Madagascar - Wikipedia Madagascar This article is about the island country. For the computer - animated film, see Madagascar ( 2005 film ). For other uses, see Madagascar ( disambiguation ) and Malagasy. Republic of Madagascar Repoblikan'i Madagasikara ( Malagasy ) République de Madagascar ( French ) Flag Seal Motto : `` Fitiavana, Tanindrazana, Fandrosoana '' ( Malagasy ) `` Amour, Patrie, Progrès '' ( French ) `` Love, Land of Our Ancestors, Progress '' Anthem : Ry Tanindrazanay malala ô ! Oh, Beloved Land of our Ancestors ! Location of Madagascar ( dark blue ) -- in Africa ( light blue & dark grey ) -- in the African Union ( light blue ) Capital and largest city Antananarivo 18 ° 55 ′ S 47 ° 31 ′ E ﻿ / ﻿ 18.917 ° S 47.517 ° E ﻿ / - 18.917 ; 47.517 Official languages Malagasy French Ethnic groups ( 2004 ) 26 % Merina 15 % Betsimisaraka 12 % Betsileo 7 % Tsimihety 6 % Sakalava 5 % Antaisaka 5 % Antandroy 24 % others Demonym Malagasy Madagascan Government Unitary semi-presidential constitutional republic President Hery Rajaonarimampianina Prime Minister Olivier Solonandrasana Legislature Parliament Upper house Senate Lower house National Assembly Independence from France 26 June 1960 Current constitution 17 November 2010 Area Total 587,041 km ( 226,658 sq mi ) ( 46th ) Water 5,501 km ( 2,124 sq mi ) Water ( % ) 0.9 % Population 2016 estimate 24,894,551 ( 52nd ) 1993 census 12,238,914 Density 35.2 / km ( 91.2 / sq mi ) ( 174th ) GDP ( PPP ) 2017 estimate Total $40.055 billion Per capita $1,563 GDP ( nominal ) 2017 estimate Total $10.372 billion Per capita $405 Gini ( 2010 ) 44.1 medium HDI ( 2015 ) 0.512 low 158th Currency Malagasy ariary ( MGA ) Time zone EAT ( UTC + 3 ) Summer ( DST ) not observed ( UTC + 3 ) Drives on the right Calling code + 261 ISO 3166 code MG Internet TLD. mg Madagascar ( / ˌmædəˈɡæskər / ; Malagasy : Madagasikara ), officially the Republic of Madagascar ( Malagasy : Repoblikan'i Madagasikara ( republiˈkjan madaɡasˈkjarə̥ ) ; French : République de Madagascar ), and previously known as the Malagasy Republic, is an island country in the Indian Ocean, off the coast of East Africa. The nation comprises the island of Madagascar ( the fourth - largest island in the world ), and numerous smaller peripheral islands. Following the prehistoric breakup of the supercontinent Gondwana, Madagascar split from the Indian peninsula around 88 million years ago, allowing native plants and animals to evolve in relative isolation. Consequently, Madagascar is a biodiversity hotspot ; over 90 % of its wildlife is found nowhere else on Earth. The island 's diverse ecosystems and unique wildlife are threatened by the encroachment of the rapidly growing human population and other environmental threats. The first archaeological evidence for human foraging on Madagascar dates to 2000 BC. Human settlement of Madagascar occurred between 350 BC and AD 550 by Austronesian peoples arriving on outrigger canoes from Borneo. These were joined around AD 1000 by Bantu migrants crossing the Mozambique Channel from East Africa. Other groups continued to settle on Madagascar over time, each one making lasting contributions to Malagasy cultural life. The Malagasy ethnic group is often divided into 18 or more sub-groups of which the largest are the Merina of the central highlands. Until the late 18th century, the island of Madagascar was ruled by a fragmented assortment of shifting sociopolitical alliances. Beginning in the early 19th century, most of the island was united and ruled as the Kingdom of Madagascar by a series of Merina nobles. The monarchy collapsed in 1897 when the island was absorbed into the French colonial empire, from which the island gained independence in 1960. The autonomous state of Madagascar has since undergone four major constitutional periods, termed republics. Since 1992, the nation has officially been governed as a constitutional democracy from its capital at Antananarivo. However, in a popular uprising in 2009, president Marc Ravalomanana was made to resign and presidential power was transferred in March 2009 to Andry Rajoelina. Constitutional governance was restored in January 2014, when Hery Rajaonarimampianina was named president following a 2013 election deemed fair and transparent by the international community. Madagascar is a member of the United Nations, the African Union ( AU ), the Southern African Development Community ( SADC ), and the Organisation Internationale de la Francophonie. Madagascar belongs to the group of least developed countries, according to the United Nations. Malagasy and French are both official languages of the state. The majority of the population adheres to traditional beliefs, Christianity, or an amalgamation of both. Ecotourism and agriculture, paired with greater investments in education, health, and private enterprise, are key elements of Madagascar 's development strategy. Under Ravalomanana, these investments produced substantial economic growth, but the benefits were not evenly spread throughout the population, producing tensions over the increasing cost of living and declining living standards among the poor and some segments of the middle class. As of 2017, the economy has been weakened by the 2009 -- 2013 political crisis, and quality of life remains low for the majority of the Malagasy population. Contents 1 Etymology 2 Geography 2.1 Climate 2.2 Ecology 2.3 Environmental issues 3 History 3.1 Early period 3.2 Arab and European contacts 3.3 Kingdom of Madagascar 3.4 French colonization 3.5 Independent state 4 Government 4.1 Structure 4.2 Politics 4.3 Security 4.4 Administrative divisions 4.5 United Nations involvement 5 Economy 5.1 Natural resources and trade 5.2 Infrastructure and media 6 Health 7 Education 8 Demographics 8.1 Ethnic groups 8.2 Languages 8.3 Religion 9 Culture 10 Arts 10.1 Sport and recreation 10.2 Cuisine 11 See also 12 Notes 13 References 14 External links Etymology In the Malagasy language, the island of Madagascar is called Madagasikara ( madaɡasjˈkjarə̥ ) and its people are referred to as Malagasy. The island 's appellation `` Madagascar '' is not of local origin, but rather was popularized in the Middle Ages by Europeans. The name Madageiscar was first recorded in the memoirs of 13th - century Venetian explorer Marco Polo as a corrupted transliteration of the name Mogadishu, the Somali port with which Polo had confused the island. On St. Laurence 's Day in 1500, Portuguese explorer Diogo Dias landed on the island and named it São Lourenço. Polo 's name was preferred and popularized on Renaissance maps. No single Malagasy - language name predating Madagasikara appears to have been used by the local population to refer to the island, although some communities had their own name for part or all of the land they inhabited. Geography Main article : Geography of Madagascar The terraced paddy fields of the central highlands of Madagascar ( left ) give way to tropical rainforest along the eastern coast ( center ) bordered by the shores of the Indian Ocean ( right ). At 592,800 square kilometres ( 228,900 sq mi ), Madagascar is the world 's 47th largest country and the fourth - largest island. The country lies mostly between latitudes 12 ° S and 26 ° S, and longitudes 43 ° E and 51 ° E. Neighboring islands include the French territory of Réunion and the country of Mauritius to the east, as well as the state of Comoros and the French territory of Mayotte to the north west. The nearest mainland state is Mozambique, located to the west. The prehistoric breakup of the supercontinent Gondwana separated the Madagascar -- Antarctica -- India landmass from the Africa -- South America landmass around 135 million years ago. Madagascar later split from India about 88 million years ago, allowing plants and animals on the island to evolve in relative isolation. Along the length of the eastern coast runs a narrow and steep escarpment containing much of the island 's remaining tropical lowland forest. To the west of this ridge lies a plateau in the center of the island ranging in altitude from 750 to 1,500 m ( 2,460 to 4,920 ft ) above sea level. These central highlands, traditionally the homeland of the Merina people and the location of their historic capital at Antananarivo, are the most densely populated part of the island and are characterized by terraced, rice - growing valleys lying between grassy hills and patches of the subhumid forests that formerly covered the highland region. To the west of the highlands, the increasingly arid terrain gradually slopes down to the Mozambique Channel and mangrove swamps along the coast. The grassy plains that dominate the western landscape are dotted with stony massifs ( left ), patches of deciduous forest, and baobab trees ( center ), while the south is characterized by desert and spiny forests ( right ). Madagascar 's highest peaks rise from three prominent highland massifs : Maromokotro 2,876 m ( 9,436 ft ) in the Tsaratanana Massif is the island 's highest point, followed by Boby Peak 2,658 m ( 8,720 ft ) in the Andringitra Massif, and Tsiafajavona 2,643 m ( 8,671 ft ) in the Ankaratra Massif. To the east, the Canal des Pangalanes is a chain of man - made and natural lakes connected by canals built by the French just inland from the east coast and running parallel to it for some 600 km ( 370 mi ). The western and southern sides, which lie in the rain shadow of the central highlands, are home to dry deciduous forests, spiny forests, and deserts and xeric shrublands. Due to their lower population densities, Madagascar 's dry deciduous forests have been better preserved than the eastern rain forests or the original woodlands of the central plateau. The western coast features many protected harbors, but silting is a major problem caused by sediment from the high levels of inland erosion carried by rivers crossing the broad western plains. Climate A Köppen climate classification map of Madagascar Biogeographic timetable of Madagascar over the last 200 million years See also : Geography of Madagascar § Climate The combination of southeastern trade winds and northwestern monsoons produces a hot rainy season ( November -- April ) with frequently destructive cyclones, and a relatively cooler dry season ( May -- October ). Rain clouds originating over the Indian Ocean discharge much of their moisture over the island 's eastern coast ; the heavy precipitation supports the area 's rain forest ecosystem. The central highlands are both drier and cooler while the west is drier still, and a semi-arid climate prevails in the southwest and southern interior of the island. Tropical cyclones annually cause damage to infrastructure and local economies as well as loss of life. In 2004 Cyclone Gafilo became the strongest cyclone ever recorded to hit Madagascar. The storm killed 172 people, left 214,260 homeless and caused more than US $250 million in damage. Ecology Main articles : Wildlife of Madagascar, Flora of Madagascar, Fauna of Madagascar, Agroecology in Madagascar, Ecoregions of Madagascar, and List of World Heritage Sites in Madagascar The island 's iconic traveller 's palm ( ravinala ) features in the national emblem. As a result of the island 's long isolation from neighboring continents, Madagascar is home to an abundance of plants and animals found nowhere else on Earth. Approximately 90 % of all plant and animal species found in Madagascar are endemic, including the lemurs ( a type of strepsirrhine primate ), the carnivorous fossa and many birds. This distinctive ecology has led some ecologists to refer to Madagascar as the `` eighth continent '', and the island has been classified by Conservation International as a biodiversity hotspot. More than 80 percent of Madagascar 's 14,883 plant species are found nowhere else in the world, including five plant families. The family Didiereaceae, composed of four genera and 11 species, is limited to the spiny forests of southwestern Madagascar. Four - fifths of the world 's Pachypodium species are endemic to the island. Three - fourths of Madagascar 's 860 orchid species are found here alone, as are six of the world 's nine baobab species. The island is home to around 170 palm species, three times as many as on all of mainland Africa ; 