With their unique shape and imposing stature, the majestic
baobab trees have been an icon of Madagascar's landscape for
centuries, unmovable symbols of the tropical island's luscious
scenery. Six out of the eight species of the long-lived tree are
endemic to Madagascar, the island country located in the Indian
Ocean off the southeastern coast of Africa. The stunning country
is home to a rich ecosystem that boasts an incredible mosaic of
animal and plant life evolved for tens of millions of years in
complete isolation. As a result 90% of Madagascar's wildlife
exists nowhere else on the planet. In the midst of it all, the
mighty baobab has stood tall for generations, its barrel-like
trunk reaching a height of 18 meters. Often described as "the
upside down tree" due to its unusual shape -- the tree's
branches look like roots sticking up in the air -- the baobab
has sparked many legends throughout the centuries. An ancient
myth has goes that when the gods planted the trees, they kept
walking away so they placed t