Madagascar area: | 587,040sq km (226,656sq mi) |
population: | 14,900,700 |
capital (population): | Antananarivo (875,200) |
government: | Republic |
ethnic groups: | Merina 27%, Betsimisaraka 15%, Betsileo 11%, Tsimihety 7%, Sakalava 6% |
languages: | Malagasy (official), French, English |
religions: | Christianity 51%, traditional beliefs 47%, Islam 2% |
currency: | Malagasy franc = 100 centimes |
Island republic in the Indian Ocean, off the
e coast of Mozambique. Madagascar, the world's fourth-largest island, lies 390km (240mi) off the
se coast of Africa. In the
w, a wide coastal plain gives way to a central highland region, mostly between 600m and 1220m (2000ft to 4000ft). This is Madagascar's most densely populated region and home of the capital,
Antananarivo. The land rises in the
n to the volcanic peak of Tsaratanana, at 2876m (9436ft). The land slopes off in the
e to a narrow coastal strip.
Climate and Vegetation
Antananarivo lies in the tropics, but altitude greatly moderates temperatures. Winters (April to September) are dry, but heavy rain falls in summer. The
e coastlands are warm and humid, while the
w is drier.
Grass and scrub grow in the
s. Forest and tropical savanna once covered much of Madagascar, but farming cleared large areas, destroying natural habitats and seriously threatening the island's unique and diverse wildlife.
History and Politics
Africans and Indonesians arrived more than 1400 years ago, and Muslims arrived in the 9th century. In the early 17th century, Portuguese missionaries vainly sought to convert the native population. The 17th century saw the creation of small kingdoms. In the early 19th century, the Merina began to subdue smaller tribes, and by the 1880s they controlled nearly all the island.
In 1896, the French defeated the Merina, abolished the monarchy, and Malagasy became a French colony. In 1942, the British overthrew Vichy colonial rule and the Free French reasserted control. In 1946–48 France brutally crushed a rebellion against colonial rule, killing perhaps as many as 80,000 islanders.
Malagasy became a republic in 1958, and achieved full independence in 1960. President Philibert Tsiranana's autocratic government adopted unpopular policies such as the advocacy of economic ties with South Africa's apartheid regime. In 1972, the military took control of government. In 1975, Malagasy was renamed Madagascar, and Lieutenant Commander Didier Ratsiraka became president. He proclaimed martial law, banned opposition parties, and nationalized many industries.
In 1992 Ratsiraka bowed to political pressure and approved a new, democratic constitution. In 1993 multiparty elections, Albert Zafy became president. Zafy was impeached in 1996, and Ratsiraka regained the presidency in 1997 elections. In 2000, floods and tropical storms devastated Madagascar. Political and ethnic violence followed the presidential elections of 2001, in which Marc Ravalomanana defeated Ratsiraka.
Economy
Madagascar is one of the world's poorest countries (2000 GDP per capita, US$800). Deforestation and overgrazing badly eroded the land. Farming, fishing, and forestry employ about 80% of the workforce. Food and livestock form 66% of all exports. The major cash crop is coffee. Madagascar produces about 66% of the world's natural vanilla. Other exports include cloves, sisal, and sugar. Madagascar's food crops include bananas, cassava, rice, and sweet potatoes. Madasgacar's 150,000 unique species of plants and animals may encourage eco-tourism.
Political map
Physical map
Websites
http://www.embassy.org/madagascar