165 of them are endemic. Many native plant species are used as herbal remedies for a variety of afflictions. The drugs vinblastine and vincristine are vinca alkaloids, used to treat Hodgkin 's disease, leukemia, and other cancers, were derived from the Madagascar periwinkle. The traveler 's palm, known locally as ravinala and endemic to the eastern rain forests, is highly iconic of Madagascar and is featured in the national emblem as well as the Air Madagascar logo. The ring - tailed lemur is one of over 100 known species and subspecies of lemur found only in Madagascar. Like its flora, Madagascar 's fauna is diverse and exhibits a high rate of endemism. Lemurs have been characterized as `` Madagascar 's flagship mammal species '' by Conservation International. In the absence of monkeys and other competitors, these primates have adapted to a wide range of habitats and diversified into numerous species. As of 2012, there were officially 103 species and subspecies of lemur, 39 of which were described by zoologists between 2000 and 2008. They are almost all classified as rare, vulnerable, or endangered. At least 17 species of lemur have become extinct since humans arrived on Madagascar, all of which were larger than the surviving lemur species. A number of other mammals, including the cat - like fossa, are endemic to Madagascar. Over 300 species of birds have been recorded on the island, of which over 60 percent ( including four families and 42 genera ) are endemic. The few families and genera of reptile that have reached Madagascar have diversified into more than 260 species, with over 90 percent of these being endemic ( including one endemic family ). The island is home to two - thirds of the world 's chameleon species, including the smallest known, and researchers have proposed that Madagascar may be the origin of all chameleons. Endemic fish of Madagascar include two families, 15 genera and over 100 species, primarily inhabiting the island 's freshwater lakes and rivers. Although invertebrates remain poorly studied on Madagascar, researchers have found high rates of endemism among the known species. All 651 species of terrestrial snail are endemic, as are a majority of the island 's butterflies, scarab beetles, lacewings, spiders and dragonflies. Environmental issues Main articles : Deforestation in Madagascar and Illegal logging in Madagascar Tavy ( slash - and - burn ) destruction of native forest habitat is widespread ( left ), causing massive erosion ( center ) and silting of rivers ( right ). Madagascar 's varied fauna and flora are endangered by human activity. Since the arrival of humans around 2,350 years ago, Madagascar has lost more than 90 percent of its original forest. This forest loss is largely fueled by tavy ( `` fat '' ), a traditional slash - and - burn agricultural practice imported to Madagascar by the earliest settlers. Malagasy farmers embrace and perpetuate the practice not only for its practical benefits as an agricultural technique, but for its cultural associations with prosperity, health and venerated ancestral custom ( fomba malagasy ). As human population density rose on the island, deforestation accelerated beginning around 1400 years ago. By the 16th century, the central highlands had been largely cleared of their original forests. More recent contributors to the loss of forest cover include the growth in cattle herd size since their introduction around 1000 years ago, a continued reliance on charcoal as a fuel for cooking, and the increased prominence of coffee as a cash crop over the past century. According to a conservative estimate, about 40 percent of the island 's original forest cover was lost from the 1950s to 2000, with a thinning of remaining forest areas by 80 percent. In addition to traditional agricultural practice, wildlife conservation is challenged by the illicit harvesting of protected forests, as well as the state - sanctioned harvesting of precious woods within national parks. Although banned by then - President Marc Ravalomanana from 2000 to 2009, the collection of small quantities of precious timber from national parks was re-authorized in January 2009 and dramatically intensified under the administration of Andry Rajoelina as a key source of state revenues to offset cuts in donor support following Ravalomanana 's ousting. It is anticipated that all the island 's rainforests, excluding those in protected areas and the steepest eastern mountain slopes, will have been deforested by 2025. Invasive species have likewise been introduced by human populations. Following the 2014 discovery in Madagascar of the Asian common toad, a relative of a toad species that has severely harmed wildlife in Australia since the 1930s, researchers warned the toad could `` wreak havoc on the country 's unique fauna. '' Habitat destruction and hunting have threatened many of Madagascar 's endemic species or driven them to extinction. The island 's elephant birds, a family of endemic giant ratites, became extinct in the 17th century or earlier, most probably due to human hunting of adult birds and poaching of their large eggs for food. Numerous giant lemur species vanished with the arrival of human settlers to the island, while others became extinct over the course of the centuries as a growing human population put greater pressures on lemur habitats and, among some populations, increased the rate of lemur hunting for food. A July 2012 assessment found that the exploitation of natural resources since 2009 has had dire consequences for the island 's wildlife : 90 percent of lemur species were found to be threatened with extinction, the highest proportion of any mammalian group. Of these, 23 species were classified as critically endangered. By contrast, a previous study in 2008 had found only 38 percent of lemur species were at risk of extinction. In 2003 Ravalomanana announced the Durban Vision, an initiative to more than triple the island 's protected natural areas to over 60,000 km ( 23,000 sq mi ) or 10 percent of Madagascar 's land surface. As of 2011, areas protected by the state included five Strict Nature Reserves ( Réserves Naturelles Intégrales ), 21 Wildlife Reserves ( Réserves Spéciales ) and 21 National Parks ( Parcs Nationaux ). In 2007 six of the national parks were declared a joint World Heritage Site under the name Rainforests of the Atsinanana. These parks are Marojejy, Masoala, Ranomafana, Zahamena, Andohahela and Andringitra. Local timber merchants are harvesting scarce species of rosewood trees from protected rainforests within Marojejy National Park and exporting the wood to China for the production of luxury furniture and musical instruments. To raise public awareness of Madagascar 's environmental challenges, the Wildlife Conservation Society opened an exhibit entitled `` Madagascar ! '' in June 2008 at the Bronx Zoo in New York. History Main article : History of Madagascar Early period Malagasy ancestry reflects a blend of Austronesian ( Southeast Asian ) and Bantu ( East African ) roots. The settlement of Madagascar is a subject of ongoing research and debate. Archaeological finds such as cut marks on bones found in the northwest and stone tools in the northeast indicate that Madagascar was visited by foragers around 2000 BC. Traditionally, archaeologists have estimated that the earliest settlers arrived in successive waves throughout the period between 350 BC and 550 AD, while others are cautious about dates earlier than 250 AD. In either case, these dates make Madagascar one of the last major landmasses on Earth to be settled by humans. Early settlers arrived in outrigger canoes from southern Borneo. Upon arrival, early settlers practiced slash - and - burn agriculture to clear the coastal rainforests for cultivation. The first settlers encountered Madagascar 's abundance of megafauna, including giant lemurs, elephant birds, giant fossa and the Malagasy hippopotamus, which have since become extinct due to hunting and habitat destruction. By 600 AD groups of these early settlers had begun clearing the forests of the central highlands. Arab traders first reached the island between the seventh and ninth centuries. A wave of Bantu - speaking migrants from southeastern Africa arrived around 1000 AD. They introduced the zebu, a type of long - horned humped cattle, which they kept in large herds. By 1600, irrigated paddy fields were developed in the central highland Betsileo Kingdom, and were extended with terraced paddies throughout the neighboring Kingdom of Imerina a century later. The rising intensity of land cultivation and the ever - increasing demand for zebu pasturage had largely transformed the central highlands from a forest ecosystem to grassland by the 17th century. The oral histories of the Merina people, who may have arrived in the central highlands between 600 and 1000 years ago, describe encountering an established population they called the Vazimba. Probably the descendants of an earlier and less technologically advanced Austronesian settlement wave, the Vazimba were assimilated or expelled from the highlands by the Merina kings Andriamanelo, Ralambo and Andrianjaka in the 16th and early 17th centuries. Today, the spirits of the Vazimba are revered as tompontany ( ancestral masters of the land ) by many traditional Malagasy communities. Arab and European contacts A pirate cemetery at Île Sainte - Marie Madagascar was an important transoceanic trading hub connecting ports of the Indian Ocean in the early centuries following human settlement. The written history of Madagascar began with the Arabs, who established trading posts along the northwest coast by at least the 10th century and introduced Islam, the Arabic script ( used to transcribe the Malagasy language in a form of writing known as sorabe ), Arab astrology, and other cultural elements. European contact began in 1500, when the Portuguese sea captain Diogo Dias sighted the island. The French established trading posts along the east coast in the late 17th century. From about 1774 to 1824, Madagascar gained prominence among pirates and European traders, particularly those involved in the trans - Atlantic slave trade. The small island of Nosy Boroha off the northeastern coast of Madagascar has been proposed by some historians as the site of the legendary pirate utopia of Libertalia. Many European sailors were shipwrecked on the coasts of the island, among them Robert Drury, whose journal is one of the few written depictions of life in southern Madagascar during the 18th century. The wealth generated by maritime trade spurred the rise of organized kingdoms on the island, some of which had grown quite powerful by the 17th century. Among these were the Betsimisaraka alliance of the eastern coast and the Sakalava chiefdoms of Menabe and Boina on the west coast. The Kingdom of Imerina, located in the central highlands with its capital at the royal palace of Antananarivo, emerged at around the same time under the leadership of King Andriamanelo. Kingdom of Madagascar Main article : Merina Kingdom King Andrianampoinimerina ( 1787 -- 1810 ) Upon its emergence in the early 17th century, the highland kingdom of Imerina was initially a minor power relative to the larger coastal kingdoms and grew even weaker in the early 18th century when King Andriamasinavalona divided it among his four sons. Following almost a century of warring and famine, Imerina was reunited in 1793 by King Andrianampoinimerina ( 1787 -- 1810 ). From his initial capital Ambohimanga, and later from the Rova of Antananarivo, this Merina king rapidly expanded his rule over neighboring principalities. His ambition to bring the entire island under his control was largely achieved by his son and successor, King Radama I ( 1810 -- 28 ), who was recognized by the British government as King of Madagascar. Radama concluded a treaty in 1817 with the British governor of Mauritius to abolish the lucrative slave trade in return for British military and financial assistance. Artisan missionary envoys from the London Missionary Society began arriving in 1818 and included such key figures as James Cameron, David Jones and David Griffiths, who established schools, transcribed the Malagasy language using the