Africa: Madagascar
About Madagascar
Formerly an independent kingdom, Madagascar became a French colony in 1886, 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.
| Vital Statistics | |
| Capitol City: | Antananarivo |
| Population: | 15,982,563 (July 2001 est.) |
| Percent below poverty: | 70% (1994 est.) |
| Language: | French (official), Malagasy (official) |
| Date of independence: | 26 June 1960 (from France) |
| Form of government: | republic |
| Title of Leader: | President, Prime Minister |
| Natural Resources: | graphite, chromite, coal, bauxite, salt, quartz, tar sands, semiprecious stones, mica, fish, hydropower |
| Environmental Issues: | 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 |
| Agricultural Products: | coffee, vanilla, sugarcane, cloves, cocoa, rice, cassava (tapioca), beans, bananas, peanuts; livestock products |
| Imports: | intermediate manufactures, capital goods, petroleum, consumer goods, food |
| Exports: | offee, vanilla, shellfish, sugar; cotton cloth, chromite, petroleum products |
| Trading Partners: | IMPORTS: France 34%, Hong Kong 6%, China 6%, Japan 5%, Singapore 4% (1999) EXPORTS: France 41%, US 19%, Germany 13%, UK 8%, Japan 6% (1999) |
Madagascar Headlines
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