Madagascar is an island nation in the Indian Ocean, off the eastern coast of Africa. Madagascar is the 4th largest island in the world. It is the home of five percent of the world's plant and animal species, 80 per cent of them unique to Madagascar. Most famous among those are the lemurs. Madagascar and Mauritania are the only countries not to use a decimal currency. A small island in the Adriatic sea An island is any piece of land smaller than a continent and larger than a rock, that is completely surrounded by water. ... The Indian Ocean is the third-largest body of water in the world, covering about 20% of the Earths water surface. ... This is a list of islands in the world ordered by area. ... Divisions Green algae land plants (embryophytes) non-vascular embryophytes Hepatophyta - liverworts Anthocerophyta - hornworts Bryophyta - mosses vascular plants (tracheophytes) seedless vascular plants Lycopodiophyta - clubmosses Equisetophyta - horsetails Pteridophyta - true ferns Psilotophyta - whisk ferns Ophioglossophyta - adderstongue ferns seed plants (spermatophytes) †Pteridospermatophyta - seed ferns Pinophyta - conifers Cycadophyta - cycads Ginkgophyta - ginkgo Gnetophyta - gnetae Magnoliophyta - flowering... Phyla Porifera (sponges) Ctenophora (comb jellies) Cnidaria Placozoa Bilateria Acoelomorpha Orthonectida Rhombozoa ? Myxozoa Superphylum Deuterostomia     Chordata (vertebrates, etc. ... Families Cheirogaleidae Lemuridae Megaladapidae Indridae Lemurs are part of a class of primates known as prosimians, and make up the infraorder Lemuriformes. ... The Islamic Republic of Mauritania is a country in northwest Africa. ... Decimal currency is a currency for which the ratio between the basic unit of currency and its sub-unit is a power of ten. ...

(In Detail) (Full size)
National motto: Tanindrazana, Fahafahana, Fandrosoana (Malagasy: Fatherland, Liberty, Progress)
Official language	Malagasy, French
Capital	Antananarivo 18°55′ S 47°31′ E (http://kvaleberg.com/extensions/mapsources/index.php?params=18_55_S_47_31_E_)
President	Marc Ravalomanana
Prime Minister	Jacques Sylla
Area  - Total  - % water	Ranked 45th 587,040 km² 0.9%
Population  - Total (2004)  - Density	Ranked 56th 17,501,871 26.4/km²
GDP (PPP)  - Total (Year)  - GDP/head	Ranked 123rd $12,590 million $800
Currency	Ariary
Time zone	UTC +3
Independence	26 June 1960, from France
National anthem	Ry Tanindraza nay malala ô (Oh, Our Beloved Fatherland)
National tree	Baobab
Internet TLD	.mg
Calling Code	261

History

Main article: History of Madagascar The written history of Madagascar began in the seventh century A.D., when Arabs established trading posts along the northwest coast. ...

The written history of Madagascar began in the 7th century, when Arabs established trading posts along the northwest coast. European contact began in the 1500s, when Portuguese sea captain Diego Dias sighted the island after his ship became separated from a fleet bound for India. In the late 17th century, the French established trading posts along the east coast. From about 1774 to 1824, it was a favorite haunt for pirates, including Americans, one of whom brought Malagasy rice to South Carolina. ( 6th century - 7th century - 8th century - other centuries) Events Islam starts in Arabia, the Quran is written, and Arabs subjugate Syria, Iraq, Persia, Egypt, North Africa and Central Asia to Islam. ... Arab (disambiguation). ... Events Europes population was ~60 million. ... The Republic of India is the second most populous country in the world, with a population of more than one billion, and is the seventh largest country by geographical area. ... The French Republic or France (French: République française or France) is a country whose metropolitan territory is located in western Europe, and which is further made up of a collection of overseas islands and territories located in other continents. ... Events January 21 - Mustafa III, Sultan of the Ottoman Empire dies and is succeeded by his brother Abd-ul-Hamid I. May 10 - Louis XVI becomes King of France. ... 1824 was a leap year starting on Thursday (see link for calendar). ... This article is about sea pirates. ... Note: This page contains IPA phonetic symbols in Unicode. ... State nickname: Palmetto State Other U.S. States Capital Columbia Largest city Columbia Governor Mark Sanford Official languages English Area 82,965 km² (40th)  - Land 78,051 km²  - Water 4,915 km² (6%) Population (2000)  - Population 4,012,012 (26th)  - Density 51. ...