Roman alphabet, translated the Bible, and introduced a variety of new technologies to the island. Radama 's successor, Queen Ranavalona I ( 1828 -- 61 ), responded to increasing political and cultural encroachment on the part of Britain and France by issuing a royal edict prohibiting the practice of Christianity in Madagascar and pressuring most foreigners to leave the territory. Residents of Madagascar could accuse one another of various crimes, including theft, Christianity and especially witchcraft, for which the ordeal of tangena was routinely obligatory. Between 1828 and 1861, the tangena ordeal caused about 3,000 deaths annually. Among those who continued to reside in Imerina were Jean Laborde, an entrepreneur who developed munitions and other industries on behalf of the monarchy, and Joseph - François Lambert, a French adventurer and slave trader, with whom then - Prince Radama II signed a controversial trade agreement termed the Lambert Charter. Succeeding his mother, Radama II ( 1861 -- 63 ) attempted to relax the queen 's stringent policies, but was overthrown two years later by Prime Minister Rainivoninahitriniony ( 1852 -- 1865 ) and an alliance of Andriana ( noble ) and Hova ( commoner ) courtiers, who sought to end the absolute power of the monarch. Following the coup, the courtiers offered Radama 's queen Rasoherina ( 1863 -- 68 ) the opportunity to rule, if she would accept a power sharing arrangement with the Prime Minister -- a new social contract that would be sealed by a political marriage between them. Queen Rasoherina accepted, first wedding Rainivoninahitriniony, then later deposing him and wedding his brother, Prime Minister Rainilaiarivony ( 1864 -- 95 ), who would go on to marry Queen Ranavalona II ( 1868 -- 83 ) and Queen Ranavalona III ( 1883 -- 97 ) in succession. Over the course of Rainilaiarivony 's 31 - year tenure as prime minister, numerous policies were adopted to modernize and consolidate the power of the central government. Schools were constructed throughout the island and attendance was made mandatory. Army organization was improved, and British consultants were employed to train and professionalize soldiers. Polygamy was outlawed and Christianity, declared the official religion of the court in 1869, was adopted alongside traditional beliefs among a growing portion of the populace. Legal codes were reformed on the basis of British common law and three European - style courts were established in the capital city. In his joint role as Commander - in - Chief, Rainilaiarivony also successfully ensured the defense of Madagascar against several French colonial incursions. French colonization Main articles : Malagasy Protectorate and French Madagascar A French poster about the Franco - Hova War Primarily on the basis that the Lambert Charter had not been respected, France invaded Madagascar in 1883 in what became known as the first Franco - Hova War. At the end of the war, Madagascar ceded the northern port town of Antsiranana ( Diego Suarez ) to France and paid 560,000 francs to Lambert 's heirs. In 1890, the British accepted the full formal imposition of a French protectorate on the island, but French authority was not acknowledged by the government of Madagascar. To force capitulation, the French bombarded and occupied the harbor of Toamasina on the east coast, and Mahajanga on the west coast, in December 1894 and January 1895 respectively. A French military flying column then marched toward Antananarivo, losing many men to malaria and other diseases. Reinforcements came from Algeria and Sub-Saharan Africa. Upon reaching the city in September 1895, the column bombarded the royal palace with heavy artillery, causing heavy casualties and leading Queen Ranavalona III to surrender. France annexed Madagascar in 1896 and declared the island a colony the following year, dissolving the Merina monarchy and sending the royal family into exile on Réunion Island and to Algeria. A two - year resistance movement organized in response to the French capture of the royal palace was effectively put down at the end of 1897. Under colonial rule, plantations were established for the production of a variety of export crops. Slavery was abolished in 1896 and approximately 500,000 slaves were freed ; many remained in their former masters ' homes as servants or as sharecroppers ; in many parts of the island strong discriminatory views against slave descendants are still held today. Wide paved boulevards and gathering places were constructed in the capital city of Antananarivo and the Rova palace compound was turned into a museum. Additional schools were built, particularly in rural and coastal areas where the schools of the Merina had not reached. Education became mandatory between the ages of 6 to 13 and focused primarily on French language and practical skills. The Merina royal tradition of taxes paid in the form of labor was continued under the French and used to construct a railway and roads linking key coastal cities to Antananarivo. Malagasy troops fought for France in World War I. In the 1930s, Nazi political thinkers developed the Madagascar Plan that had identified the island as a potential site for the deportation of Europe 's Jews. During the Second World War, the island was the site of the Battle of Madagascar between the Vichy government and the British. The occupation of France during the Second World War tarnished the prestige of the colonial administration in Madagascar and galvanized the growing independence movement, leading to the Malagasy Uprising of 1947. This movement led the French to establish reformed institutions in 1956 under the Loi Cadre ( Overseas Reform Act ), and Madagascar moved peacefully towards independence. The Malagasy Republic was proclaimed on 14 October 1958, as an autonomous state within the French Community. A period of provisional government ended with the adoption of a constitution in 1959 and full independence on 26 June 1960. Independent state Main articles : Malagasy Republic, Democratic Republic of Madagascar, and Third Republic of Madagascar Philibert Tsiranana, the first president of Madagascar ( 1960 -- 72 ). Since regaining independence, Madagascar has transitioned through four republics with corresponding revisions to its constitution. The First Republic ( 1960 -- 72 ), under the leadership of French - appointed President Philibert Tsiranana, was characterized by a continuation of strong economic and political ties to France. Many high - level technical positions were filled by French expatriates, and French teachers, textbooks and curricula continued to be used in schools around the country. Popular resentment over Tsiranana 's tolerance for this `` neo-colonial '' arrangement inspired a series of farmer and student protests that overturned his administration in 1972. Gabriel Ramanantsoa, a major general in the army, was appointed interim president and prime minister that same year, but low public approval forced him to step down in 1975. Colonel Richard Ratsimandrava, appointed to succeed him, was assassinated six days into his tenure. General Gilles Andriamahazo ruled after Ratsimandrava for four months before being replaced by another military appointee : Vice Admiral Didier Ratsiraka, who ushered in the socialist - Marxist Second Republic that ran under his tenure from 1975 to 1993. This period saw a political alignment with the Eastern Bloc countries and a shift toward economic insularity. These policies, coupled with economic pressures stemming from the 1973 oil crisis, resulted in the rapid collapse of Madagascar 's economy and a sharp decline in living standards, and the country had become completely bankrupt by 1979. The Ratsiraka administration accepted the conditions of transparency, anti-corruption measures and free market policies imposed by the International Monetary Fund, World Bank and various bilateral donors in exchange for their bailout of the nation 's broken economy. Ratsiraka 's dwindling popularity in the late 1980s reached a critical point in 1991 when presidential guards opened fire on unarmed protesters during a rally. Within two months, a transitional government had been established under the leadership of Albert Zafy ( 1993 -- 96 ), who went on to win the 1992 presidential elections and inaugurate the Third Republic ( 1992 -- 2010 ). The new Madagascar constitution established a multi-party democracy and a separation of powers that placed significant control in the hands of the National Assembly. The new constitution also emphasized human rights, social and political freedoms, and free trade. Zafy 's term, however, was marred by economic decline, allegations of corruption, and his introduction of legislation to give himself greater powers. He was consequently impeached in 1996, and an interim president, Norbert Ratsirahonana, was appointed for the three months prior to the next presidential election. Ratsiraka was then voted back into power on a platform of decentralization and economic reforms for a second term which lasted from 1996 to 2001. The contested 2001 presidential elections in which then - mayor of Antananarivo, Marc Ravalomanana, eventually emerged victorious, caused a seven - month standoff in 2002 between supporters of Ravalomanana and Ratsiraka. The negative economic impact of the political crisis was gradually overcome by Ravalomanana 's progressive economic and political policies, which encouraged investments in education and ecotourism, facilitated foreign direct investment, and cultivated trading partnerships both regionally and internationally. National GDP grew at an average rate of 7 percent per year under his administration. In the later half of his second term, Ravalomanana was criticised by domestic and international observers who accused him of increasing authoritarianism and corruption. Opposition leader and then - mayor of Antananarivo, Andry Rajoelina, led a movement in early 2009 in which Ravalomanana was pushed from power in an unconstitutional process widely condemned as a coup d'état. In March 2009, Rajoelina was declared by the Supreme Court as the President of the High Transitional Authority, an interim governing body responsible for moving the country toward presidential elections. In 2010, a new constitution was adopted by referendum, establishing a Fourth Republic, which sustained the democratic, multi-party structure established in the previous constitution. Hery Rajaonarimampianina was declared the winner of the 2013 presidential election, which the international community deemed fair and transparent. Government Structure Main article : Government of Madagascar Antananarivo is the political and economic capital of Madagascar. Madagascar is a semi-presidential representative democratic multi-party republic, wherein the popularly elected president is the head of state and selects a prime minister, who recommends candidates to the president to form his cabinet of ministers. According to the constitution, executive power is exercised by the government while legislative power is vested in the ministerial cabinet, the Senate and the National Assembly, although in reality these two latter bodies have very little power or legislative role. The constitution establishes independent executive, legislative and judicial branches and mandates a popularly elected president limited to three five - year terms. The public directly elects the president and the 127 members of the National Assembly to five - year terms. All 33 members of the Senate serve six - year terms, with 22 senators elected by local officials and 11 appointed by the president. The last National Assembly election was held on 20 December 2013 and the last Senate election was held on 30 December 2015. At the local level, the island 's 22 provinces are administered by a governor and provincial council. Provinces are further sub-divided into regions and communes. The judiciary is modeled on the French system, with a High Constitutional Court, High Court of Justice, Supreme Court, Court of Appeals, criminal tribunals, and tribunals of first instance. The courts, which adhere to civil law, lack the capacity to quickly and transparently try the cases in the judicial system, often forcing defendants