Changes

{{Country

{{Country

|name          =''Repoblikan'i Madagasikara''<br\>''République de Madagascar''  

|name          =''Repoblikan'i Madagasikara''<br />''République de Madagascar''  

|map         =Madagascar rel 2003.jpg

|map         =Madagascar rel 2003.jpg

|map2          =Location of Madagascar.png

|map2          =Location of Madagascar.png

==Geography==

==Geography==

*Area: 592,800 sq. km. (228,880 sq. mi.).

*Area: 592,800 sq. km. (228,880 sq. mi.).

*Cities: Capital--Antananarivo (pop. about 1,300,000). Other cities--Antsirabe (about 500,000), Mahajanga (about 400,000), Toamasina (about 450,000).  

*Cities: Capital—Antananarivo (pop. about 1,300,000). Other cities—Antsirabe (about 500,000), Mahajanga (about 400,000), Toamasina (about 450,000).  

*Terrain: Mountainous central plateau, coastal plain.  

*Terrain: Mountainous central plateau, coastal plain.  

*Climate: Moderate interior, tropical coasts.

*Climate: Moderate interior, tropical coasts.

*Religions: Traditional beliefs 52%, Christian 41%, Muslim 7%.  

*Religions: Traditional beliefs 52%, Christian 41%, Muslim 7%.  

*Languages: Malagasy (official), French (official), English (official).

*Languages: Malagasy (official), French (official), English (official).

*Education: Years compulsory--5. Attendance--65%. Literacy--70.7%.  

*Education: Years compulsory—5. Attendance—65%. Literacy—70.7%.  

*Health: Infant mortality rate--76/1,000. Life expectancy--55.6 yrs.  

*Health: Infant mortality rate—76/1,000. Life expectancy—55.6 yrs.  

*Work force (2000): 8 million. Agriculture--80%; industry--7%.  

*Work force (2000): 8 million. Agriculture—80%; industry—7%.  

==Government==

==Government==

===Principal Government Officials===

===Principal Government Officials===

*President--Hery Rajaonarimampianina

*President—Hery Rajaonarimampianina

*Prime Minister--Jean Ravelonarivo

*Prime Minister—Jean Ravelonarivo

*Minister of National Defense--Cecile Marie Ange Manorohanta

*Minister of National Defense—Cecile Marie Ange Manorohanta

*Minister of Finance and Budget--Haja Nirina Razafinjatovo

*Minister of Finance and Budget—Haja Nirina Razafinjatovo

*Minister of Financial Reform--Marius Ratolojanahary  

*Minister of Financial Reform—Marius Ratolojanahary  

*Minister of Foreign Affairs--Marcel Ranjeva  

*Minister of Foreign Affairs—Marcel Ranjeva  

===Political Conditions===

===Political Conditions===

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 Betsimisarka tribe and Ravalomanana comes from the highland Merina tribe.  

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 Betsimisarka tribe and Ravalomanana comes from the highland Merina tribe.  

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.  

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.  

Following the crisis of 2002, the President replaced provincial governors with appointed PDSs (Presidents des Delegations Speciales). This effectively put an end to the "autonomous provinces," although they nominally remain in place because they are included in the constitution. 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. Rumors about the dissolution of the autonomous provinces had been around for some time, and on April 4, 2007 a constitutional referendum was held, in which the majority of the voters backed a revised constitution without any provinces. The new regions will become the highest level of subdivision.

Following the crisis of 2002, the President replaced provincial governors with appointed PDSs (Presidents des Delegations Speciales). This effectively put an end to the "autonomous provinces," although they nominally remain in place because they are included in the constitution. 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. Rumors about the dissolution of the autonomous provinces had been around for some time, and on April 4, 2007 a constitutional referendum was held, in which the majority of the voters backed a revised constitution without any provinces. The new regions will become the highest level of subdivision.

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, and joined the Southern African Development Community (SADC) in 2006. 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.  