Beginning in the 1790s, Merina rulers succeeded in establishing hegemony over the major part of the island, including the coast. In 1817, the Merina ruler and the British governor of Mauritius concluded a treaty abolishing the slave trade, which had been important in Madagascar's economy. In return, the island received British military and financial assistance. British influence remained strong for several decades, during which the Merina court was converted to Presbyterianism, Congregationalism, and Anglicanism. The Merina is the largest ethnic group in Madagascar. ... Hegemony is the dominance of one group over other groups, with or without the threat of force, to the extent that, for instance, the dominant party can dictate the terms of trade to its advantage; or more broadly, that cultural perspectives become skewed to favor the dominant group. ... Events March 4 - James Monroe succeeds James Madison as the President of the United States of America April – Earthquake in Palermo, Italy April 3 – Princess Caraboo appears in Almondsbury in Gloucestershire, England May - The General Convention of the Episcopal Church founded General Theological Seminary while meeting in New York City. ... The Republic of Mauritius is an island country in the southwest Indian Ocean, about 900 km east of Madagascar. ... This is a disambiguation page — a navigational aid which lists other pages that might otherwise share the same title. ... Presbyterianism is part of the Reformed churches family of denominations of Christian Protestantism based on the teachings of John Calvin which traces its institutional roots to the Scottish Reformation, especially as led by John Knox. ... Congregational churches are Protestant Christian churches practicing congregationalist church governance, in which each congregation indepedently and autonomously runs its own affairs. ... The term Anglican (from the Angles or English) describes those people and churches following the religious traditions developed by the established Church of England. ...

The British accepted the imposition of a French protectorate over Madagascar in 1885 in return for eventual control over Zanzibar (now part of Tanzania) and as part of an overall definition of spheres of influence in the area. Absolute French control over Madagascar was established by military force in 1895-96, and the Merina monarchy was abolished. 1885 is a common year starting on Thursday. ... Map of Zanzibars main island Zanzibar, Tanzania, comprises a pair of islands off the east coast of Africa called Zanzibar (Unguja) (1994 est. ... The United Republic of Tanzania (Jamhuri ya Muungano wa Tanzania in Swahili) is a country on the east coast of central Africa. ... 1895 was a common year starting on Tuesday (see link for calendar). ... 1896 was a leap year starting on Wednesday (see link for calendar). ...

Malagasy troops fought in France, Morocco, and Syria during World War I. After France fell to the Germans, the Vichy government administered Madagascar. British troops occupied the strategic island in 1942 to preclude its seizure by the Japanese. The Free French received the island from the United Kingdom in 1943. The French Republic or France (French: République française or France) is a country whose metropolitan territory is located in western Europe, and which is further made up of a collection of overseas islands and territories located in other continents. ... The Kingdom of Morocco is a country in northwest Africa. ... The Syrian Arab Republic is a country in the Middle East, bordering (from south to north) on Lebanon, Israel, Jordan, Iraq and Turkey. ... Ypres, 1917, in the vicinity of the Battle of Passchendaele. ... Vichy is a spa and resort town in central France, near Clermont-Ferrand and was the capital of Vichy France from 1940 to 1944. ... Official language Japanese Capital Tokyo Largest City Tokyo Emperor Akihito Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi Area  - Total  - % water Ranked 60th 377,835 km² 0. ... The Free French Forces (Forces Françaises Libres in French) were French fighters who decided to go on fighting against Germany after the Fall of France and German occupation and to fight against Vichy France in World War II. General Charles de Gaulle was a member of the French Cabinet in...

In 1947, with French prestige at low ebb, a nationalist uprising was suppressed after several months of bitter fighting. The French subsequently established reformed institutions in 1956 under the Loi Cadre (Overseas Reform Act), and Madagascar moved peacefully toward independence. The Malagasy Republic was proclaimed on October 14, 1958, as an autonomous state within the French Community. A period of provisional government ended with the adoption of a constitution in 1959 and full independence on June 26, 1960. The Madagascar revolt was an attempted revolution against the French by nationalists on the island of Madagascar between 1947 and 1948. ... 1956 is a leap year starting on Sunday. ... This article is about the country; for the movie see Madagascar (movie) Madagascar is an island nation in the Indian Ocean, off the eastern coast of Africa. ... October 14 is the 287th day of the year (288th in Leap years). ... 1958 was a common year starting on Wednesday (link will take you to calendar). ... 1959 was a common year starting on Thursday (link will take you to calendar). ... June 26 is the 177th day of the year (178th in leap years) in the Gregorian Calendar, with 188 days remaining. ...

Politics

Main article: Politics of Madagascar In March 1998, Malagasy voters approved a revised constitution. ...