to pass lengthy pretrial detentions in unsanitary and overcrowded prisons. Antananarivo is the administrative capital and largest city of Madagascar. It is located in the highlands region, near the geographic center of the island. King Andrianjaka founded Antananarivo as the capital of his Imerina Kingdom around 1610 or 1625 upon the site of a captured Vazimba capital on the hilltop of Analamanga. As Merina dominance expanded over neighboring Malagasy peoples in the early 19th century to establish the Kingdom of Madagascar, Antananarivo became the center of administration for virtually the entire island. In 1896 the French colonizers of Madagascar adopted the Merina capital as their center of colonial administration. The city remained the capital of Madagascar after regaining independence in 1960. In 2017, the capital 's population was estimated at 1,391,433 inhabitants. The next largest cities are Antsirabe ( 500,000 ), Toamasina ( 450,000 ) and Mahajanga ( 400,000 ). Politics Main articles : Politics of Madagascar, Foreign relations of Madagascar, and Human rights in Madagascar Since Madagascar gained independence from France in 1960, the island 's political transitions have been marked by numerous popular protests, several disputed elections, an impeachment, two military coups and one assassination. The island 's recurrent political crises are often prolonged, with detrimental effects on the local economy, international relations and Malagasy living standards. The eight - month standoff between incumbent Ratsiraka and challenger Marc Ravalomanana following the 2001 presidential elections cost Madagascar millions of dollars in lost tourism and trade revenue as well as damage to infrastructure, such as bombed bridges and buildings damaged by arson. A series of protests led by Andry Rajoelina against Ravalomanana in early 2009 became violent, with more than 170 people killed. Modern politics in Madagascar are colored by the history of Merina subjugation of coastal communities under their rule in the 19th century. The consequent tension between the highland and coastal populations has periodically flared up into isolated events of violence. Madagascar has historically been perceived as being on the margin of mainstream African affairs despite being a founding member of the Organisation of African Unity, which was established in 1963 and dissolved in 2002 to be replaced by the African Union. Madagascar was not permitted to attend the first African Union summit because of a dispute over the results of the 2001 presidential election, but rejoined the African Union in July 2003 after a 14 - month hiatus. Madagascar was again suspended by the African Union in March 2009 following the unconstitutional transfer of executive power to Rajoelina. Madagascar is a member of the International Criminal Court with a Bilateral Immunity Agreement of protection for the United States military. Eleven countries have established embassies in Madagascar, including France, the United Kingdom, the United States, China and India. Human rights in Madagascar are protected under the constitution and the state is a signatory to numerous international agreements including the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the Convention on the Rights of the Child. Religious, ethnic and sexual minorities are protected under the law. Freedom of association and assembly are also guaranteed under the law, although in practice the denial of permits for public assembly has occasionally been used to impede political demonstrations. Torture by security forces is rare and state repression is low relative to other countries with comparably few legal safeguards, although arbitrary arrests and the corruption of military and police officers remain problems. Ravalomanana 's 2004 creation of BIANCO, an anti-corruption bureau, resulted in reduced corruption among Antananarivo 's lower - level bureaucrats in particular, although high - level officials have not been prosecuted by the bureau. Security Main article : Military of Madagascar The rise of centralized kingdoms among the Sakalava, Merina and other ethnic groups produced the island 's first standing armies by the 16th century, initially equipped with spears but later with muskets, cannons and other firearms. By the early 19th century, the Merina sovereigns of the Kingdom of Madagascar had brought much of the island under their control by mobilizing an army of trained and armed soldiers numbering as high as 30,000. French attacks on coastal towns in the later part of the century prompted then - Prime Minister Rainilaiarivony to solicit British assistance to provide training to the Merina monarchy 's army. Despite the training and leadership provided by British military advisers, the Malagasy army was unable to withstand French weaponry and was forced to surrender following an attack on the royal palace at Antananarivo. Madagascar was declared a colony of France in 1897. The political independence and sovereignty of the Malagasy armed forces, which comprises an army, navy and air force, was restored with independence from France in 1960. Since this time the Malagasy military has never engaged in armed conflict with another state or within its own borders, but has occasionally intervened to restore order during periods of political unrest. Under the socialist Second Republic, Admiral Didier Ratsiraka instated mandatory national armed or civil service for all young citizens regardless of gender, a policy that remained in effect from 1976 to 1991. The armed forces are under the direction of the Minister of the Interior and have remained largely neutral during times of political crisis, as during the protracted standoff between incumbent Ratsiraka and challenger Marc Ravalomanana in the disputed 2001 presidential elections, when the military refused to intervene in favor of either candidate. This tradition was broken in 2009, when a segment of the army defected to the side of Andry Rajoelina, then - mayor of Antananarivo, in support of his attempt to force President Ravalomanana from power. The Minister of the Interior is responsible for the national police force, paramilitary force ( gendarmerie ) and the secret police. The police and gendarmerie are stationed and administered at the local level. However, in 2009 fewer than a third of all communes had access to the services of these security forces, with most lacking local - level headquarters for either corps. Traditional community tribunals, called dina, are presided over by elders and other respected figures and remain a key means by which justice is served in rural areas where state presence is weak. Historically, security has been relatively high across the island. Violent crime rates are low, and criminal activities are predominantly crimes of opportunity such as pickpocketing and petty theft, although child prostitution, human trafficking and the production and sale of marijuana and other illegal drugs are increasing. Budget cuts since 2009 have severely impacted the national police force, producing a steep increase in criminal activity in recent years. Administrative divisions Main articles : Regions of Madagascar and Districts of Madagascar A map of Madagascar 's regions Madagascar is subdivided into 22 regions ( faritra ). The regions are further subdivided into 119 districts, 1,579 communes, and 17,485 fokontany. Regions and former provinces New regions Former provinces Area in km Population 2013 estimate Diana ( 1 ) Antsiranana 19,266 700,021 Sava ( 2 ) Antsiranana 25,518 980,807 Itasy ( 3 ) Antananarivo 6,993 732,834 Analamanga ( 4 ) Antananarivo 16,911 3,348,794 Vakinankaratra ( 5 ) Antananarivo 16,599 1,803,307 Bongolava ( 6 ) Antananarivo 16,688 457,368 Sofia ( 7 ) Mahajanga 50,100 1,247,037 Boeny ( 8 ) Mahajanga 31,046 799,675 Betsiboka ( 9 ) Mahajanga 30,025 293,522 Melaky ( 10 ) Mahajanga 38,852 289,594 Alaotra Mangoro ( 11 ) Toamasina 31,948 1,027,110 Atsinanana ( 12 ) Toamasina 21,934 1,270,680 Analanjirofo ( 13 ) Toamasina 21,930 1,035,132 Amoron'i Mania ( 14 ) Fianarantsoa 16,141 715,027 Haute - Matsiatra ( 15 ) Fianarantsoa 21,080 1,199,183 Vatovavy - Fitovinany ( 16 ) Fianarantsoa 19,605 1,416,459 Atsimo - Atsinanana ( 17 ) Fianarantsoa 18,863 898,702 Ihorombe ( 18 ) Fianarantsoa 26,391 312,307 Menabe ( 19 ) Toliara 46,121 592,113 Atsimo - Andrefana ( 20 ) Toliara 66,236 1,316,756 Androy ( 21 ) Toliara 19,317 733,933 Anosy ( 22 ) Toliara 25,731 671,805 Totals 587,295 21,842,167 United Nations involvement Madagascar became a Member State of the United Nations on 20 September 1960, shortly after gaining its independence on 26 June 1960. As of January 2017, 34 police officers from Madagascar are deployed in Haiti as part of the United Nations Stabilisation Mission in Haiti. Starting in 2015, under the direction of and with assistance from the UN, the World Food Programme started the Madagascar Country Programme with the two main goals of long - term development / reconstruction efforts and addressing the food insecurity issues in the southern regions of Madagascar. These goals plan to be accomplished by providing meals for specific schools in rural and urban priority areas and by developing national school feeding policies to increase consistency of nourishment throughout the country. Small and local farmers have also been assisted in increasing both the quantity and quality of their production, as well as improving their crop yield in unfavorable weather conditions. Economy Main articles : Economy of Madagascar and Tourism in Madagascar A proportional representation of Madagascar 's exports Embroidered tablecloths are produced for sale to tourists at Nosy Komba. During Madagascar 's First Republic, France heavily influenced Madagascar 's economic planning and policy and served as its key trading partner. Key products were cultivated and distributed nationally through producers ' and consumers ' cooperatives. Government initiatives such as a rural development program and state farms were established to boost production of commodities such as rice, coffee, cattle, silk and palm oil. Popular dissatisfaction over these policies was a key factor in launching the socialist - Marxist Second Republic, in which the formerly private bank and insurance industries were nationalized ; state monopolies were established for such industries as textiles, cotton and power ; and import -- export trade and shipping were brought under state control. Madagascar 's economy quickly deteriorated as exports fell, industrial production dropped by 75 percent, inflation spiked and government debt increased ; the rural population was soon reduced to living at subsistence levels. Over 50 percent of the nation 's export revenue was spent on debt servicing. The IMF forced Madagascar 's government to accept structural adjustment policies and liberalization of the economy when the state became bankrupt in 1982 and state - controlled industries were gradually privatized over the course of the 1980s. The political crisis of 1991 led to the suspension of IMF and World Bank assistance. Conditions for the resumption of aid were not met under Zafy, who tried unsuccessfully to attract other forms of revenue for the State before aid was once again resumed under the interim government established upon Zafy 's impeachment. The IMF agreed to write off half Madagascar 's debt in 2004 under the Ravalomanana administration. Having met a set of stringent economic, governance and human rights criteria, Madagascar became the first country to benefit from the Millennium Challenge Account in 2005. Madagascar 's GDP in 2015 was estimated at 9.98 billion USD, with a per capita GDP of $411.82. Approximately 69 percent of the population lives below the national poverty line threshold of one dollar per day. Over the last five years, the average growth rate has been 2.6 % but is expected to have reached 4.1 % in 2016, due to public works programs and a growth of the service sector. The agriculture sector constituted 29 percent of Malagasy GDP in 2011, while manufacturing formed 15 percent of GDP. Madagascar 's other sources of growth are tourism, agriculture and the extractive industries. Tourism focuses on the niche eco-tourism