Madagascar historically has remained outside the mainstream of African affairs, although it is an active member of the Organization of African Unity and the Non-Aligned Movement. From 1978 until 1991, then-President Ratsiraka emphasized independence and nonalignment and followed an "all points" policy stressing ties with socialist and radical regimes, including North Korea, Cuba, Libya, and Iran. Taking office in 1993, President Albert Zafy expressed his desire for diplomatic relations with all countries. Early in his tenure, he established formal ties with South Korea and sent emissaries to Morocco. A satellite composite image of Africa Africa is the worlds second-largest continent in both area and population, after Asia. ... Flag of the Organisation of African Unity, later also used by the African Union. ... The Non-Aligned Movement, or NAM is an international organization of over 100 states which consider themselves not formally aligned with or against any major power bloc. ... The color red and particularly the red flag are traditional symbols of Socialism. ... Albert Zafy (born 1927) is a Malagasy Madagascar from March 27, 1993 to September 5, 1996, having defeated the long-time leader Didier Ratsiraka in multiparty elections. ...

Globalization has encouraged the government and President Ratsiraka since 1997 to adhere to market-oriented policies and to engage world markets. External relations reflect this trend although Madagascar’s physical isolation and strong traditional insular orientation have limited its activity in regional economic organizations and relations with its East African neighbors. It enjoys closer and generally good relations with its Indian Ocean neighbors--Mauritius, Réunion, and the Comoros Islands. Active relationships with Europe, especially France, Germany, and Switzerland, as well as with Russia, Japan, India, and the PRC have been strong since independence. Globalization (or globalisation) is a term used to describe the changes in societies and the world economy that are the result of dramatically increased trade and cultural exchange. ... Réunion is an island, as well as an overseas département (département doutre-mer, or DOM) of France, located in the Indian Ocean, east of Madagascar, about 200 km southwest of Mauritius. ... The Union of Comoros (until 2002 the Islamic Federal Republic of the Comoros) is an independent country at the northern end of the Mozambique Channel in the Indian Ocean, between northern Madagascar and northern Mozambique. ... World map showing location of Europe A satellite composite image of Europe Europe is geologically and geographically a peninsula, forming the westernmost part of Eurasia. ... PRC is a common abbreviation for: Peoples Republic of China Palestinian Red Crescent Popular Resistance Committees This is a disambiguation page — a navigational aid which lists other pages that might otherwise share the same title. ...

Disputes - international: claims Bassas da India, Europa Island, Glorioso Islands,and Juan de Nova Island, all administered by France

Illicit drugs: illicit producer of cannabis (cultivated and wild varieties) used mostly for domestic consumption; transshipment point for heroin Cannabis is a plant genus which includes the species Cannabis sativa and is also known as hemp, marijuana, marihuana, dope, pot, weed, grass or Mary Jane. ... Asian heroin Black tar heroin Bayer Heroin (TM) Primary worldwide producers of heroin. ...

See also : Madagascar