Madagascar Information

Madagascar, Kingdom of Madagascar, Al Bahrayn

Madagascar is a country that occupies a large island of the same name, located in the Indian Ocean off the eastern coast of Africa in the Indian Ocean. It is the fourth largest island in the world. Madagascar is east of Mozambique, Africa.

Formerly an independent kingdom, Madagascar became a French colony in 1896, but regained its independence in 1960. During 1992-93, free presidential and National Assembly elections were held, ending 17 years of single-party rule. In 1997, in the second presidential race, Didier RATSIRAKA, the leader during the 1970s and 1980s, was returned to the presidency. The 2001 presidential election was contested between the followers of Didier RATSIRAKA and Marc RAVALOMANANA, nearly causing secession of half of the country. In April 2002, the High Constitutional Court announced RAVALOMANANA the winner.

Administrative Divisions: 6 provinces (faritany); Antananarivo, Antsiranana, Fianarantsoa, Mahajanga, Toamasina, and Toliara.

Economic Overview: Having discarded past socialist economic policies, Madagascar has since the mid 1990s followed a World Bank- and IMF-led policy of privatization and liberalization. This strategy placed the country on a slow and steady growth path from an extremely low level. Agriculture, including fishing and forestry, is a mainstay of the economy, accounting for more than one-fourth of GDP and employing 80% of the population. Exports of apparel have boomed in recent years primarily due to duty-free access to the United States. Deforestation and erosion, aggravated by the use of firewood as the primary source of fuel, are serious concerns. President RAVALOMANANA has worked aggressively to revive the economy following the 2002 political crisis, which triggered a 12% drop in GDP that year. Poverty reduction and combating corruption will be the centerpieces of economic policy for the next few years.

From the European Space Agency: The island nation became a French colony in 1896, and regained its independence in 1960. Along with Malagasy, French remains one of the country's two official languages. Madagascar is the home of five percent of the world's plant and animal species. According to the World Wildlife Fund (WWF), 98 percent of Madagascar's land mammals, 92 percent of its reptiles, 68 percent of its plants and 41 percent of its bird species exist nowhere else on Earth.

Recently highlighted in the animated comedy 'Madagascar', furry, tree-hopping lemurs are endemic to the island. Although they appear to resemble felines or canines, lemurs are primates - as are monkeys, apes and humans.

There are approximately 33 different species of lemurs in Madagascar, and they are considered the most endangered primates in the world. Loss of habitat through deforestation is believed to pose the biggest threat to the island's flora and fauna.

Madagascar is recognised as one of the highest priority hotspots with numerous international conservation organisations and the Malagasy government working together to preserve the island's unique biodiversity.

Madagascar

Phone international country code 973

Madagascar from Space

Madagascar Information

Madagascar BBC Profile

Madagascar from US Sources

Madagascar Cities and Places

Isalo National Park

City of Ambanja Madagascar

Ambanja is a city in northern Madagascar. It is located approximately 500 km north of Antananarivo.

City of Antananarivo Madagascar

Antananarivo was founded in about 1625 by King Andrianjaka and takes its name (the City of the Thousand) from the number of soldiers Andrianjaka assigned to guarding it. Antananarivo is also known as Tana and is the Capital of Madagascar.

Antsirabe Madagascar

Antsirabe is the third largest city in Madagascar. Antsirabe is the capital of the Vakinankaratra region.

City of Antsiranana Madagascar

Aamed Diégo-Suarez before 1975, Antsiranana is a city at the northern tip of Madagascar, the capital of the Diana region and of the Antsiranana autonomous province.

City of Fianarantsoa Madagascar

Fianarantsoa is the capital of the Haute Matsiatra region and of the Fianarantsoa Province.
Airport Code WFI

Isalo National Park

Located in South west Madagascar

City of Mahajanga Madagascar

Mahajanga is the capital of the Boeny region and of the Mahajanga Province.

City of Toamasina Madagascar

Toamasina is the capital of the Atsinanana region and of the Toamasina Province, and has the largest seaport.

City of Toliara Madagascar

Toliara is the capital of the Atsimo-Andrefana region and the Toliara Province.

Tsiroanomandidy Madagascar

Tsiroanomandidy is the capital of the Bongolava region, in the Antananarivo Province near the center of the island.
Airport code WTS

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