market, capitalizing on Madagascar 's unique biodiversity, unspoiled natural habitats, national parks and lemur species. An estimated 365,000 tourists visited Madagascar in 2008, but the sector declined during the political crisis with 180,000 tourists visiting in 2010. Natural resources and trade Toy animals made from raffia, a native palm Madagascar 's natural resources include a variety of unprocessed agricultural and mineral resources. Agriculture ( including raffia ), fishing and forestry are mainstays of the economy. Madagascar is the world 's principal supplier of vanilla, cloves and ylang - ylang. Other key agricultural resources include coffee, lychees and shrimp. Key mineral resources include various types of precious and semi-precious stones, and Madagascar currently provides half of the world 's supply of sapphires, which were discovered near Ilakaka in the late 1990s. Madagascar has one of the world 's largest reserves of ilmenite ( titanium ore ), as well as important reserves of chromite, coal, iron, cobalt, copper and nickel. Several major projects are underway in the mining, oil and gas sectors that are anticipated to give a significant boost to the Malagasy economy. These include such projects as ilmenite and zircon mining from heavy mineral sands near Tôlanaro by Rio Tinto, extraction of nickel near Moramanga and its processing near Toamasina by Sherritt International, and the development of the giant onshore heavy oil deposits at Tsimiroro and Bemolanga by Madagascar Oil. Exports formed 28 percent of GDP in 2009. Most of the country 's export revenue is derived from the textiles industry, fish and shellfish, vanilla, cloves and other foodstuffs. France is Madagascar 's main trading partner, although the United States, Japan and Germany also have strong economic ties to the country. The Madagascar - U.S. Business Council was formed in May 2003, as a collaboration between USAID and Malagasy artisan producers to support the export of local handicrafts to foreign markets. Imports of such items as foodstuffs, fuel, capital goods, vehicles, consumer goods and electronics consume an estimated 52 percent of GDP. The main sources of Madagascar 's imports include China, France, Iran, Mauritius and Hong Kong. Infrastructure and media Main articles : Transport in Madagascar, Telecommunications in Madagascar, and List of newspapers in Madagascar A news stand in Antananarivo In 2010, Madagascar had approximately 7,617 km ( 4,730 mi ) of paved roads, 854 km ( 530 mi ) of railways and 432 km ( 270 mi ) of navigable waterways. The majority of roads in Madagascar are unpaved, with many becoming impassable in the rainy season. Largely paved national routes connect the six largest regional towns to Antananarivo, with minor paved and unpaved routes providing access to other population centers in each district. There are several rail lines. Antananarivo is connected to Toamasina, Ambatondrazaka and Antsirabe by rail, and another rail line connects Fianarantsoa to Manakara. The most important seaport in Madagascar is located on the east coast at Toamasina. Ports at Mahajanga and Antsiranana are significantly less used due to their remoteness. The island 's newest port at Ehoala, constructed in 2008 and privately managed by Rio Tinto, will come under state control upon completion of the company 's mining project near Tôlanaro around 2038. Air Madagascar services the island 's many small regional airports, which offer the only practical means of access to many of the more remote regions during rainy season road washouts. Running water and electricity are supplied at the national level by a government service provider, Jirama, which is unable to service the entire population. As of 2009, only 6.8 percent of Madagascar 's fokontany had access to water provided by Jirama, while 9.5 percent had access to its electricity services. 56 % of Madagascar 's power is provided by hydroelectric power plants with the remaining 44 % provided by diesel engine generators. Mobile telephone and internet access are widespread in urban areas but remain limited in rural parts of the island. Approximately 30 percent of the districts are able to access the nations ' several private telecommunications networks via mobile telephones or land lines. Radio broadcasts remain the principal means by which the Malagasy population access international, national and local news. Only state radio broadcasts are transmitted across the entire island. Hundreds of public and private stations with local or regional range provide alternatives to state broadcasting. In addition to the state television channel, a variety of privately owned television stations broadcast local and international programming throughout Madagascar. Several media outlets are owned by political partisans or politicians themselves, including the media groups MBS ( owned by Ravalomanana ) and Viva ( owned by Rajoelina ), contributing to political polarization in reporting. The media has historically come under varying degrees of pressure over time to censor their criticism of the government. Reporters are occasionally threatened or harassed and media outlets are periodically forced to close. Accusations of media censorship have increased since 2009 due to the alleged intensification of restrictions on political criticism. Access to the internet has grown dramatically over the past decade, with an estimated 352,000 residents of Madagascar accessing the internet from home or in one of the nation 's many internet cafés in December 2011. Health Main article : Healthcare in Madagascar Maternal mortality declined after 1990 but rose sharply after 2009 due to political instability. Medical centers, dispensaries and hospitals are found throughout the island, although they are concentrated in urban areas and particularly in Antananarivo. Access to medical care remains beyond the reach of many Malagasy, especially in the rural areas, and many recourse to traditional healers. In addition to the high expense of medical care relative to the average Malagasy income, the prevalence of trained medical professionals remains extremely low. In 2010 Madagascar had an average of three hospital beds per 10,000 people and a total of 3,150 doctors, 5,661 nurses, 385 community health workers, 175 pharmacists and 57 dentists for a population of 22 million. 14.6 percent of government spending in 2008 was directed toward the health sector. Approximately 70 percent of spending on health was contributed by the government, while 30 percent originated with international donors and other private sources. The government provides at least one basic health center per commune. Private health centers are concentrated within urban areas and particularly those of the central highlands. Despite these barriers to access, health services have shown a trend toward improvement over the past twenty years. Child immunizations against such diseases as hepatitis B, diphtheria and measles increased an average of 60 percent in this period, indicating low but increasing availability of basic medical services and treatments. The Malagasy fertility rate in 2009 was 4.6 children per woman, declining from 6.3 in 1990. Teen pregnancy rates of 14.8 percent in 2011, much higher than the African average, are a contributing factor to rapid population growth. In 2010 the maternal mortality rate was 440 per 100,000 births, compared to 373.1 in 2008 and 484.4 in 1990, indicating a decline in perinatal care following the 2009 coup. The infant mortality rate in 2011 was 41 per 1,000 births, with an under - five mortality rate at 61 per 1,000 births. Schistosomiasis, malaria and sexually transmitted diseases are common in Madagascar, although infection rates of AIDS remain low relative to many countries in mainland Africa, at only 0.2 percent of the adult population. The malaria mortality rate is also among the lowest in Africa at 8.5 deaths per 100,000 people, in part due to the highest frequency use of insecticide treated nets in Africa. Adult life expectancy in 2009 was 63 years for men and 67 years for women. In 2017, Madagascar had an outbreak of the bubonic plague ( also known as the black death ) that affected urban areas. Education Main article : Education in Madagascar Education access and quality were prioritized under Ravalomanana. Prior to the 19th century, all education in Madagascar was informal and typically served to teach practical skills as well as social and cultural values, including respect for ancestors and elders. The first formal European - style school was established in 1818 at Toamasina by members of the London Missionary Society ( LMS ). The LMS was invited by King Radama I ( 1810 -- 28 ) to expand its schools throughout Imerina to teach basic literacy and numeracy to aristocratic children. The schools were closed by Ranavalona I in 1835 but reopened and expanded in the decades after her death. By the end of the 19th century Madagascar had the most developed and modern school system in pre-colonial Sub-Saharan Africa. Access to schooling was expanded in coastal areas during the colonial period, with French language and basic work skills becoming the focus of the curriculum. During the post-colonial First Republic, a continued reliance on French nationals as teachers, and French as the language of instruction, displeased those desiring a complete separation from the former colonial power. Consequently, under the socialist Second Republic, French instructors and other nationals were expelled, Malagasy was declared the language of instruction and a large cadre of young Malagasy were rapidly trained to teach at remote rural schools under the mandatory two - year national service policy. This policy, known as malgachization, coincided with a severe economic downturn and a dramatic decline in the quality of education. Those schooled during this period generally failed to master the French language or many other subjects and struggled to find employment, forcing many to take low - paying jobs in the informal or black market that mired them in deepening poverty. Excepting the brief presidency of Albert Zafy, from 1992 to 1996, Ratsiraka remained in power from 1975 to 2001 and failed to achieve significant improvements in education throughout his tenure. Education was prioritized under the Ravalomanana administration ( 2002 -- 09 ), and is currently free and compulsory from ages 6 to 13. The primary schooling cycle is five years, followed by four years at the lower secondary level and three years at the upper secondary level. During Ravalomanana 's first term, thousands of new primary schools and additional classrooms were constructed, older buildings were renovated, and tens of thousands of new primary teachers were recruited and trained. Primary school fees were eliminated and kits containing basic school supplies were distributed to primary students. Government school construction initiatives have ensured at least one primary school per fokontany and one lower secondary school within each commune. At least one upper secondary school is located in each of the larger urban centers. The three branches of the national public university are located at Antananarivo ( founded in 1961 ), Mahajanga ( 1977 ) and Fianarantsoa ( 1988 ). These are complemented by public teacher - training colleges and several private universities and technical colleges. As a result of increased educational access, enrollment rates more than doubled between 1996 and 2006. However, education quality is weak, producing high rates of grade repetition and dropout. Education policy in Ravalomanana 's second term focused on quality issues, including an increase in minimum education standards for the recruitment of primary teachers from a middle school leaving certificate ( BEPC ) to a high school leaving certificate ( BAC ), and a reformed teacher training program to support the transition from traditional didactic instruction to student - centered teaching methods to boost student learning and participation in the classroom. Public expenditure on education was 13.4 percent of total government expenditure and 2.9 percent of GDP in 2008. Primary classrooms are crowded, with average pupil to teacher ratios of 47 : 1 in 2008. Demographics