Madagascar's first President, Philibert Tsiranana, was elected when his Social Democratic Party gained power at independence in 1960 and was reelected without opposition in March 1972. However, he resigned only 2 months later in response to massive antigovernment demonstrations. The unrest continued, and Tsiranana's successor, Gen. Gabriel Ramanantsoa, resigned on February 5, 1975, handing over executive power to Lt. Col. Richard Ratsimandrava, who was assassinated 6 days later. A provisional military directorate then ruled until a new government was formed in June 1975, under Didier Ratsiraka. For alternative meanings, see March (disambiguation). ... 1972 was a leap year that started on a Saturday. ... February 5 is the 36th day of the year in the Gregorian Calendar. ... Richard Ratsimandrava (March 21, 1931-February 11, 1975) was President of Madagascar for six days in February 1975. ... June is the sixth month of the year in the Gregorian Calendar and one of four with the length of 30 days. ... Didier Ratsiraka (born November 4, 1936) was the President of Madagascar from 1975 until 1993 and from 1997 until 2002. ...

During the 16 subsequent years of President Ratsiraka's rule, Madagascar continued under a government committed to revolutionary socialism based on the 1975 Constitution establishing a highly centralized state. National elections in 1982 and 1989 returned Ratsiraka for a second and third 7-year presidential term. For much of this period, only limited and restrained political opposition was tolerated, with no direct criticism of the president permitted in the press. The color red and particularly the red flag are traditional symbols of Socialism. ...

With an easing of restrictions on political expression, beginning in the late 1980s, the Ratsiraka regime came under increasing pressure to make fundamental changes. In response to a deteriorating economy, Ratsiraka relaxed socialist economic policies and instituted some liberal, private-sector reforms. These, along with political reforms like the elimination of press censorship in 1989 and the formation of more political parties in 1990, were insufficient to placate a growing opposition movement known as Hery Velona ("Active Forces"). A number of already existing political parties and their leaders, among them Albert Zafy and Rakotoniaina Manandafy, anchored this movement which was especially strong in Antananarivo and the surrounding high plateau. In politics, the term liberal refers to: an adherent of the ideology of liberalism or a state or quality of this ideology. ... In ancient Rome, censorship was the office or function of a censor. ... 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. ... Antananarivo, population 802,000 ( 1997), is the capital of Madagascar, in Antananarivo province. ...

In response to largely peaceful mass demonstrations and crippling general strikes, Ratsiraka replaced his prime minister in August 1991 but suffered an irreparable setback soon thereafter when his troops fired on peaceful demonstrators marching on Iavoloha, the suburban presidential palace, killing more than 30. August is the eighth month of the year in the Gregorian Calendar and one of seven Gregorian months with the length of 31 days. ...

In an increasingly weakened position, Ratsiraka acceded to negotiations on the formation of a transitional government. The resulting "Panorama Convention" of October 31, 1991, stripped Ratsiraka of nearly all of his powers, created interim institutions, and set an 18-month timetable for completing a transition to a new form of constitutional government. The High Constitutional Court was retained as the ultimate judicial arbiter of the process. October 31 is the 304th day of the year (305th in leap years) in the Gregorian Calendar, with 61 days remaining, as the final day of October. ... A Constitutional Court is a high court found in many countries which deals primary with constitutional law. ...

In March 1992, a widely representative National Forum organized by the FFKM (Malagasy Christian Council of Churches) drafted a new Constitution. Troops guarding the proceedings clashed with pro-Ratsiraka "federalists" who tried to disrupt the forum in protest of draft constitutional provisions preventing the incumbent president from running again. The text of the new Constitution was put to a nationwide referendum in August 1992 and approved by a wide margin, despite efforts by federalists to disrupt balloting in several coastal areas. For alternative meanings, see March (disambiguation). ... August is the eighth month of the year in the Gregorian Calendar and one of seven Gregorian months with the length of 31 days. ... A ballot is a device used to record choices made by voters. ...

Presidential elections were held on November 25, 1992, after the High Constitutional Court had ruled, over Hery Velona objections, that Ratsiraka could become a candidate. Runoff elections were held in February 1993, and the leader of the Hery Velona movement, Albert Zafy, defeated Ratsiraka. Zafy was sworn in as President on March 27, 1993. After President Zafy's impeachment by the National Assembly in 1996 and the short quasi-presidency of Norbert Ratsirahonana, the 1997 elections once again pitted Zafy and Ratsiraka, with Ratsiraka this time emerging victorious. A National Assembly dominated by members of President Ratsiraka'a political party AREMA subsequently passed the 1998 Constitution, which considerably strengthened the presidency. This article is about the political process. ... November 25 is the 329th (in leap years the 330th) day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... February is the second month of the year in the Gregorian Calendar. ... March 27 is the 86th day of the year in the Gregorian Calendar (87th in Leap years). ...

