Axion 3D Atlas/ATLAS.iso/stats/144.txt

Text File | 1998-01-23 | 13KB | 336 lines

{bitmap= 26,50,"flags\madagas.bmp"}
{bigtext=150,120,"Madagascar"}



{1}Geography{4}
{4}To see a map of Madagascar, click {z,"38.179490,-25.804060,56.781848,-11.542235",here}{4}!

{2}Location:{4} Southern Africa, island in the Indian Ocean, east of Mozambique

{2}Area:{4}
{3}total area:{4} 587,040 sq km
{3}land area:{4} 581,540 sq km
{3}comparative area:{4} slightly less than twice the size of Arizona

{2}Land boundaries:{4} 0 km

{2}Coastline:{4} 4,828 km

{2}Maritime claims:{4}
contiguous zone: 24 nm
{3}continental shelf:{4} 200 nm or 100 nm from the 2,500-m isobath
{3}exclusive economic zone:{4} 200 nm
{3}territorial sea:{4} 12 nm

{2}International disputes:{4} claims Bassas da India, Europa Island, Glorioso Islands, Juan de Nova
Island, and Tromelin Island (all administered by France)

{2}Climate:{4} tropical along coast, temperate inland, arid in south

{2}Terrain:{4} narrow coastal plain, high plateau and mountains in center
{3}lowest point:{4} Indian Ocean 0 m
{3}highest point:{4} Maromokotro 2,876 m

{2}Natural resources:{4} graphite, chromite, coal, bauxite, salt, quartz, tar sands, semiprecious stones,
mica, fish

{2}Land use:{4}
{3}arable land:{4} 4%
{3}permanent crops:{4} 1%
{3}meadows and pastures:{4} 58%
{3}forest and woodland:{4} 26%
{3}other:{4} 11%

{2}Irrigated land:{4} 9,000 sq km (1989 est.)

{2}Environment:{4}
{3}current issues:{4} soil erosion results from deforestation and overgrazing; desertification; surface
water contaminated with raw sewage and other organic wastes; several species of flora and fauna
unique to the island are endangered

{2}natural hazards:{4} periodic cyclones

{2}international agreements:{4} party to - Endangered Species, Marine Life Conservation, Nuclear Test
Ban; signed, but not ratified - Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Law of the Sea

{2}Geographic note:{4} world's fourth-largest island; strategic location along Mozambique Channel


{1}People{4}

{2}Population:{4} 13,670,507 (July 1996 est.)

{2}Age structure:{4}
{3}0-14 years:{4} 45% (male 3,105,958; female 3,034,279)
{3}15-64 years:{4} 52% (male 3,499,021; female 3,573,052)
{3}65 years and over:{4} 3% (male 224,710; female 233,487) (July 1996 est.)

{2}Population growth rate:{4} 2.83% (1996 est.)

{2}Birth rate:{4} 42.63 births/1,000 population (1996 est.)

{2}Death rate:{4} 14.38 deaths/1,000 population (1996 est.)

{2}Net migration rate:{4} 0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1996 est.)

{2}Sex ratio:{4}
{3}at birth:{4} 1.03 male(s)/female
{3}under 15 years:{4} 1.02 male(s)/female
{3}15-64 years:{4} 0.98 male(s)/female
{3}65 years and over:{4} 0.96 male(s)/female
{3}all ages:{4} 1 male(s)/female (1996 est.)

{2}Infant mortality rate:{4} 93.5 deaths/1,000 live births (1996 est.)

{2}Life expectancy at birth:{4}
{3}total population:{4} 52.19 years
{3}male:{4} 51.11 years
{3}female:{4} 53.3 years (1996 est.)

{2}Total fertility rate:{4} 5.89 children born/woman (1996 est.)

{2}Nationality:{4}
{3}noun:{4} Malagasy (singular and plural)
{3}adjective:{4} Malagasy

{2}Ethnic divisions:{4} Malayo-Indonesian (Merina and related Betsileo), Cotiers (mixed African,
Malayo-Indonesian, and Arab ancestry - Betsimisaraka, Tsimihety, Antaisaka, Sakalava), French,
Indian, Creole, Comoran

{2}Religions:{4} indigenous beliefs 52%, Christian 41%, Muslim 7%

{2}Languages:{4} French (official), Malagasy (official)

{2}Literacy:{4} age 15 and over can read and write (1990 est.)
{3}total population:{4} 80%
{3}male:{4} 88%
{3}female:{4} 73%


{1}Government{4}

{2}Name of country:{4}
{3}conventional long form:{4} Republic of Madagascar
{3}conventional short form:{4} Madagascar
{3}local long form:{4} Republique de Madagascar
{3}local short form:{4} Madagascar
{3}former:{4} Malagasy Republic

{2}Type of government:{4} republic

{2}Capital:{4} Antananarivo

{2}Administrative divisions:{4} 6 provinces (faritany); Antananarivo, Antsiranana, Fianarantsoa,
Mahajanga, Toamasina, Toliary