Main article : Demographics of Madagascar In 2016, the population of Madagascar was estimated at 25 million, up from 2.2 million in 1900. The annual population growth rate in Madagascar was approximately 2.9 percent in 2009. Approximately 42.5 percent of the population is younger than 15 years of age, while 54.5 percent are between the ages of 15 and 64. Those aged 65 and older form three percent of the total population. Only two general censuses, in 1975 and 1993, have been carried out after independence. The most densely populated regions of the island are the eastern highlands and the eastern coast, contrasting most dramatically with the sparsely populated western plains. Ethnic groups Main article : Ethnic groups of Madagascar The regional distribution of Malagasy ethnic sub-groups The Malagasy ethnic group forms over 90 percent of Madagascar 's population and is typically divided into eighteen ethnic sub-groups. Recent DNA research revealed that the genetic makeup of the average Malagasy person constitutes an approximately equal blend of Southeast Asian and East African genes, although the genetics of some communities show a predominance of Southeast Asian or East African origins or some Arab, Indian or European ancestry. Southeast Asian origins -- specifically from the southern part of Borneo -- are most predominant among the Merina of the central highlands, who form the largest Malagasy ethnic sub-group at approximately 26 percent of the population, while certain communities among the coastal peoples ( collectively called côtiers ) have relatively stronger East African origins. The largest coastal ethnic sub-groups are the Betsimisaraka ( 14.9 percent ) and the Tsimihety and Sakalava ( 6 percent each ). Malagasy ethnic sub-groups Regional concentration Antankarana, Sakalava, Tsimihety Former Antsiranana Province Sakalava, Vezo Former Mahajanga Province Betsimisaraka, Sihanaka, Bezanozano Former Toamasina Province Merina Former Antananarivo Province Betsileo, Antaifasy, Antambahoaka, Antaimoro, Antaisaka, Tanala Former Fianarantsoa Province Mahafaly, Antandroy, Antanosy people, Bara, Vezo Former Toliara Province Chinese, Indian and Comorian minorities are present in Madagascar, as well as a small European ( primarily French ) populace. Emigration in the late 20th century has reduced these minority populations, occasionally in abrupt waves, such as the exodus of Comorans in 1976, following anti-Comoran riots in Mahajanga. By comparison, there has been no significant emigration of Malagasy peoples. The number of Europeans has declined since independence, reduced from 68,430 in 1958 to 17,000 three decades later. There were an estimated 25,000 Comorans, 18,000 Indians, and 9,000 Chinese living in Madagascar in the mid-1980s. Languages A Malagasy child Main articles : Malagasy language and Languages of Madagascar The Malagasy language is of Malayo - Polynesian origin and is generally spoken throughout the island. The numerous dialects of Malagasy, which are generally mutually intelligible, can be clustered under one of two sub-groups : eastern Malagasy, spoken along the eastern forests and highlands including the Merina dialect of Antananarivo and western Malagasy, spoken across the western coastal plains. French became the official language during the colonial period, when Madagascar came under the authority of France. In the first national Constitution of 1958, Malagasy and French were named the official languages of the Malagasy Republic. Madagascar is a francophone country, and French is mostly spoken as a second language among the educated population and used for international communication. No official languages were recorded in the Constitution of 1992, although Malagasy was identified as the national language. Nonetheless, many sources still claimed that Malagasy and French were official languages, eventually leading a citizen to initiate a legal case against the state in April 2000, on the grounds that the publication of official documents only in the French language was unconstitutional. The High Constitutional Court observed in its decision that, in the absence of a language law, French still had the character of an official language. In the Constitution of 2007, Malagasy remained the national language while official languages were reintroduced : Malagasy, French, and English. English was removed as an official language from the constitution approved by voters in the November 2010 referendum. The outcome of the referendum, and its consequences for official and national language policy, are not recognized by the political opposition, who cite lack of transparency and inclusiveness in the way the election was organized by the High Transitional Authority. Language Policy Over the years, Madagascar has had different language policies under different influences of authority. The indigenous language of Madagascar, Malagasy, was the predominant language on the island until the French colonization in 1897. Malagasy has developed throughout the decades from an oral language to a language that has a written system ( Latin orthography ), a change that was enforced by King Radama I, in 1823. Following the French colonization, the language of instruction and media changed from Malagasy to almost exclusively French. Moreover, the first French governor - general, Gallieni, also encouraged the French officials to learn Malagasy as well. After the advent of the Malagasy independence, the Madagascans tried to reinstate Malagasy as a language of instruction especially in secondary schools. However, the language policy was inadequately planned and Malagasy was struggling to surpass French as the language of instruction. Today, Madagascar has two official languages : Malagasy and French. Madagascar managed to maintain the indigenous language, Malagasy, in society and in schools despite the colonizing power. Malagasy and French are both the language of instruction in primary and secondary schools in Madagascar. The inclusion of the African language as a medium of instruction is usually uncommon in other colonized African countries. Religion Main article : Religion in Madagascar Religion in Madagascar ( 2010 ) according to the Pew Research Center Protestant ( 45.8 % ) Roman Catholic ( 38.1 % ) Other Christian ( 1.1 % ) Muslim ( 3 % ) Folk religions ( 4.5 % ) Unaffiliated ( 6.9 % ) A Famadihana reburial ceremony. According to the US Department of State, 41 % of Madagascans practice Christianity and 52 % practice traditional religion, which tends to emphasize links between the living and the razana ( ancestors ). The veneration of ancestors has led to the widespread tradition of tomb building, as well as the highlands practice of the famadihana, whereby a deceased family member 's remains are exhumed and re-wrapped in fresh silk shrouds, before being replaced in the tomb. The famadihana is an occasion to celebrate the beloved ancestor 's memory, reunite with family and community, and enjoy a festive atmosphere. Residents of surrounding villages are often invited to attend the party, where food and rum are typically served and a hiragasy troupe or other musical entertainment is commonly present. Consideration for ancestors is also demonstrated through adherence to fady, taboos that are respected during and after the lifetime of the person who establishes them. It is widely believed that by showing respect for ancestors in these ways, they may intervene on behalf of the living. Conversely, misfortunes are often attributed to ancestors whose memory or wishes have been neglected. The sacrifice of zebu is a traditional method used to appease or honor the ancestors. In addition, the Malagasy traditionally believe in a creator god, called Zanahary or Andriamanitra. According to the Pew Research Center, only 4.5 % of Madagascans practice folk religions and 85 % are Christian, with practitioners of Protestantism outnumbering adherents to Roman Catholicism. In 1818, the London Missionary Society sent the first Christian missionaries to the island, where they built churches, translated the Bible into the Malagasy language and began to gain converts. Beginning in 1835, Queen Ranavalona I persecuted these converts as part of an attempt to halt European cultural and political influence on the island. In 1869, a successor, Queen Ranavalona II, converted the court to Christianity and encouraged Christian missionary activity, burning the sampy ( royal idols ) in a symbolic break with traditional beliefs. Today, many Christians integrate their religious beliefs with traditional ones related to honoring the ancestors. For instance, they may bless their dead at church before proceeding with traditional burial rites or invite a Christian minister to consecrate a famadihana reburial. The Malagasy Council of Churches comprises the four oldest and most prominent Christian denominations of Madagascar ( Roman Catholic, Church of Jesus Christ in Madagascar, Lutheran, and Anglican ) and has been an influential force in Malagasy politics. Islam is also practiced on the island. Islam was first brought to Madagascar in the Middle Ages by Arab and Somali Muslim traders, who established several Islamic schools along the eastern coast. While the use of Arabic script and loan words and the adoption of Islamic astrology would spread across the island, the Islamic religion failed to take hold in all but a handful of southeastern coastal communities. Today, Muslims constitute 7 -- 3 percent of the population of Madagascar and are largely concentrated in the northwestern provinces of Mahajanga and Antsiranana. The vast majority of Muslims are Sunni. Muslims are divided between those of Malagasy ethnicity, Indians, Pakistanis and Comorians. More recently, Hinduism was introduced to Madagascar through Gujarati people immigrating from the Saurashtra region of India in the late 19th century. Most Hindus in Madagascar speak Gujarati or Hindi at home. Culture Main article : Culture of Madagascar Each of the many ethnic sub-groups in Madagascar adhere to their own set of beliefs, practices and ways of life that have historically contributed to their unique identities. However, there are a number of core cultural features that are common throughout the island, creating a strongly unified Malagasy cultural identity. In addition to a common language and shared traditional religious beliefs around a creator god and veneration of the ancestors, the traditional Malagasy worldview is shaped by values that emphasize fihavanana ( solidarity ), vintana ( destiny ), tody ( karma ), and hasina, a sacred life force that traditional communities believe imbues and thereby legitimates authority figures within the community or family. Other cultural elements commonly found throughout the island include the practice of male circumcision ; strong kinship ties ; a widespread belief in the power of magic, diviners, astrology and witch doctors ; and a traditional division of social classes into nobles, commoners, and slaves. Although social castes are no longer legally recognized, ancestral caste affiliation often continues to affect social status, economic opportunity and roles within the community. Malagasy people traditionally consult Mpanandro ( `` Makers of the Days '' ) to identify the most auspicious days for important events such as weddings or famadihana, according to a traditional astrological system introduced by Arabs. Similarly, the nobles of many Malagasy communities in the pre-colonial period would commonly employ advisers known as the ombiasy ( from olona - be-hasina, `` man of much virtue '' ) of the southeastern Antemoro ethnic group, who trace their ancestry back to early Arab settlers. The diverse origins of Malagasy culture are evident in its tangible expressions. The most emblematic instrument of Madagascar, the valiha, is a bamboo tube zither carried to Madagascar by early settlers from southern Borneo, and is very similar in form to those found in Indonesia and the Philippines today. Traditional houses in Madagascar are likewise similar to those of southern Borneo in terms of symbolism and construction, featuring a rectangular layout with a peaked roof and central support pillar. Reflecting a widespread veneration