| Geographical Information |
| Map Location |
Africa |
| Geographical Location |
20° 00' South Latitude
47° 00' East Longitude |
| Surface Area |
587,040 sq km |
| Climate |
Tropical along coast, temperate inland, arid in south |
| Natural Resources |
Graphite, chromite, coal, bauxite, salt, quartz, tar sands, semiprecious stones, mica, fish, hydropower |
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| Political Information |
 |
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| Country Name |
Republic of Madagascar |
| Capital City |
Antananarivo |
| Government Type |
Republic |
| Administrative Divisions |
6 provinces (faritany); Antananarivo, Antsiranana, Fianarantsoa, Mahajanga, Toamasina, Toliara |
| Independence Day |
26 June 1960 (from France) |
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| Demographical Information |
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| Population |
18,040,341 (July 2005 est.) |
| Nationality |
Malagasy |
| Ethnic Groups |
Malayo-Indonesian (Merina and related Betsileo), Cotiers (mixed African, Malayo-Indonesian, and Arab ancestry - Betsimisaraka, Tsimihety, Antaisaka, Sakalava), French, Indian, Creole, Comoran |
| Religion |
Indigenous beliefs 52%, Christian 41%, Muslim 7% |
| Languages |
French (official), Malagasy (official) |
| Population Growth Rate |
3.03% (2005 est.) |
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| Economical Information |
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| Currency |
Malagasy franc (MGF) |
| Industries |
Meat processing, soap, breweries, tanneries, sugar, textiles, glassware, cement, automobile assembly plant, paper, petroleum, tourism |
| Labor Force |
7.3 million (2000) |
| Labor Force by Sectors |
- |
| Agriculture Products |
Coffee, vanilla, sugarcane, cloves, cocoa, rice, cassava (tapioca), beans, bananas, peanuts; livestock products |
| Export Commodities |
Coffee, vanilla, shellfish, sugar; cotton cloth, chromite, petroleum products |
| Export Partners |
US 35.7%, France 30.7%, Germany 7.1%, Mauritius 4.4% (2004) |
| Import Commodities |
Capital goods, petroleum, consumer goods, food |
| Import Partners |
France 17.6%, China 11.1%, Hong Kong 6.7%, Iran 6.2%, South Africa 5.8% (2004) |
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| Transportation |
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| Railways |
732 km |
| Highways |
49,827 km |
| Pipelines |
- |
| Airports |
116 (2004 est.) |
| Ports and Harbors |
Antsiranana, Antsohimbondrona, Mahajanga, Toamasina, Toliara |
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| Communication |
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| Phone Code |
+261 |
| Internet Abbreviation |
.mg |
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| Other |
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| Short History |
Formerly an independent kingdom, Madagascar became a French colony in 1896, but regained its independence in 1960. During 1992-93, free presidential and National
Assembly elections were held, ending 17 years of single-party rule. In 1997, in the second presidential race, Didier RATSIRAKA, the leader during the 1970s and 1980s,
was returned to the presidency. The 2001 presidential election was contested between the followers of Didier RATSIRAKA and Marc RAVALOMANANA, nearly causing secession
of half of the country. In April 2002, the High Constitutional Court announced RAVALOMANANA the winner. |
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| www.kfrawy.com |