{2}Independence:{4} 26 June 1960 (from France)

{2}National holiday:{4} Independence Day, 26 June (1960)

{2}Constitution:{4} 19 August 1992 by national referendum

{2}Legal system:{4} based on French civil law system and traditional Malagasy law; has not accepted
compulsory ICJ jurisdiction

{2}Suffrage:{4} 18 years of age; universal

{2}Executive branch:{4}
{3}chief of state:{4} President Albert ZAFY (since 9 March 1993) was elected for a five-year term by
popular vote; election last held 10 February 1993 (next to be held NA 1998); results - Albert ZAFY
(UNDD) 67%; Didier RATSIRAKA (AREMA) 33%
{3}head of government:{4} Prime Minister Emmanuel RAKOTOVAHINY (since 30 October 1995) was
elected by the National Assembly
{3}cabinet:{4} Council of Ministers was appointed by the prime minister

{2}Legislative branch:{4} bicameral Parliament
Senate (Senat): two-thirds of upper house seats are to be filled from popularly elected regional
assemblies; the remaining third is to be filled by presidential appointment; decentralization and
formation of regional assemblies is not expected before 1997
National Assembly (Assemblee Nationale): elections last held 16 June 1993 (next to be held NA
June 1997); results - percent of vote by party NA; seats - (138 total) CFV coalition 76,
PMDM/MFM 16, CSCD 11, Famima 10, RPSD 7, various pro-Ratsiraka groups 10, others 8

{2}Judicial branch:{4} Supreme Court (Cour Supreme); High Constitutional Court (Haute Cour
Constitutionnelle)

{2}Political parties and leaders:{4} Committee of Living Forces (CFV), an alliance of National Union for
Development and Democracy (UNDD), Support Group for Democracy and Development in
Madagascar (CSDDM), Action and Reflection Group for the Development of Madagascar (GRAD),
Congress Party for Madagascar Independence - Renewal (AKFM-Fanavaozana), and some 12
other parties, trade unions, and religious groups; Militant Party for the Development of
Madagascar (PMDM/MFM), formerly the Movement for Proletarian Power, Manandafy
RAKOTONIRINA; Confederation of Civil Societies for Development (CSCD), Guy Willy
RAZANAMASY; Association of United Malagasys (Famima); Rally for Social Democracy (RPSD),
Pierre TSIRANANA

{2}Other political or pressure groups:{4} National Council of Christian Churches (FFKM); Federalist
Movement

{2}International organization participation:{4} ACCT, ACP, AfDB, CCC, ECA, FAO, G-77, IAEA, IBRD,
ICAO, ICC, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Intelsat, Interpol, IOC, ITU,
NAM, OAU, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UPU, WCL, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO,
WToO, WTrO

{2}Diplomatic representation in US:{4}
{3}chief of mission:{4} Ambassador Pierrot Jocelyn RAJAONARIVELO
{3}chancery:{4} 2374 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008
{3}telephone:{4} [1] [phone], 5526
{3}consulate(s) general:{4} New York

{2}US diplomatic representation:{4}
{3}chief of mission:{4} Ambassador Vicki J. HUDDLESTON
{3}embassy:{4} 14-16 Rue Rainitovo, Antsahavola, Antananarivo
{3}mailing address:{4} B. P. 620, Antananarivo
{3}telephone:{4} [261] (2) 212-57, 200-89, 207-18
{3}FAX:{4} [261] (2) 234-539

{2}Flag:{4} two equal horizontal bands of red (top) and green with a vertical white band of the same
width on hoist side


{1}Economy{4}

{2}Economic overview:{4} Madagascar is one of the poorest countries in the world, suffering from
chronic malnutrition, underfunded health and education facilities, a roughly 3% annual population
growth rate, and severe loss of forest cover, accompanied by erosion. Agriculture, including
fishing and forestry, is the mainstay of the economy, accounting for 35% of GDP and contributing
more than 70% of export earnings. Industry is largely confined to the processing of agricultural
products and textile manufacturing; it accounts for 15% of GDP. In 1986, the government
introduced a five-year development plan that stressed self-sufficiency in food (mainly rice) by
1990, increased production for export, and reduced energy imports. Subsequently, growth in
output has been held back because of protracted antigovernment strikes and demonstrations for
political reform. Since 1993, corruption and political instability have caused the economy and
infrastructure to decay further. Since April 1994, the government commitment to economic
reforms has been erratic. Enormous obstacles stand in the way of Madagascar's realizing its
considerable growth potential.

{2}GDP:{4} purchasing power parity - $11.4 billion (1995 est.)

{2}GDP real growth rate:{4} 2.7% (1995 est.)

{2}GDP per capita:{4} $820 (1995 est.)

{2}GDP composition by sector:{4}
{3}agriculture:{4} 35%
{3}industry:{4} 15%
{3}services:{4} 50% (1995 est.)

{2}Inflation rate (consumer prices):{4} 35% (1994 est.)