of the ancestors, tombs are culturally significant in many regions and tend to be built of more durable material, typically stone, and display more elaborate decoration than the houses of the living. The production and weaving of silk can be traced back to the island 's earliest settlers, and Madagascar 's national dress, the woven lamba, has evolved into a varied and refined art. The Southeast Asian cultural influence is also evident in Malagasy cuisine, in which rice is consumed at every meal, typically accompanied by one of a variety of flavorful vegetable or meat dishes. African influence is reflected in the sacred importance of zebu cattle and their embodiment of their owner 's wealth, traditions originating on the African mainland. Cattle rustling, originally a rite of passage for young men in the plains areas of Madagascar where the largest herds of cattle are kept, has become a dangerous and sometimes deadly criminal enterprise as herdsmen in the southwest attempt to defend their cattle with traditional spears against increasingly armed professional rustlers. Arts A Hiragasy dancer. A wide variety of oral and written literature has developed in Madagascar. One of the island 's foremost artistic traditions is its oratory, as expressed in the forms of hainteny ( poetry ), kabary ( public discourse ) and ohabolana ( proverbs ). An epic poem exemplifying these traditions, the Ibonia, has been handed down over the centuries in several different forms across the island, and offers insight into the diverse mythologies and beliefs of traditional Malagasy communities. This tradition was continued in the 20th century by such artists as Jean - Joseph Rabearivelo, who is considered Africa 's first modern poet, and Elie Rajaonarison, an exemplar of the new wave of Malagasy poetry. Madagascar has also developed a rich musical heritage, embodied in dozens of regional musical genres such as the coastal salegy or highland hiragasy that enliven village gatherings, local dance floors and national airwaves. Additionally, Madagascar also has a growing culture of classical music fostered through youth academies, organizations and orchestras that promote youth involvement in classical music. The plastic arts are also widespread throughout the island. In addition to the tradition of silk weaving and lamba production, the weaving of raffia and other local plant materials has been used to create a wide array of practical items such as floor mats, baskets, purses and hats. Wood carving is a highly developed art form, with distinct regional styles evident in the decoration of balcony railings and other architectural elements. Sculptors create a variety of furniture and household goods, aloalo funerary posts, and wooden sculptures, many of which are produced for the tourist market. The decorative and functional woodworking traditions of the Zafimaniry people of the central highlands was inscribed on UNESCO 's list of Intangible Cultural Heritage in 2008. Among the Antaimoro people, the production of paper embedded with flowers and other decorative natural materials is a long - established tradition that the community has begun to market to eco-tourists. Embroidery and drawn thread work are done by hand to produce clothing, as well as tablecloths and other home textiles for sale in local crafts markets. A small but growing number of fine art galleries in Antananarivo, and several other urban areas, offer paintings by local artists, and annual art events, such as the Hosotra open - air exhibition in the capital, contribute to the continuing development of fine arts in Madagascar. Sport and recreation Moraingy is a traditional martial art of Madagascar. A number of traditional pastimes have emerged in Madagascar. Moraingy, a type of hand - to - hand combat, is a popular spectator sport in coastal regions. It is traditionally practiced by men, but women have recently begun to participate. The wrestling of zebu cattle, which is named savika or tolon - omby, is also practiced in many regions. In addition to sports, a wide variety of games are played. Among the most emblematic is fanorona, a board game widespread throughout the Highland regions. According to folk legend, the succession of King Andrianjaka after his father Ralambo was partially due to the obsession that Andrianjaka 's older brother may have had with playing fanorona to the detriment of his other responsibilities. Western recreational activities were introduced to Madagascar over the past two centuries. Rugby union is considered the national sport of Madagascar. Soccer is also popular. Madagascar has produced a world champion in pétanque, a French game similar to lawn bowling, which is widely played in urban areas and throughout the Highlands. School athletics programs typically include soccer, track and field, judo, boxing, women 's basketball and women 's tennis. Madagascar sent its first competitors to the Olympic Games in 1964 and has also competed in the African Games. Scouting is represented in Madagascar by its own local federation of three scouting clubs. Membership in 2011 was estimated at 14,905. Because of its advanced sports facilities, Antananarivo gained the hosting rights for several of Africa 's top international basketball events, including the 2011 FIBA Africa Championship, the 2009 FIBA Africa Championship for Women, the 2014 FIBA Africa Under - 18 Championship, the 2013 FIBA Africa Under - 16 Championship, and the 2015 FIBA Africa Under - 16 Championship for Women. Cuisine Main article : Malagasy cuisine Malagasy cuisine reflects the diverse influences of Southeast Asian, African, Indian, Chinese and European culinary traditions. The complexity of Malagasy meals can range from the simple, traditional preparations introduced by the earliest settlers, to the refined festival dishes prepared for the island 's 19th - century monarchs. Throughout almost the entire island, the contemporary cuisine of Madagascar typically consists of a base of rice ( vary ) served with an accompaniment ( laoka ). The many varieties of laoka may be vegetarian or include animal proteins, and typically feature a sauce flavored with such ingredients as ginger, onion, garlic, tomato, vanilla, coconut milk, salt, curry powder, green peppercorns or, less commonly, other spices or herbs. In parts of the arid south and west, pastoral families may replace rice with maize, cassava, or curds made from fermented zebu milk. A wide variety of sweet and savory fritters as well as other street foods are available across the island, as are diverse tropical and temperate - climate fruits. Locally produced beverages include fruit juices, coffee, herbal teas and teas, and alcoholic drinks such as rum, wine, and beer. Three Horses Beer is the most popular beer on the island and is considered emblematic of Madagascar. The island also produces some of the world 's finest chocolate ; Chocolaterie Robert, established in 1940, is the most famous chocolate company on the island. 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Archived from the original on 28 January 2012. Retrieved 28 January 2012. CS1 maint : Unfit url ( link ) Jump up ^ Hurles ME, Sykes BC, Jobling MA, Forster P ; Sykes ; Jobling ; Forster ( 2005 ). `` The dual origin of the Malagasy in Island Southeast Asia and East Africa : evidence from maternal and paternal lineages ''. American Journal of Human Genetics. 76 ( 5 ) : 894 -- 901. PMC 1199379. PMID 15793703. doi : 10.1086 / 430051. Archived from the original on 6 May 2011. Retrieved 30 April 2011. CS1 maint : Multiple names : authors list ( link ) Jump up ^ Tofanelli S, Bertoncini S, Castrì L, Luiselli D, Calafell F, Donati G, Paoli G. ; Bertoncini ; Castrì ; Luiselli ; Calafell ; Donati ; Paoli ( 2009 ). `` On the origins and admixture of Malagasy : new evidence from high - resolution analyses of paternal and maternal lineages ''. Molecular Biology and Evolution. 26 ( 9 ) : 2109 -- 2124. PMID 19535740. doi : 10.1093 / molbev / msp120. CS1 maint : Multiple names : authors list ( link ) Jump up ^ Adelaar ( 2006 ), pp. 205 -- 235 Jump up ^ Rajaonarimanana ( 2001 ), p. 8 Jump up ^ `` Haute Cour Constitutionnelle De Madagascar, Décision n ° 03 - HCC / D2 Du 12 avril 2000 '' ( in French ). Saflii.org. 12 April 2000. Archived from the original on 10 July 2011. Retrieved 25 April 2010. Jump up ^ `` Madagascar : 2007 Constitutional referendum ''. Electoral Institute for the Sustainability of Democracy in Africa. June 2010. Archived from the original on 22 January 2012. Retrieved 22 January 2012. Jump up ^ Adelaar, K. Alexander ; Himmelmann, Nikolaus ( 12 September 2017 ). `` The Austronesian Languages of Asia and Madagascar ''. Psychology Press -- via Google Books. Jump up ^ `` Preliminary Information and Comments '' ( PDF ). Retrieved 2017 - 09 - 20. ^ Jump up to : `` Religions in Madagascar PEW - GRF ''. Globalreligiousfutures.org. Retrieved 2017 - 09 - 20. ^ Jump up to : Bearak, Barry ( 5 September 2010 ). `` Dead Join the Living in a Family Celebration ''. New York Times. p. A7. Archived from the original on 13 January 2012. Retrieved 13 January 2012. ^ Jump up to : Bradt ( 2011 ), pp. 13 -- 20 Jump up ^ Ade Ajayi ( 1989 ), p. 437 Jump up ^ Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor ( 2006 ). `` International Religious Freedom Report : Madagascar ''. U.S. Department of State. Archived from the original on 22 January 2012. Retrieved 22 January 2012. CS1 maint : Multiple names : authors list ( link ) Jump up ^ `` Report of the High Level Committee on the Indian Diaspora ''. Ministry of External Affairs, India. 2004. Archived from the original ( PDF ) on 31 August 2012. Retrieved 22 January 2012. Jump up ^ Middleton ( 1999 ), pp. 259 -- 262, 272, 309 Jump up ^ Ames ( 2003 ), p. 101 Jump up ^ Blench, Roger ( 1982 ). `` Evidence for the Indonesian origins of certain elements of African culture ''. African Music. 6 ( 2 ) : 81 -- 93. JSTOR 30249759. ( Subscription required ( help ) ). Jump up ^ Kus, Susan ; Raharijaona, Victor ( 2000 ). `` House to Palace, Village to State : Scaling up Architecture and Ideology ''. American Anthropologist, New Series. 1 ( 102 ) : 98 -- 113. doi : 10.1525 / aa. 2000.102. 1.98. Jump up ^ Acquier ( 1997 ), pp. 143 -- 175 Jump up ^ Kusimba, Odland & Bronson ( 2004 ), p. 12 ^ Jump up to : Bradt ( 2011 ), p. 312 Jump up ^ Fox ( 1990 ), p. 39 Jump up ^ Ravalitera, P. `` Origine Confuse des Vazimba du Betsiriry ''. Journal Express ( in French ). Madatana.com. Archived from the original on 10 July 2011. Retrieved 11 November 2010. Jump up ^ Unknown. `` Ibonia : the text in 17 sections ''. University of Virginia. Archived from the original on 10 July 2011. Retrieved 15 November 2010. 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Jump up ^ Vegar, Ness ( 4 October 1999 ). `` Madagascar won the World Championship ''. petanque.org. Archived from the original on 14 January 2011. Retrieved 14 January 2011. Jump up ^ `` Triennal review : Census as at 1 December 2010 ''. World Organization of the Scout Movement. 1 December 2010. Archived from the original ( PDF ) on 31 August 2012. Retrieved 13 January 2011. Jump up ^ 2011 FIBA Africa Championship, FIBA.com, Retrieved 26 October 2015. Jump up ^ 2009 FIBA Africa Championship for Women, FIBA.com, Retrieved 26 October 2015. Jump up ^ 2014 FIBA Africa Under - 18 Championship, FIBA.com, Retrieved 26 October 2015. Jump up ^ 2013 FIBA Africa Under - 16 Championship, FIBA.com, Retrieved 26 October 2015. Jump up ^ 2015 FIBA Africa Under - 16 Championship for Women, FIBA.com, Retrieved 26 October 2015. Jump up ^ `` THB Pilsener '' ( in French ). Brasseries Star. 2015. Retrieved 5 June 2015. Jump up ^ Marsaud, Olivia ( 12 July 2008 ). `` THB, star de la bière à Madagascar '' ( in French ). Afrik.com. Retrieved 5 June 2015. Jump up ^ `` Un peu d'histoire '' ( in French ). Chocolaterie Robert. 