In December 2001, a presidential election was held in which both major candidates claimed victory. The Ministry of the Interior declared incumbent Ratsiraka of the AREMA party victorious. Marc Ravalomanana contested the results and claimed victory. A political crisis followed in which Ratsiraka supporters cut major transport routes from the primary port city to the capital city, a stronghold of Ravalomanana support. Sporadic violence and considerable economic disruption continued until July 2002 when Ratsiraka and several of his prominent supporters fled to exile in France. In addition to political differences, ethnic differences played a role in the crisis and continue to play a role in politics. Ratsiraka is from the coastal Betsimisaraka tribe and Ravalomanana comes from the highland Merina tribe. December is the twelfth and last month of the year in the Gregorian Calendar and one of seven Gregorian months with the length of 31 days. ... Marc Ravalomanana (born December 12, 1949) is a Malagasy politician. ... July is the seventh month of the year in the Gregorian Calendar and one of seven Gregorian months with the length of 31 days. ... See Exile (disambiguation) for other meanings. ... The French Republic or France (French: République française or France) is a country whose metropolitan territory is located in western Europe, and which is further made up of a collection of overseas islands and territories located in other continents. ... The Merina is the largest ethnic group in Madagascar. ...

After the end of the 2002 political crisis, President Ravalomanana began many reform projects, forcefully advocating "rapid and durable development" and the launching of a battle against corruption. December 2002 legislative elections gave his newly formed TIM (Tiako-I-Madagasikara) (I Love Madagascar) Party a commanding majority in the National Assembly. November 2003 municipal elections were conducted freely, returning a majority of supporters of the president, but also significant numbers of independent and regional opposition figures. December is the twelfth and last month of the year in the Gregorian Calendar and one of seven Gregorian months with the length of 31 days. ... TIM, Tiako I Madagasikara (I Love Madagascar) is a political party in Madagascar. ... November is the eleventh month of the year in the Gregorian Calendar and one of four Gregorian months with the length of 30 days. ...

Following the crisis of 2002, the President replaced provincial governors with appointed PDSs (Presidents des Delegations Speciales). Subsequent legislation established a structure of 22 regions to decentralize administration. In September 2004, the Government named 22 Regional Chiefs, reporting directly to the President, to implement its decentralization plans. Financing and specific powers for the regional administrations remain to be clarified. September is the ninth month of the year in the Gregorian Calendar and one of four Gregorian months with the length of 30 days. ...

Government

In March 1998, Malagasy voters approved a revised Constitution. The principal institutions of the Republic of Madagascar are a presidency, a parliament (National Assembly and Senate), a prime ministry and cabinet, and an independent judiciary. The president is elected by direct universal suffrage for a 5-year term, renewable twice. For alternative meanings, see March (disambiguation). ... President is a title held by many leaders of organizations, companies, universities, and countries. ... Alternative meanings: Parliamentary system, Parliament (band), Parliament (cigarette). ... The National Assembly is the name of either a legislature, or the lower house of a bicameral legislature in some countries. ... A senate is a deliberative body, often the upper house or chamber of a legislature. ... The judiciary, also referred to as the judicature, consists of justices, judges and magistrates among other types of adjudicators. ... Universal suffrage (also general suffrage or common suffrage) consists of the extension of voting privileges to all adults, without distinction as to race, sex, belief or social status. ...

The National Assembly consists of 160 representatives elected by direct vote every 5 years. The last election was held in December 2002. The Senate consists of 90 senators, two-thirds elected by local legislators and other Grand Electors and one-third appointed by the president, all for 6-year terms. A prime minister and council of ministers carries out day-to-day management of government. The president appoints the prime minister. For the Finno-Ugric people, see Votes. ... Alternative meaning: Prime Minister (band) A prime minister is the leading member of the cabinet of the top level government in a parliamentary system of government of a country, alternatively A prime minister is an official in a presidential system or semi-presidential system whose duty is to execute the...

The prime minister and members of Parliament initiate legislation, and the government executes it. The president can dissolve the National Assembly. For its part, the National Assembly can pass a motion of censure and require the prime minister and council of ministers to step down. The Constitutional Court approves the constitutionality of new laws. Legislation refers 1. ... Censure is a process by which a formal reprimand is issued to an individual by an authoritative body. ...

Territorial Subdivisions

During the second republic, the country was divided into five levels:

1. Faritany (province)
2. Fivondronana or Fivondronampokontany
3. Firaisana or Firaisampokontany
4. Fokontany
5. Fokonolona

The constitution of 1992 ruled that the country should be organized in decentralized territorial entities. The name, number, and limits of territorial entities should be determined by law.

In the law passed by the national assembly in 1994, three such entity levels were defined: region (faritra), department (departemanta) and commune (kaominina). The communes were created in 1996.

