Madagascar - Definition and Overview

This article is about the country. For the movie see Madagascar (movie)

Madagascar is an island nation in the Indian Ocean, off the eastern coast of Africa. Madagascar is the 4th largest island in the world. It is the home of five percent of the world's plant and animal species, 80 per cent of them unique to Madagascar. Most famous among those are the lemurs. Madagascar and Mauritania are the only countries not to use a decimal currency.

Republique de Madagascar
Repoblikan'i Madagasikara

<tr><td align="center" width="140px">(In Detail) (Full size)
National motto: Tanindrazana, Fahafahana, Fandrosoana (Fatherland, Liberty, Progress)
Official language	Malagasy, French
Capital	Antananarivo
Capital's coordinates	18° 55' S, 47° 31' E
President	Marc Ravalomanana
Prime Minister	Jacques Sylla
Area  - Total  - % water	Ranked 45th 587,040 km² 0.9%
Population  - Total (2000)  - Density	Ranked 56th 15,506,472 26.4/km²
GDP (PPP)  - Total (Year)  - GDP/head	Ranked 123rd $12,590 million $800
Currency	Ariary
Time zone	UTC +3
Independence	26 June, 1960, from France
National anthem	Ry Tanindraza nay malala ô (Oh, Our Beloved Fatherland)
Internet TLD	.mg
Calling Code	261

History

Main article: History of Madagascar

The first human settlement in Madagascar probably dates from the 4th century.

Politics

Main article: Politics of Madagascar

Provinces

Main article: Provinces of Madagascar

Madagascar has six provinces, each named for their capital. They are:

• Antananarivo province
• Antsiranana province
• Fianarantsoa province
• Mahajanga province
• Toamasina province
• Toliara province

Map of Madagascar

Geography

Main article: Geography of Madagascar

Economy

Main article: Economy of Madagascar

Demographics

Main article: Demographics of Madagascar

Culture

Main article: Culture of Madagascar

• Music of Madagascar
• List of writers from Madagascar

Miscellaneous topics

• Communications in Madagascar
• Ecoregions of Madagascar
• Transportation in Madagascar
• Military of Madagascar
• Foreign relations of Madagascar