Madagascar :: History

MadagascarGreat Red Is visit Background Information government activity Formal Name body politic of Madagascar DTA code MA Government Type Republic Legal System based on French civil impartiality system and traditional Malagasy law has not accepted imperative ICJ jurisdiction. Foreign Relations Good relations with many countries, especially France, and the western countries of Africa. Holidays Jan. 1 - New Years twenty-four hours May 1 - Workers twenty-four hours May 24- OAU Day June 26- Independence Day Nov 1 - All Saints Day Dec 25- Christmas Dec 30- Republic Day biography The Malagasy ar of mixed Malayo-Indonesian and African-Arab ancestry. Indonesians be believed to have migrated to the island about B.C.E. 700. Archaeologists have found human remains dating back 2000 years. Madagascar was a favorite base for ocean pirates in the 1600s and 1700s, including the noted Captain Kidd. The French made the island a protectorate in 1885, and then in 1894-95 ended the monarchy. I n 1908 a colonial administration was set up, to which the Comoro Islands were attached. In World War II the British occupied Madagascar, which retained its ties to France. Madagascar became an independent member of the community in 1960. Economy Rated tenth poorest country in the world. Madagascar faces problems of degenerative malnutrition and severe loss of forest cover accompanied by erosion. Agriculture Provides almost 80% of exports, 16% of cultivated land is irrigated. Major crops include, coffee, vanilla, sugar cane, cloves, rice, bananas, peanuts simple spread cattle raising also extensive fishing. Exports and Imports Major exports are coffee, vanilla, cloves, and sugar. Main markets are France, USA, Germany, and Japan. Major Imports are detonator goods, oil, and consumer goods. Main suppliers are France, Japan, and Germany. acculturation Society There are some 20 ethnic groups of which principal ones are the Central Highlanders of mixed Arab, African, MalayoIndonsian a ncestry. Other groups include, Comorans, French, and IndoPakistanis. The estimated community as of July 2000 was 15,506,472 Language Languages are Malagasy and French. Religion About 55% hold indigenous beliefs, 40% Christian, and 5% Muslim Currency One Malagasy Franc equals one US dollar Geography place Southern Africa, island in the Indian Ocean Area Slightly less than double the size of Arizona Climate tropical along coast, arid in the south Natural Resources Graphite, Coal, Tar, Stones. Natural Hazards Periodic Cyclones Ports 15 major ports Airports 105 Major Cities and Points of Interest Capital Antananarivo The urban center is built on a Y shaped granite mountain surrounded by rice fields.Madagascar HistoryMadagascarGreat Red Island Background Information Government Formal Name Republic of Madagascar DTA code MA Government Type Republic Legal System based on French civil law system and traditional Malagasy law has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction. Foreign Relati ons Good relations with many countries, especially France, and the western countries of Africa. Holidays Jan. 1 - New Years Day May 1 - Workers Day May 24- OAU Day June 26- Independence Day Nov 1 - All Saints Day Dec 25- Christmas Dec 30- Republic Day History The Malagasy are of mixed Malayo-Indonesian and African-Arab ancestry. Indonesians are believed to have migrated to the island about B.C.E. 700. Archaeologists have found human remains dating back 2000 years. Madagascar was a favorite base for sea pirates in the 1600s and 1700s, including the famous Captain Kidd. The French made the island a protectorate in 1885, and then in 1894-95 ended the monarchy. In 1908 a colonial administration was set up, to which the Comoro Islands were attached. In World War II the British occupied Madagascar, which retained its ties to France. Madagascar became an independent member of the community in 1960. Economy Rated 10th poorest country in the world. Madagascar faces problems of chronic malnut rition and severe loss of forest cover accompanied by erosion. Agriculture Provides almost 80% of exports, 16% of cultivated land is irrigated. Major crops include, coffee, vanilla, sugar cane, cloves, rice, bananas, peanuts wide spread cattle raising also extensive fishing. Exports and Imports Major exports are coffee, vanilla, cloves, and sugar. Main markets are France, USA, Germany, and Japan. Major Imports are capital goods, oil, and consumer goods. Main suppliers are France, Japan, and Germany. Culture Society There are some 20 ethnic groups of which principal ones are the Central Highlanders of mixed Arab, African, MalayoIndonsian ancestry. Other groups include, Comorans, French, and IndoPakistanis. The estimated population as of July 2000 was 15,506,472 Language Languages are Malagasy and French. Religion About 55% hold indigenous beliefs, 40% Christian, and 5% Muslim Currency One Malagasy Franc equals one US dollar Geography Location Southern Africa, island in the Indian Oce an Area Slightly less than double the size of Arizona Climate Tropical along coast, arid in the south Natural Resources Graphite, Coal, Tar, Stones. Natural Hazards Periodic Cyclones Ports 15 major ports Airports 105 Major Cities and Points of Interest Capital Antananarivo The city is built on a Y shaped granite mountain surrounded by rice fields.