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, and joined the Southern African Development Community (SADC) in 2006. 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.  

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, Reunion, and the Comoros Islands. Active relationships with Europe, especially France, Germany, and Switzerland, as well as with the United Kingdom, Russia, Japan, India, and China have been strong since independence.  

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, Reunion, and the Comoros Islands. Active relationships with Europe, especially France, Germany, and Switzerland, as well as with the United Kingdom, Russia, Japan, India, and China have been strong since independence.  

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.  

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.  

*Unemployment: no reliable data available.

*Unemployment: no reliable data available.

*Natural resources: Graphite, chrome, coal, bauxite, ilmenite, nickel, gold, tar sands, semiprecious stones, and hardwoods.

*Natural resources: Graphite, chrome, coal, bauxite, ilmenite, nickel, gold, tar sands, semiprecious stones, and hardwoods.

*Agriculture (26.8% of GDP, 2007 est.): Products--rice, livestock, seafood, coffee, vanilla, sugar, cloves, cotton, sisal, peanuts, and tobacco.  

*Agriculture (26.8% of GDP, 2007 est.): Products—rice, livestock, seafood, coffee, vanilla, sugar, cloves, cotton, sisal, peanuts, and tobacco.  

*Industry (15.8% of GDP, 2007 est.): Types--processed food, clothing, textiles, mining, paper, refined petroleum products, glassware, construction, soap, cement, tanning.

*Industry (15.8% of GDP, 2007 est.): Types—processed food, clothing, textiles, mining, paper, refined petroleum products, glassware, construction, soap, cement, tanning.

*Trade: Exports (2007, f.o.b.) $989 million: apparel, shrimp, vanilla, coffee, cloves, graphite, essential oils, industrial minerals and gemstones. Major export markets--France, U.S., Germany, Italy, U.K. Imports (2007, f.o.b.) $1.933 billion: foodstuffs, fuel and energy, capital goods, vehicles, consumer goods and electronics. Major suppliers--France, China, Iran, Mauritius, Hong Kong.  

*Trade: Exports (2007, f.o.b.) $989 million: apparel, shrimp, vanilla, coffee, cloves, graphite, essential oils, industrial minerals and gemstones. Major export markets—France, U.S., Germany, Italy, U.K. Imports (2007, f.o.b.) $1.933 billion: foodstuffs, fuel and energy, capital goods, vehicles, consumer goods and electronics. Major suppliers—France, China, Iran, Mauritius, Hong Kong.  

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 principal priority and underlined its commitment to public-private partnership by establishing a joint public-private sector steering committee.  

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 principal priority and underlined its commitment to public-private partnership by establishing a joint public-private sector steering committee.  

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.  

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.  

Malagasy troops fought in France, Morocco, and Syria during [[World War I]]. In [[World War II]], Madagascar was under [[Vichy]] control.  The Allies were concerned about the strategic island being used as a base by the Germans or Japanese, and on May of 1942, British forces landed at Diego Suarez at the northern tip of the island, supported by two [[aircraft carrier]]s.  Vichy forces in the area surrendered a week later, and the rest of the island had followed suit by November.  In January 1943, administration of Madagascar was turned over to the [[Free French]].<ref>Chronicle of the 20th century, ed. by Clifton Daniel, Chronicle Publications, 1987</ref>

Malagasy troops fought in France, Morocco, and Syria during [[World War I]]. In [[World War II]], Madagascar was under [[Vichy]] control.  The Allies were concerned about the strategic island being used as a base by the Germans or Japanese, and on May 1942, British forces landed at Diego Suarez at the northern tip of the island, supported by two [[aircraft carrier]]s.  Vichy forces in the area surrendered a week later, and the rest of the island had followed suit by November.  In January 1943, administration of Madagascar was turned over to the [[Free French]].<ref>Chronicle of the 20th century, ed. by Clifton Daniel, Chronicle Publications, 1987</ref>

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.  

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.