemur species.[110] An estimated 365,000 tourists visited Madagascar in 2008, but the sector has declined as a result of the political crisis with 180,000 tourists visiting in 2010.

Having said all that, somebody from Madagascar came by, so please extend a warm Eff You welcome. Come again soon, and bring your friends.