With Didier Ratsiraka back in power, the constitution was changed in 1998, to include and specifically mention six autonomus provinces, divided into undefined regions and communes. The autonomus provinces, having the same names and territories as the already existing provinces, were created in 2000.

During the power struggle after the presidential elections in 2001, five of those provinces, whose governors supported Ratsiraka, declared themselves independent from the republic. The new president, Ravalomanana, replaced the provincial governments by special delegations, appointed by the president. This effectively means that the autonomous provinces have ceased to exist as such, although it remains unclear whether they will remain in place.

In 2004, the regions were finally created by the national assembly in law no. 2004-001. Meanwhile the 28 regions originally proposed had become 22. Although they are subdivisions of the provinces, they are representatives (and representing the people) of the republic, not the province. The regions will also take over the assets of the "ex-Fivondronampokontany". It is also mentioned that the communes are the only entities that are operational, and there will be an unspecified period of transition to the new system. The departments are not mentioned in the law, instead the designation "components" of the regions is used. It appears that the departments will be based on the Fivondronampokontany, although it is unclear whether they are already in place and what it means that the assets will be taken over by the regions.

Provinces

Main article: Provinces of Madagascar Madagascar is divided into six provinces: Antananarivo province Antsiranana province Fianarantsoa province Mahajanga province Toamasina province Toliara province Categories: Lists of subnational entities | Madagascar | Provinces of Madagascar ...

Madagascar is divided into six autonomous provinces (faritany mizakatena), each named for their capital. They are: Province is a name for a secondary, or subnational entity of government in most countries. ...

• Antananarivo
• Antsiranana
• Fianarantsoa
• Mahajanga
• Toamasina
• Toliara

Categories: Stub | Provinces of Madagascar ... Categories: Stub | Provinces of Madagascar ... Categories: Stub | Provinces of Madagascar ... Categories: Africa geography stubs | Provinces of Madagascar ... Toamasina is a province of Madagascar with an area of 71,911 km2. ... Categories: Stub | Provinces of Madagascar ...

Regions

The 22 regions by province:

• Antananarivo
  • Analamanga
  • Bongolava
  • Itasy
  • Vakinankaratra
• Antsiranana
  • Diana
  • Sava
• Fianarantsoa
  • Amoron'i Mania
  • Atsimo Atsinanana
  • Haute-Matsiatra
  • Ihorombe
  • Vatovavy-Fitovinany
• Mahajanga
  • Betsiboka
  • Boeny
  • Melaky
  • Sofia
• Toamasina
  • Alaotra Mangoro
  • Analanjirofo
  • Atsinanana
• Toliara
  • Androy
  • Anosy
  • Tasimo Andrefana
  • Menabe

Geography

Map of Madagascar. Nosy means island in the Malagasy language.

Main article: Geography of Madagascar Download high resolution version (330x717, 12 KB)map of Madagascar, converted directly from CIA World Factbook GIF File links The following pages link to this file: Madagascar Geography of Madagascar Categories: CIA World Factbook images ... Download high resolution version (330x717, 12 KB)map of Madagascar, converted directly from CIA World Factbook GIF File links The following pages link to this file: Madagascar Geography of Madagascar Categories: CIA World Factbook images ... Location: Southern Africa, island in the Indian Ocean, east of Mozambique Geographic coordinates: 20 00 S, 47 00 E Map references: Africa Area: total: 587,040 sq km land: 581,540 km² water: 5,500 km² Categories: Madagascar | Geography by country ...

The east coast of Madagascar has lowlands leading to steep bluffs and central highlands. The Tsaratanana Massif in north with volcanic mountains. The west coast has many protected harbors and broad plains, the southwest is a plateau and desert region. This article is about volcanoes in geology. ... In geography, a plain is an expanse of land with relatively low relief. ... For alternate uses of the term, see Plateau (disambiguation). ... A dune in the Egyptian desert Desert in California In geography, a desert is a landscape form or region that receives little precipitation. ...

There are two seasons, it is hot and rainy from November to April; cooler, dry season from May to October. Southeastern trade winds dominate, occasional cyclones. The trade winds are a pattern of wind found in bands around Earths equatorial region. ... In meteorology, a cyclone is the rotation of a volume of air about an area of low atmospheric pressure. ...

Ecology

Main article: Ecoregions of Madagascar Madagascar is the fourth largest island in the world. ...

Madagascar's long isolation from the neighboring continents has resulted in a unique mix of plants and animals, many found nowhere else in the world; some ecologists refer to Madagascar as the "sixth continent".

