Population: 18,040,341 (July 2005 est.)
Capital: Antananarivo
Languages: Having
discarded past socialist economic policies, Madagascar has since the mid 1990s followed a World Bank and IMF led policy of
privatization and liberalization. This strategy placed the country on a slow and steady growth path from an extremely low
level. Agriculture, including fishing and forestry, is a mainstay of the economy, accounting for more than one-fourth of GDP
and employing 80% of the population. Exports of apparel have boomed in recent years primarily due to duty-free access to the
United States. Deforestation and erosion, aggravated by the use of firewood as the primary source of fuel are serious
concerns. President RAVALOMANANA has worked aggressively to revive the economy following the 2002 political crisis, which
triggered a 12% drop in GDP that year. Poverty reduction and combating corruption will be the centerpieces of economic policy
for the next few years.
Religions: indigenous beliefs 52%, Christian 41%, Muslim 7%
Government: republic
Climate: .mg
Terrain: narrow coastal plain, high plateau and mountains in
center
Geography: 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.
Ethnic groups: purchasing power parity - $900 (2005 est.)
Economy:
GDP per capita: Malagasy (singular and plural)
Malagasy
GDP real growth: Malayo-Indonesian (Merina and related Betsileo), Cotiers (mixed African,
Malayo-Indonesian, and Arab ancestry - Betsimisaraka, Tsimihety, Antaisaka, Sakalava), French, Indian, Creole, Comoran
Unemployment rate: tropical along coast, temperate inland, arid in south
Internet country code: 6.5%
Dial code: +261
French (official), Malagasy (official)