COUNTRY INFORMATION |
Introduction |
Lying in the Indian Ocean, Madagascar is the world's fourth-largest island. Its isolation means that there is a host of unique wildlife and plants. To the east, the large central plateau drops precipitously through forested cliffs to the coast; in the west, gentler gradients give way to fertile plains. It became independent from France in 1960, and after 18 years of radical socialism under Didier Ratsiraka, became a multiparty democracy. It is heavily dependent on the IMF as it tries to rebuild its agriculture-based economy. |
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Climate |
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Tropical Madagascar often has cyclones. The coastal lowlands are humid; rainfall averages 200 cm (79 in.) in the east, but under 80 cm (31 in.) in the southwest. The central plateau is cooler, with 100–150 cm (39–59 in.) of rain a year. |
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People |
Languages |
Malagasy, French |
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URBAN/RURAL POPULATION DIVIDE |
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The people of Madagascar, like their language, Malagasy, are essentially Malay–Indonesian in origin. Their ancestors migrated across the Indian Ocean in successive waves from the 1st century. Later migrants from the African mainland intermixed and provided the many African words in Malagasy. Arab traders provided another ingredient to the mix. The main ethnic division is between the central plateau and côtier peoples. Of more pronounced Malay extraction, the plateau Merina were Madagascar's historic rulers. They remain the social elite – to the resentment of the poorer côtiers, the group to which long-term ruler Didier Ratsiraka belonged. The extended family remains the focus of social life for the rural majority. |
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Economy |
GNP (US$) |
3869
|
M |
GNP World rank |
120
|
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Inflation |
12 |
% |
Unemployment |
No data |
% |
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StrengthsVaried agricultural base; vanilla, coffee, and clove exports. Offshore oil and gas. Prawns. Tourism. Literate workforce. WeaknessesLosing out to cheaper vanilla exporters. Vulnerability to drought and cyclone damage, severe in early 2000. Economic reforms yet to bear fruit. Not self-sufficient in rice, the food staple. |
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Politics |
Lower house |
Last election |
1998 |
Next election |
2003 |
Upper house |
Last election |
2001 |
Next election |
2007 |
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From 1975 until 2002 Madagascan politics was dominated by radical socialist president Didier Ratsiraka. A return to multipartyism resulted in his removal in 1993, but in 1997 he was returned to power. Continuing economic gloom saw him defeated in elections in 2001. Refusing to accept the victory of the liberal opposition leader Marc Ravalomanana, Ratsiraka precipitated an eight-month power struggle which violently divided the island. Eventually support for Ravalomanana proved overwhelming, and he was recognized internationally as president in June 2002. |
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International Affairs |
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Once-close ties with Moscow and North Korea waned as Madagascar cemented relations with its main Western trading partners, especially France and the USA. Since Zafy left office, cooperation with the IMF has improved too. Regionally, Madagascar has reestablished ties with South Africa and in 1994 joined COMESA. |
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Defence |
Expenditure (US$) |
41 |
M |
Portion of GDP |
1 |
% |
|
Army |
12 light tanks (PT-76) |
Navy |
None |
Airforce |
12 combat aircraft (MiG-17F, MiG-21FL) |
Nuclear capab. |
None |
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The army took a back seat during the political turmoil of 2002, in strong contrast to its intervention against federalist côtiers in 1992. |
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Resources |
Minerals |
Chromite, graphite, oil, mica, iron, bitumen, gemstones, marble, gas |
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Oil reserves (barrels) |
No data |
Oil production (barrels/day) |
Not an oil producer |
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Electricity is hydrogenerated. There are underexploited mineral reserves and offshore oil and gas. There were large finds of high-quality sapphires in 1998. |
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Environment |
Protected land |
2 |
% |
Part protected land |
1 |
% |
|
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Madagascar's environment is a unique resource; 80% of its plant and many animal species, such as the lemur, are found nowhere else. Aid donations help to combat deforestation and soil erosion. |
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Communications |
Main airport |
Ivato, Antananarivo |
Passengers per year |
707304 |
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Motorways |
0
|
km |
Roads |
5781
|
km |
Railways |
883
|
km |
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An extensive domestic air network – due for privatization – compensates for the facts that many roads are impassable during the rains and the rail network is very limited. Toamasina port handles about 70% of total traffic. |
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International Aid |
Donated (US$) |
Not applicable
|
M |
Received (US$) |
322
|
M |
|
In 1999 the IMF pledged assistance for fiscal and economic reforms. Emergency aid became a high priority after cyclone damage and heavy floods in early 2000. |
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Health |
Life expectancy |
53 |
Life expect. World rank |
151 |
Population per doctor |
10000 |
Infant mortality (per 1000 births) |
88 |
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Principal causes of death |
Malaria, enteric and respiratory diseases |
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Private health care was legalized in 1993. State care is free but inadequate. Malaria is at epidemic levels. There are outbreaks of bubonic plague. |
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Education |
Literacy |
67 |
% |
Expend. % GNP |
2 |
%
|
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PERCENTAGE OF POPULATION IN FULL TIME EDUCATION |
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Primary |
93 |
% |
Secondary |
16 |
% |
Tertiary |
2 |
% |
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Madagascar boasts one of Africa's highest literacy rates. Universal primary education will soon be based on French, not Malagasy. About 40% of children attend secondary school. |
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Criminality |
Crime rate trend |
Down 68% 1992–1994 |
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Murder |
0 |
per 100,000 population |
Rape |
1 |
per 100,000 population |
Theft |
71 |
per 100,000 population |
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Urban crime levels are rising, with theft a particular concern. The army faces accusations of abusing human rights and of shooting federalists in 1993. |
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Wealth |
Cars |
4 |
per 1,000 population |
Telephones |
3 |
per 1,000 population |
Televisions |
24 |
per 1,000 population |
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Most of Madagascar's people are terribly poor, although central plateau dwellers are richer than the côtier farmers and fishermen. |
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Media |
Newspapers |
There are 5 daily newspapers, including the Madagascar Tribune and Midi Madagasikara |
TV services |
1 state-owned service |
Radio services |
1 state-owned service, many independent stations |
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Tourism |
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With 5000 km (3100 miles) of tropical beaches and unique flora and fauna, Madagascar has great tourism potential. An important foreign exchange earner, tourism nonetheless remains underdeveloped. Tourist arrivals increased after the marked decline of 1991, thanks partly to restored political stability. |
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History |
Increasing European contacts after the 16th century culminated in the 1895 French invasion. Madagascar became a French colony and the Merina monarchy was abolished. - 1947–1948 French troops kill thousands in nationalist uprisings.
- 1960 Independence.
- 1975 Radical socialist Didier Ratsiraka takes power.
- 1990 Multiparty political reforms.
- 1991 Opposition Forces Vives (CFV) coalition set up; led by Albert Zafy. Mass strikes against regime.
- 1992 Civilian rule restored.
- 1993 Zafy's CFV defeats Ratsiraka's coalition, the MFM, in free elections.
- 1996 Zafy impeached.
- 1997 Ratsiraka elected president.
- 2002 Country divided after opposition leader Marc Ravalomanana claims presidential election victory.
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