The eastern, or windward, side of the island is home to tropical rainforests, while the eastern and southern sides of the island, which lie in the rain shadow of the central highlands, are home to tropical dry forests, thorn forests, and deserts and xeric shrublands. Tropical and subtropical moist broadleaf forests, also known as tropical rain forests, are a tropical and subtropical biome. ... A rain shadow (or more accurately, precipitation shadow) is a dry region on the surface of the Earth that is leeward or behind a mountain with respect to the prevailing wind direction. ... Introduction Tropical and subtropical dry broadleaf forests is a biome located at tropical and subtropical latitudes. ... Deserts and xeric shrublands is a biome in which the climate is very dry, either hot or cold It is characterized by water : almost none temperature : hot or cold soil : very limited plants : very sparse (succulents) animal : very sparse (insect, reptiles, arachnids, nocturnal birds) Colorados San Luis Valley is...

Economy

Main article: Economy of Madagascar Economy - overview: Madagascar faces problems of chronic malnutrition, underfunded health and education facilities, a roughly 3% annual population growth rate, and severe loss of forest cover, accompanied by erosion. ...

Structural reforms began in the late 1980s, initially under pressure from international financial institutions. An initial privatization program (1988-1993) and the development of an export processing zone (EPZ) regime in the early 1990s were key milestones in this effort. A period of significant stagnation from 1991-96 was followed by 5 years of solid economic growth and accelerating foreign investment, driven by a second wave of privatizations and EPZ development. Although structural reforms advanced, governance remained weak and perceived corruption in Madagascar was extremely high. During the period of solid growth from 1997 through 2001, poverty levels remained stubbornly high, especially in rural areas. A six-month political crisis triggered by a dispute over the outcome of the presidential elections held in December 2001 virtually halted economic activity in much of the country in the first half of 2002. Real GDP dropped 12.7% for the year 2002, inflows of foreign investment dropped sharply, and the crisis tarnished Madagascar's budding reputation as an AGOA standout and a promising place to invest. Following resolution of the crisis, the economy rebounded with GDP growth of over 9% in 2003. Currency depreciation and rising inflation in 2004 have hampered economic performance and growth for the year is projected to be 5 percent, with 15% inflation. Export processing zones or EPZs have loosened tax and labor restrictions and their primary purpose is to generate export revenues in poor developing countries. ... For other uses, see number 96. ... This article is about political corruption. ... Poverty is the state of being without, often associated with need, hardship and lack of resources across a wide range of cirstance. ... December is the twelfth and last month of the year in the Gregorian Calendar and one of seven Gregorian months with the length of 31 days. ... In economics, the gross domestic product (GDP) is a measure of the amount of the economic production of a particular territory in financial capital terms during a specific time period. ... Investment is a term with several closely-related meanings in finance and economics. ... Inflation rates of five core members of the G8 from 1950 to 1994. ...

Following the 2002 political crisis, the government attempted to set a new course and build confidence, in coordination with international financial institutions and the donor community. Madagascar developed a recovery plan in collaboration with the private sector and donors and presented it at a "Friends of Madagascar" conference organized by the World Bank in Paris in July 2002. Donor countries demonstrated their confidence in the new government by pledging $1 billion in assistance over five years. The Malagasy Government identified road infrastructure as its principle priority and underlined its commitment to public-private partnership by establishing a joint public-private sector steering committee. The Global Financial System refers to those financial institutions and regulations that act on the international level, as opposed to those that act on a national or regional level. ... The International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (IBRD, in Romance languages: BIRD), better known as the World Bank, is an international organization whose original mission was to finance the reconstruction of nations devastated by WWII. Now, its mission has expanded to fight poverty by means of financing states. ... July is the seventh month of the year in the Gregorian Calendar and one of seven Gregorian months with the length of 31 days. ...

In 2000, Madagascar embarked on the preparation of a Poverty Reduction Strategy Paper (PRSP) under the Heavily Indebted Poor Countries (HIPC) Initiative. The boards of the IMF and World Bank agreed in December 2000 that the country had reached the decision point for debt relief under the HIPC Initiative and defined a set of conditions for Madagascar to reach the completion point. In October 2004, the boards of the IMF and the World Bank determined that Madagascar had reached the completion point under the enhanced HIPC Initiative. Poverty Reduction Strategy Papers are in many ways the replacement for Strategic Adjustment Plans, and are documents required by the IMF and World Bank before a country can be considered for debt relief within the HIPC programme. ... The Heavily Indebted Poor Countries (HIPC) initiative aims at assisting the worlds poorest countries by bringing their external debt to sustainable levels, conditional on their governments showing satisfactory performance levels. ... The flag of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) The International Monetary Fund (IMF) is the international organization entrusted with overseeing global financial system‘s current trade account balances of member states. ... December is the twelfth and last month of the year in the Gregorian Calendar and one of seven Gregorian months with the length of 31 days. ... October is the tenth month of the year in the Gregorian Calendar and one of seven Gregorian months with the length of 31 days. ...

