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Description Madagascar by rbd.me
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Formerly an independent kingdom, Madagascar became a French colony in 1896 but regained independence in 1960. During 1992-93, free presidential and National Assembly elections were held ending 17 years of single-party rule. In 1997, in the second presidential race, Didier RATSIRAKA, the leader during the 1970s and 1980s, was returned to the presidency. The 2001 presidential election was contested between the followers of Didier RATSIRAKA and Marc RAVALOMANANA, nearly causing secession of half of the country. In April 2002, the High Constitutional Court announced RAVALOMANANA the winner. RAVALOMANANA achieved a second term following a landslide victory in the generally free and fair presidential elections of 2006. In early 2009, protests over increasing restrictions on opposition press and activities resulted in RAVALOMANANA stepping down and the presidency was conferred to the mayor of Antananarivo, Andry RAJOELINA. Following negotiations in July and August of 2009, a power-sharing agreement with a 15-month transitional period was established, but has not yet been implemented.
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Location
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Southern Africa, island in the Indian Ocean, east of Mozambique
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Area - comparative
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slightly less than twice the size of Arizona
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Natural resources Madagascar
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narrow coastal plain, high plateau and mountains in center
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Population Madagascar
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world's fourth-largest island; strategic location along Mozambique Channel
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Religions Madagascar
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Malayo-Indonesian (Merina and related Betsileo), Cotiers (mixed African, Malayo-Indonesian, and Arab ancestry - Betsimisaraka, Tsimihety, Antaisaka, Sakalava), French, Indian, Creole, Comoran
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Languages
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indigenous beliefs 52%, Christian 41%, Muslim 7%
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Education Madagascar expenditures
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English (official), French (official), Malagasy (official)
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Government Madagascar type
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3.1% of GDP (2006)
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Independence
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6 provinces (faritany); Antananarivo, Antsiranana, Fianarantsoa, Mahajanga, Toamasina, Toliara
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Madagascar Economy - overview
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two equal horizontal bands of red (top) and green with a vertical white band of the same width on hoist side; by tradition, red stands for sovereignty, green for hope, white for purity
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Investment Madagascar
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40.1% of GDP (2009 est.)
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Industries Madagascar
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meat processing, seafood, soap, breweries, tanneries, sugar, textiles, glassware, cement, automobile assembly plant, paper, petroleum, tourism
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Airports Madagascar
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27,807 (2009)
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