Fritz Mueller Photography

The world's fourth largest island, Madagascar is slightly larger than the Yukon and home to 15 million people-45% are under 14 years of age and the annual population growth rate is a disconcerting 3%. One of the world's poorest nations, the Malagasy people suffer chronic malnutrition, low life expectancies, disease and surface water contamination. Per capita income is $240 U.S. a year, and about 80% of the population are subsistence farmers who do not participate in the cash economy.