The Madagascar-U.S. Business Council was formed in Madagascar in 2002. The U.S.-Madagascar Business Council was formed in the United States in May 2003, and the two organizations continue to explore ways to work for the benefit of both groups. May is the fifth month of the year in the Gregorian Calendar and one of seven Gregorian months with the length of 31 days. ...

The government of President Ravalomanana is aggressively seeking foreign investment and is tackling many of the obstacles to such investment, including combating corruption, reforming land-ownership laws, encouraging study of American and European business techniques, and active pursuit of foreign investors. President Ravalomanana rose to prominence through his agro-foods TIKO company, and is known for attempting to apply many of the lessons learned in the world of business to running the government.

Madagascar is the world's leading producer of vanilla, accounting for 70% of the world's export market. For other uses, see vanilla (disambiguation). ...

Foreign relations

Madagascar, which has historically been perceived as on the margin of mainstream African affairs, eagerly rejoined the African Union in July 2003 after a 14-month hiatus triggered by the 2002 political crisis. 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. Anthem: Let us all unite and celebrate together Official languages The African languages, as well as Arabic, English, French and Portuguese Some member states have other official languages. ... July is the seventh month of the year in the Gregorian Calendar and one of seven Gregorian months with the length of 31 days. ... North Korea, officially the Democratic Peoples Republic of Korea (DPRK; Korean: Chosŏn Minjujuŭi Inmin Konghwaguk; Hangul: 조선민주주의인민공화국; Hanja: 朝鮮民主主義人民共和國), is a country in eastern Asia, covering the northern half of the peninsula of Korea. ... The Republic of Cuba is an archipelago in the northern Caribbean that lies at the confluence of the Caribbean Sea, the Gulf of Mexico and the Atlantic Ocean. ... The Great Socialist Peoples Libyan Arab Jamahiriya or Libya (Arabic: ليبيا) is a country in North Africa, bordering the Mediterranean Sea, located between Egypt on the east, Sudan on the southeast, Chad and Niger on the south and Algeria and Tunisia to the west. ... Iran (Persian: ایران) is a Middle Eastern country located in southwestern Asia. ... 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. ... South Korea, officially the Republic of Korea (ROK; Korean: Daehan Minguk (Hangul: 대한 민국; Hanja: 大韓民國)), is a country in East Asia, covering the southern half of the Korean Peninsula. ... The Kingdom of Morocco is a country in northwest Africa. ...

Starting in 1997, globalization encouraged the government and President Ratsiraka 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 Comoros. Active relationships with Europe, especially France, Germany, and Switzerland, as well as with Britain, Russia, Japan, India, and China 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. ... Chichicastenango, Guatemala traditional market Market stall in internally displaced persons camp in Kitgum, northern Uganda Mercado dos Lavradores, Funchal (Madeira Islands) A market is a mechanism which allows people to trade, normally governed by the theory of supply and demand. ... Categories: Africa geography stubs | Eastern Africa ... The Indian Ocean is the third-largest body of water in the world, covering about 20% of the Earths water surface. ... The Republic of Mauritius is an island country in the southwest Indian Ocean, about 900 km east of Madagascar. ... 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. ... The Union of Comoros (until 2002 the Islamic Federal Republic of the Comoros) is principally a three-island country in southern Africa, situated 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. ... The French Republic or France (French: République française or France) is a country whose metropolitan territory is located in western Europe, and which is further made up of a collection of overseas islands and territories located in other continents. ... The Swiss Confederation or Switzerland is a landlocked federal state in Europe, with neighbours Germany, France, Italy, Austria and Liechtenstein. ... Official language Japanese Capital Tokyo Largest City Tokyo Emperor Akihito Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi Area  - Total  - % water Ranked 60th 377,835 km² 0. ... The Republic of India is the second most populous country in the world, with a population of more than one billion, and is the seventh largest country by geographical area. ... The Great Wall of China, stretching over 6,700 km, was erected beginning in the 3rd century BC to guard the north from raids by men on horses. ...

President Ravalomanana has stated that he welcomes relations with all countries interested in helping Madagascar to develop. He has consciously sought to strengthen relations with Anglophone countries as a means of balancing traditionally strong French influence. An anglophone is someone who speaks English natively or by adoption. ...

Demographics

Main article: Demographics of Madagascar Madagascars population is predominantly of mixed Asian and African origin. ...