{2}Labor force:{4}
total workers: 4.9 million
workers not receiving money wages: 4.7 million (96% of total labor force); note - 4.3 million
workers are in subsistence agriculture
wage earners: 175,400 (3.6% of total work force)
wage earners by occupation: agriculture 45,500, domestic service 29,750, industry 26,250,
commerce 24,500, construction 19,250, service 15,750, transportation 10,500, other 3,500 (1985
est.)

{2}Unemployment rate:{4} NA%

{2}Budget:{4}
{3}revenues:{4} $250 million
{3}expenditures:{4} $265 million, including capital expenditures of $180 million (1991 est.)

{2}Industries:{4} meat processing, soap, breweries, tanneries, sugar, textiles, glassware, cement,
automobile assembly plant, paper, petroleum

{2}Industrial production growth rate:{4} 3.8% (1993 est.)

{2}Electricity:{4}
{3}capacity:{4} 220,000 kW
{3}production:{4} 560 million kWh
{3}consumption per capita:{4} 40 kWh (1993)

{2}Agriculture:{4} coffee, vanilla, sugarcane, cloves, cocoa, rice, cassava (tapioca), beans, bananas,
peanuts; livestock products

{2}Illicit drugs:{4} illicit producer of cannabis (cultivated and wild varieties) used mostly for domestic
consumption; transshipment point for heroin

{2}Exports:{4} $240 million (f.o.b., 1993 est.)
{3}commodities:{4} coffee 45%, vanilla 20%, cloves 11%, shellfish, sugar, petroleum products
{3}partners:{4} France, US, Germany, Japan, Russia

{2}Imports:{4} $510 million (f.o.b., 1993 est.)
{3}commodities:{4} intermediate manufactures 30%, capital goods 28%, petroleum 15%, consumer
goods 14%, food 13%
{3}partners:{4} France, Germany, Japan, UK, Italy, Netherlands

{2}External debt:{4} $4.3 billion (1993 est.)

{2}Economic aid:{4}
{3}recipient:{4} ODA, $318 million (1993)

{2}Currency:{4} 1 Malagasy franc (FMG) = 100 centimes

{2}Exchange rates:{4} Malagasy francs (FMG) per US$1 - 4,239.5 (November 1995), 3,067.3 (1994),
1,913.8 (1993), 1,864.0 (1992), 1,835.4 (1991)

{2}Fiscal year:{4} calendar year


{1}Transportation{4}

{2}Railways:{4}
{3}total:{4} 883 km
narrow gauge: 883 km 1.000-m gauge (1994)

{2}Highways:{4}
{3}total:{4} 34,750 km
{3}paved:{4} 5,352 km
{3}unpaved:{4} 29,398 km (1991 est.)

{2}Waterways:{4} of local importance only; isolated streams and small portions of Canal des
Pangalanes

{2}Ports:{4} Antsiranana, Antsohimbondrona, Mahajanga, Toamasina, Toliaria

{2}Merchant marine:{4}
{3}total:{4} 11 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 22,132 GRT/31,261 DWT
{3}ships by type:{4} cargo 5, chemical tanker 1, liquefied gas tanker 1, oil tanker 2, roll-on/roll-off cargo
2 (1995 est.)

{2}Airports:{4}
{3}total:{4} 105
{3}with paved runways over 3,047 m:{4} 1
{3}with paved runways 2,438 to 3,047 m:{4} 2
{3}with paved runways 1,524 to 2,437 m:{4} 3
{3}with paved runways 914 to 1,523 m:{4} 21
{3}with paved runways under 914 m:{4} 31
{3}with unpaved runways 1,524 to 2,437 m:{4} 2
{3}with unpaved runways 914 to 1,523 m:{4} 45 (1995 est.)


{1}Communications{4}

{2}Telephones:{4} 96,000 (1988 est.)

{2}Telephone system:{4} system is above average for Africa
{3}domestic:{4} open-wire lines, coaxial cables, microwave radio relay, and tropospheric scatter links
{3}international:{4} submarine cable to Bahrain; satellite earth stations - 1 Intelsat (Indian Ocean) and 1
Intersputnik (Atlantic Ocean Region)

{2}Radio broadcast stations:{4} AM 17, FM 3, shortwave 0

{2}Radios:{4} 2.565 million (1992 est.)

{2}Television broadcast stations:{4} 1 (repeaters 36)

{2}Televisions:{4} 260,000 (1992 est.)


{1}Defense{4}

{2}Branches:{4} Popular Armed Forces (includes Intervention Forces, Development Forces, Aeronaval
Forces - includes Navy and Air Force), Gendarmerie, Presidential Security Regiment

{2}Manpower availability:{4}
{3}males age 15-49:{4} 3,103,022
{3}males fit for military service:{4} 1,843,732
males reach military age (20) annually: 132,146 (1996 est.)

{2}Defense expenditures:{4} exchange rate conversion - $29 million, 1.0% of GDP (1994)