2016. Retrieved 26 February 2017. References Acquier, Jean - Louis ( 1997 ). Architectures de Madagascar ( in French ). Berlin : Berger - Levrault. ISBN 978 - 2 - 7003 - 1169 - 3. Ade Ajayi, Jacob Festus ( 1989 ). General history of Africa : Africa in the nineteenth century until the 1880s. Paris : UNESCO. ISBN 978 - 0 - 520 - 03917 - 9. Adelaar, Alexander ( 2006 ). `` The Indonesian migrations to Madagascar : Making sense of the multidisciplinary evidence ''. In Simanjuntak, Truman ; Pojoh, Ingrid ; Harriet Eileen ; Hisyam, Muhamad. Austronesian diaspora and the ethnogeneses of people in Indonesian archipelago. Jakarta, Indonesia : LIPI Press. ISBN 978 - 979 - 26 - 2436 - 6. Ames, Glenn Joseph ( 2003 ). Distant lands and diverse cultures : the French experience in Asia, 1600 -- 1700. 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Fage, J.D. ; Flint, J.E. ; Oliver, R.A. ( 1986 ). The Cambridge History of Africa : From c. 1790 to c. 1870. London : Cambridge University Press. ISBN 0 - 521 - 20413 - 5. Fournet - Guérin, Catherine ( 2007 ). Vivre à Tananarive : géographie du changement dans la capitale malgache ( in French ). Antananarivo, Madagascar : Karthala Editions. ISBN 978 - 2 - 84586 - 869 - 4. Fox, Leonard ( 1990 ). Hainteny : the traditional poetry of Madagascar. Lewisburg, PA : Bucknell University Press. ISBN 978 - 0 - 8387 - 5175 - 6. Freeman, Joseph John ; Johns, David ( 1840 ). A narrative of the persecution of the Christians in Madagascar : with details of the escape of six Christian refugees now in England. London : J. Snow. Frémigacci, Jean ( 1999 ). `` Le Rova de Tananarive : Destruction d'un lieu saint ou constitution d'une référence identitaire ? ''. In Chrétien, Jean - Pierre. Histoire d'Afrique ( in French ). Paris : Editions Karthala. ISBN 978 - 2 - 86537 - 904 - 0. 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The Educated African : a Country - by - Country Survey of Educational Development in Africa. Washington, D.C. : Praeger. Kull, Christian ( 2004 ). Isle of Fire : The Political Ecology of Landscape Burning in Madagascar, Issue 246. Chicago : University of Chicago Press. ISBN 978 - 0 - 226 - 46141 - 0. Kusimba, Chapurukha ; Odland, J. Claire ; Bronson, Bennet ( 2004 ). Unwrapping the textile traditions of Madagascar. Textile Series. Los Angeles : Regents of the University of California. ISBN 0 - 930741 - 95 - 1. Lehoullier, Sara ( 2010 ). Madagascar : Travel Companion. New York : Other Places Publishing. ISBN 978 - 0 - 9822619 - 5 - 8. Middleton, Karen ( 1999 ). Ancestors, Power, and History in Madagascar. Los Angeles : Brill. ISBN 978 - 90 - 04 - 11289 - 6. Moriarty, H.A. ( 1891 ). Islands in the southern Indian Ocean, westward of longitude 80 ̊east, including Madagascar. London : J.D. Potter. Nalla, Mahesh ( 2010 ). Crime and Punishment Around the World : Volume 1, Africa. 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Strakes, Jason ( 2006 ). `` Armed Forces of the People ''. In Leonard, Thomas M. Encyclopedia of the developing world. 1. New York : Taylor & Francis. ISBN 978 - 1 - 57958 - 388 - 0. Thompson, Virginia ; Adloff, Richard ( 1965 ). The Malagasy Republic : Madagascar today. San Francisco, CA : Stanford University Press. ISBN 978 - 0 - 8047 - 0279 - 9. Uwechue, Raph ( 1981 ). Makers of modern Africa : profiles in history, Volume 1. Dearborne, MI : Africa Books Ltd. ISBN 978 - 0 - 903274 - 14 - 2. Van Den Boogaerde, Pierre ( 2008 ). Shipwrecks of Madagascar. New York : AEG Publishing Group. ISBN 978 - 1 - 60693 - 494 - 4. Wink, André ( 2004 ). Volume 3 of Al - Hind : The Making of the Indo - Islamic World : Indo - Islamic society, 14th -- 15th centuries. Leiden, The Netherlands : Brill. ISBN 978 - 90 - 04 - 13561 - 1. 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Or 1600. A factory ( Anosy Region ) and small temporary coastal bases. Part of Portuguese Guinea from 1879. Part of Portuguese Angola from the 1920s. Middle East ( Persian Gulf ) 16th century 1506 -- 1615 Gamru ( Bandar Abbas ) 1507 -- 1643 Sohar 1515 -- 1622 Hormuz ( Ormus ) 1515 -- 1648 Quriyat 1515 -- ? Qalhat 1515 -- 1650 Muscat 1515 ? -- ? Barka 1515 -- 1633 ? Julfar ( Ras al - Khaimah ) 1521 -- 1602 Bahrain ( Muharraq Manama ) 1521 -- 1529 ? Qatif 1521 ? -- 1551 ? Tarut Island 1550 -- 1551 Qatif 1588 -- 1648 Matrah 17th century 1620 -- ? Khor Fakkan 1621 ? -- ? As Sib 1621 -- 1622 Qeshm 1623 -- ? Khasab 1623 -- ? Libedia 1624 -- ? Kalba 1624 -- ? Madha 1624 -- 1648 Dibba Al - Hisn 1624 ? -- ? Bandar - e Kong Indian subcontinent 15th century 1498 -- 1545 Laccadive Islands ( Lakshadweep ) 16th century Portuguese India 1500 -- 1663 Cochim ( Kochi ) 1501 -- 1663 Cannanore ( Kannur ) 1502 -- 1658 1659 -- 1661 Quilon ( Coulão / Kollam ) 1502 -- 1661 Pallipuram ( Cochin de Cima ) 1507 -- 1657 Negapatam ( Nagapatnam ) 1510 -- 1961 Goa 1512 -- 1525 1750 Calicut ( Kozhikode ) 1518 -- 1619 Portuguese Paliacate outpost ( Pulicat ) 1521 -- 1740 Chaul ( Portuguese India ) 1523 -- 1662 Mylapore 1528 -- 1666 Chittagong ( Porto Grande De Bengala ) 1531 -- 1571 Chaul 1531 -- 1571 Chalé 1534 -- 1601 Salsette Island 1534 -- 1661 Bombay ( Mumbai ) 1535 Ponnani 1535 -- 1739 Baçaím ( Vasai - Virar ) 1536 -- 1662 Cranganore ( Kodungallur ) 1540 -- 1612 Surat 1548 -- 1658 Tuticorin ( Thoothukudi ) 1559 -- 1961 Daman and Diu 1568 -- 1659 Mangalore ( Portuguese India ) 1579 -- 1632 Hugli 1598 -- 1610 Masulipatnam ( Machilipatnam ) 1518 -- 1521 Maldives 1518 -- 1658 Portuguese Ceylon ( Sri Lanka ) 1558 -- 1573 Maldives 17th century Portuguese India 1687 -- 1749 Mylapore 18th century Portuguese India 1779 -- 1954 Dadra and Nagar Haveli East Asia and Oceania 16th century 1511 -- 1641 Portuguese Malacca ( Malaysia ) 1512 -- 1621 Maluku ( Indonesia ) 1522 -- 1575 Ternate 1576 -- 1605 Ambon 1578 -- 1650 Tidore 1512 -- 1665 Makassar 1557 -- 1999 Macau ( China ) 1580 -- 1586 Nagasaki ( Japan ) 17th century 1642 -- 1975 Portuguese Timor ( East Timor ) 19th century Portuguese Macau 1864 -- 1999 Coloane 1851 -- 1999 Taipa 1890 -- 1999 Ilha Verde 20th century Portuguese Macau 1938 -- 1941 Lapa and Montanha ( Hengqin ) 1975 is the year of East Timor 's Declaration of Independence and subsequent invasion by Indonesia. In 2002, East Timor 's independence was fully recognized. North America & North Atlantic 15th century ( Atlantic islands ) 1420 Madeira 1432 Azores 16th century ( Canada ) 1500 -- 1579 ? Terra Nova ( Newfoundland ) 1500 -- 1579 ? Labrador 1516 -- 1579 ? Nova Scotia South America & Antilles 16th century 1500 -- 1822 Brazil 1534 -- 1549 Captaincy Colonies of Brazil 1549 -- 1572 Brazil 1572 -- 1578 Bahia 1572 -- 1578 Rio de Janeiro 1578 -- 1607 Brazil 1621 -- 1815 Brazil 1536 -- 1620 Barbados 17th century 1621 -- 1751 Maranhão 1680 -- 1777 Nova Colónia do Sacramento 18th century 1751 -- 1772 Grão - Pará and Maranhão 1772 -- 1775 Grão - Pará and Rio Negro 1772 -- 1775 Maranhão and Piauí 19th century 1808 -- 1822 Cisplatina ( Uruguay ) 1809 -- 1817 Portuguese Guiana ( Amapá ) 1822 Upper Peru ( Bolivia ) Coats of arms of Portuguese colonies Evolution of the Portuguese Empire Portuguese colonial architecture Portuguese colonialism in Indonesia Portuguese colonization of the Americas Theory of the Portuguese discovery of Australia Languages La Francophonie Membership Members Albania Andorra Armenia Belgium French Community Benin Bulgaria Burkina Faso Burundi Cambodia Cameroon Canada New Brunswick Quebec Cape Verde Central African Republic Chad Comoros Cyprus Democratic Republic of the Congo Republic of the Congo Djibouti Dominica Egypt Equatorial Guinea France French Guiana Guadeloupe Martinique St. Pierre and Miquelon Gabon Ghana Greece Guinea Guinea - Bissau Haiti Ivory Coast Laos Luxembourg Lebanon Macedonia Madagascar Mali Mauritania Mauritius Moldova Monaco Morocco Niger Qatar Romania Rwanda St. Lucia São Tomé and Príncipe Senegal Seychelles Switzerland Togo Tunisia Vanuatu Vietnam Observers Austria Bosnia and Herzegovina Croatia Czech Republic Dominican Republic Georgia Hungary Kosovo Latvia Lithuania Montenegro Mozambique Ontario Poland Serbia Slovakia Slovenia Thailand Ukraine United Arab Emirates Uruguay Associate member. Provisionally referred to by the Francophonie as the `` former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia '' ; see Macedonia naming dispute. Organization Agence de Coopération Culturelle et Technique Agence universitaire de la Francophonie Secretaries - General Boutros Boutros - Ghali Abdou Diouf Michaëlle Jean Culture French language UN French Language Day International Francophonie Day Jeux de la Francophonie Prix des cinq continents de la francophonie Senghor University AFFOI TV5Monde LGBT rights Category VIAF : 146036991 GND : 4074425 - 5 BNF : cb12092688p ( data ) HDS : 3453 NDL : 00567376 Retrieved from `` https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Madagascar&oldid=807041698 '' Categories : Madagascar Countries of the Indian Ocean Islands of Madagascar Islands of the Indian Ocean Southeast African countries Former French colonies French - speaking countries and territories Least developed countries Member states of the Organisation internationale de la Francophonie Member states of the African Union Member states of the United Nations States and territories established in 1960 1960 establishments in Madagascar 1960 establishments in Africa Physiographic provinces Republics Countries in Africa Hidden categories : CS1 French - language sources ( fr ) CS1 maint : Multiple names : authors list CS1 maint : Unfit url Pages containing links to subscription - only content Wikipedia indefinitely move - protected pages Use American English from February 2017 All Wikipedia articles written in American English Use dmy dates from June 2017 Articles containing French - language text Articles containing Malagasy - language text Pages using infobox country or infobox former country with the symbol caption or type parameters Articles containing potentially dated statements from 2017 All articles containing potentially dated statements Articles containing potentially dated statements from 2012 Articles containing potentially dated statements from 2011 Articles containing potentially dated statements from 2009 Articles with DMOZ links Coordinates on Wikidata Featured articles Wikipedia articles with VIAF identifiers Wikipedia articles with GND identifiers Wikipedia articles with BNF identifiers Talk Contents About Wikipedia Wikinews Wikivoyage Languages Acèh Afrikaans Alemannisch አማርኛ Ænglisc Aragonés Arpetan Asturianu Avañe'ẽ Azərbaycanca Bamanankan বাংলা Bahasa Banjar Bân - lâm - gú Башҡортса Беларуская Беларуская ( тарашкевіца ) ‎ भोजपुरी Bikol Central Bislama Български བོད ་ ཡིག Bosanski Brezhoneg Буряад Català Чӑвашла Cebuano Čeština ChiShona Cymraeg Dansk Deitsch Deutsch ދިވެހިބަސް Diné bizaad Dolnoserbski Eesti Ελληνικά Español Esperanto Estremeñu Euskara Eʋegbe فارسی Fiji Hindi Føroyskt Français Frysk Gaeilge Gaelg Gagauz Gàidhlig Galego Gĩkũyũ ગુજરાતી 客家 語 / Hak - kâ - ngî Хальмг 한국어 Հայերեն हिन्दी Hornjoserbsce Hrvatski Ido Igbo Ilokano বিষ্ণুপ্রিয়া মণিপুরী Bahasa Indonesia Interlingua Interlingue Ирон IsiZulu Íslenska Italiano עברית Basa Jawa Kalaallisut ಕನ್ನಡ Kapampangan ქართული Қазақша Kernowek Kinyarwanda Kiswahili Kongo Kreyòl ayisyen Kurdî Кыргызча Кырык мары Ladino Latgaļu Latina Latviešu Lëtzebuergesch Lietuvių Ligure Limburgs Lingála Livvinkarjala Luganda Lumbaart Magyar Македонски Malagasy മലയാളം Malti Māori मराठी მარგალური مصرى مازِرونی Bahasa Melayu Baso Minangkabau Mìng - dĕ̤ng - ngṳ̄ Монгол မြန်မာဘာသာ Nāhuatl Na Vosa Vakaviti Nederlands Nedersaksies नेपाली नेपाल भाषा 日本 語 Нохчийн Nordfriisk Norfuk / Pitkern Norsk Norsk nynorsk Novial Occitan ଓଡ଼ିଆ Oromoo Oʻzbekcha / ўзбекча ਪੰਜਾਬੀ पालि پنجابی Papiamentu پښتو Patois Piemontèis Plattdüütsch Polski Ποντιακά Português Qaraqalpaqsha Qırımtatarca Reo tahiti Română Runa Simi Русский Саха тыла Davvisámegiella Gagana Samoa संस्कृतम् Sängö Sardu Scots Seeltersk Sesotho Sesotho sa Leboa Shqip Sicilianu සිංහල Simple English SiSwati Slovenčina Slovenščina Ślůnski Soomaaliga کوردی Српски / srpski Srpskohrvatski / српскохрватски Basa Sunda Suomi Svenska Tagalog தமிழ் Taqbaylit Татарча / tatarça తెలుగు ไทย ትግርኛ Тоҷикӣ Tsetsêhestâhese Türkçe Türkmençe Удмурт Українська اردو ئۇيغۇرچە / Uyghurche Vèneto Vepsän kel ' Tiếng Việt Volapük Võro 文言 Winaray Wolof 吴语 Xitsonga ייִדיש Yorùbá 粵語 Zazaki Zeêuws Žemaitėška 中文 डोटेली Kabɩyɛ Edit links This page was last edited on 25 October 2017, at 14 : 40. 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Question: where is madagascar located in the world map
Answer: in the Indian Ocean, off the coast of East Africa