Madagascar's population is predominantly of mixed Asian and African origin. Recent research suggests that the island was uninhabited until Indonesian seafarers arrived in roughly the first century A.D., probably by way of southern India and East Africa, where they acquired African wives and slaves. Subsequent migrations from both the Pacific and Africa further consolidated this original mixture, and 18 separate tribal groups emerged. Asian features are most predominant in the central highlands people, the Merina (3 million) and the Betsileo (2 million); the coastal people are of more clearly African origin. The term Asian can refer to something or someone from Asia. ... The Republic of Indonesia is located in the Malay Archipelago, the worlds largest archipelago, between Indochina and Australia, between the Indian and Pacific Oceans. ... The Republic of India is the second most populous country in the world, with a population of more than one billion, and is the seventh largest country by geographical area. ... The Merina is the largest ethnic group in Madagascar. ... The Betsileo along with the Merina, the ethnic group most representative of Madagascars Indo-Malayan origin. ...

The largest coastal groups are the Betsimisaraka (1.5 million) and the Tsimihety and Sakalava (700,000 each).

The Malagasy language is of Malayo-Polynesian origin and is generally spoken throughout the island. French is spoken among the educated population of this former French colony. English is becoming more widely spoken and in 2003 the government began a pilot project of introducing the teaching of English into the primary grades of 44 schools, with hopes of taking the project nationwide. The Malayo-Polynesian languages are a subgroup of the Austronesian languages. ... French (français, langue française) is one of the most important Romance languages, outnumbered in speakers only by Spanish and Portuguese. ... The English language is a West Germanic language that originates in England. ...

Most people practice traditional religions, which tend to emphasize links between the living and the dead. They believe that the dead join their ancestors in the ranks of divinity and that ancestors are intensely concerned with the fate of their living descendants. The Merina and Betsileo reburial practice of famadihana, or "turning over the dead" celebrate this spiritual communion. In this ritual, relatives' remains are removed from the family tomb, rewrapped in new silk shrouds, and returned to the tomb following festive ceremonies in their honor. An ancestor is a parent or (recursively) the parent of an ancestor. ...

About 45% of the Malagasy are Christian, divided almost evenly between Roman Catholic and Protestant. Many incorporate the cult of the dead with their religious beliefs and bless their dead at church before proceeding with the traditional burial rites. They also may invite a pastor to attend a famadihana. While many Christians continue these practices, others consider them to be superstitions that should be abandoned. Many of the Christian churches are influential in politics. In the coastal regions of the provinces of Mahajanga and Antsiranana (Diego Suarez), Muslims constitute a significant minority. Muslims are divided between those of Malagasy ethnicity, Indo-Pakistanis, and Comorians. The Roman Catholic Church, most often spoken of simply as the Catholic Church, is the largest Christian church, with over one billion members. ... Protestantism is a general grouping of denominations within Christianity. ... Mahajanga is a city and seaport on the north-west coast of Madagascar. ... Antsiranana, named Diégo-Suarez prior to 1975, is a city at the northern tip of Madagascar, in French colony in the late 19th century. ... A Muslim is a believer in or follower of Islam. ...

Culture

Main article: Culture of Madagascar

• Music of Madagascar
• List of writers from Madagascar

This section is a stub. You can help Wikipedia by expanding it (http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Madagascar&action=edit).
Madagascar is an island off the east coast of Africa in the Indian Ocean. ... African Writers (by country): This is a list of literary figures from the African continent, listed by country, including poets, novelists, childrens writers, essayists, and scholars, listed by country. ...

References

• CIA World Factbook
• US State Department [1] (http://www.state.gov/r/pa/ei/bgn/5474.htm)
• Willgoto Madagascar (http://www.willgoto.com/categories.aspx?Destination=10&Langue=1), Comprehensive web directory of Madagascar

World Factbook 2004 cover The World Factbook is an annual publication by the Central Intelligence Agency of the United States with basic almanac-style information about the various countries of the world. ... The United States Department of State, often referred to as the State Department, is the Cabinet-level foreign affairs agency of the United States government, equivalent to foreign ministries in other countries. ...

Miscellaneous topics

• Communications in Madagascar
• Transportation in Madagascar
• Military of Madagascar
• Foreign relations of Madagascar

Telephones - main lines in use: 33,000 (1995) Telephones - mobile cellular: 0 (1995) Telephone system: system is above average for the region domestic: open-wire lines, coaxial cables, microwave radio relay, and tropospheric scatter links international: submarine cable to Bahrain; satellite earth stations - 1 Intelsat (Indian Ocean) and 1 Intersputnik... Railways: total: 883 km narrow gauge: 883 km 1. ... Military branches: Popular Armed Forces (includes Intervention Forces, Development Forces, Aeronaval Forces - includes Navy and Air Force), Gendarmerie, Presidential Security Regiment. ... 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. ...