Madagascar
Republic of MadagascarRepublique de Madagascar
republicIndependence 26 June 1960 (from France)
Madagascar as the 1996 edition of the CIA World Factbook published it: 88 fields, one of 36 editions from 1990 to 2025.
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Geography
Southern Africa, island in the Indian Ocean, east of | Mozambique
15 fieldsLand useshare of 587,040 sq km
International disputes
claims Bassas da India, Europa Island, Glorioso Islands, Juan de Nova Island, and Tromelin Island (all administered by France)
Terrain
narrow coastal plain, high plateau and mountains in center
- lowest point:
- Indian Ocean 0 m
- highest point:
- Maromokotro 2,876 m
Natural resources
graphite, chromite, coal, bauxite, salt, quartz, tar sands, semiprecious stones, mica, fish
Environment
- current issues:
- soil erosion results from deforestation and overgrazing;
- desertification;
- surface water contaminated with raw sewage and other organic wastes;
- several species of flora and fauna unique to the island are endangered
- natural hazards:
- periodic cyclones
- international agreements:
- party to - Endangered Species, Marine Life Conservation, Nuclear Test Ban;
- signed, but not ratified - Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Law of the Sea
People
15 fieldsPer 1,000 population(1996 est.)
Male · female(1996 est.)
Age structure
- 0-14 years:
- 45% (male 3,105,958; female 3,034,279)
- 15-64 years:
- 52% (male 3,499,021; female 3,573,052)
- 65 years and over:
- 3% (male 224,710; female 233,487) (July 1996 est.)
Sex ratio
- at birth:
- 1.03 male(s)/female
- under 15 years:
- 1.02 male(s)/female
- 15-64 years:
- 0.98 male(s)/female
- 65 years and over:
- 0.96 male(s)/female
- all ages:
- 1 male(s)/female (1996 est.)
Ethnic divisions
Malayo-Indonesian (Merina and related Betsileo), Cotiers (mixed African, Malayo-Indonesian, and Arab ancestry - Betsimisaraka, Tsimihety, Antaisaka, Sakalava), French, Indian, Creole, Comoran
Government
Republic; President Albert ZAFY (since 9 March 1993) was elected for a five-year term by popular vote; Prime Minister Emmanuel RAKOTOVAHINY (since 30 October 1995) was elected by the National Assembly
22 fieldsPresidential electionpercent of vote
Legislature, 138 seatsone dot, one seat
Name of country
- conventional long form:
- Republic of Madagascar
- conventional short form:
- Madagascar
- local long form:
- Republique de Madagascar
- local short form:
- Madagascar
- former:
- Malagasy Republic
Administrative divisions
6 provinces (faritany); Antananarivo, Antsiranana, Fianarantsoa, Mahajanga, Toamasina, Toliary
Legal system
based on French civil law system and traditional Malagasy law; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction
Executive branch
- chief of state:
- President Albert ZAFY (since 9 March 1993) was elected for a five-year term by popular vote;
- election last held 10 February 1993 (next to be held NA 1998);
- results - Albert ZAFY (UNDD) 67%;
- Didier RATSIRAKA (AREMA) 33%
- head of government:
- Prime Minister Emmanuel RAKOTOVAHINY (since 30 October 1995) was elected by the National Assembly
- cabinet:
- Council of Ministers was appointed by the prime minister
Senate (Senat)
- two-thirds of upper house seats are to be filled from popularly elected regional assemblies;
- the remaining third is to be filled by presidential appointment;
- decentralization and formation of regional assemblies is not expected before 1997
National Assembly (Assemblee Nationale)
- elections last held 16 June 1993 (next to be held NA June 1997);
- results - percent of vote by party NA;
- seats - (138 total) CFV coalition 76, PMDM/MFM 16, CSCD 11, Famima 10, RPSD 7, various pro-Ratsiraka groups 10, others 8
Judicial branch
Supreme Court (Cour Supreme); High Constitutional Court (Haute Cour Constitutionnelle)
Political parties and leaders
- Committee of Living Forces (CFV), an alliance of National Union for Development and Democracy (UNDD), Support Group for Democracy and Development in Madagascar (CSDDM), Action and Reflection Group for the Development of Madagascar (GRAD), Congress Party for Madagascar Independence - Renewal (AKFM-Fanavaozana), and some 12 other parties, trade unions, and religious groups;
- Militant Party for the Development of Madagascar (PMDM/MFM), formerly the Movement for Proletarian Power, Manandafy RAKOTONIRINA;
- Confederation of Civil Societies for Development (CSCD), Guy Willy RAZANAMASY;
- Association of United Malagasys (Famima);
- Rally for Social Democracy (RPSD), Pierre TSIRANANA
Other political or pressure groups
National Council of Christian Churches (FFKM); Federalist Movement
International organization participation
ACCT, ACP, AfDB, CCC, ECA, FAO, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Intelsat, Interpol, IOC, ITU, NAM, OAU, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UPU, WCL, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO
Diplomatic representation in US
- chief of mission:
- Ambassador Pierrot Jocelyn RAJAONARIVELO
- chancery:
- 2374 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008
- telephone:
- [1] (202) 265-5525, 5526
- consulate(s) general:
- New York
US diplomatic representation
- chief of mission:
- Ambassador Vicki J. HUDDLESTON
- embassy:
- 14-16 Rue Rainitovo, Antsahavola, Antananarivo
- mailing address:
- B. P. 620, Antananarivo
- telephone:
- [261] (2) 212-57, 200-89, 207-18
Flag
two equal horizontal bands of red (top) and green with a vertical white band of the same width on hoist side
Economy
21 fieldsGDP composition by sector(1995 est.)
Installed generating capacity, 220,000 kW
Economic overview
Madagascar is one of the poorest countries in the world, suffering from chronic malnutrition, underfunded health and education facilities, a roughly 3% annual population growth rate, and severe loss of forest cover, accompanied by erosion. Agriculture, including fishing and forestry, is the mainstay of the economy, accounting for 35% of GDP and contributing more than 70% of export earnings.
Industry is largely confined to the processing of agricultural products and textile manufacturing; it accounts for 15% of GDP. In 1986, the government introduced a five-year development plan that stressed self-sufficiency in food (mainly rice) by 1990, increased production for export, and reduced energy imports.
Subsequently, growth in output has been held back because of protracted antigovernment strikes and demonstrations for political reform. Since 1993, corruption and political instability have caused the economy and infrastructure to decay further. Since April 1994, the government commitment to economic reforms has been erratic. Enormous obstacles stand in the way of Madagascar's realizing its considerable growth potential.
Labor force
- total workers:
- 4.9 million
- workers not receiving money wages:
- 4.7 million (96% of total labor force); note - 4.3 million workers are in subsistence agriculture
- wage earners:
- 175,400 (3.6% of total work force)
- wage earners by occupation:
- agriculture 45,500, domestic service 29,750, industry 26,250, commerce 24,500, construction 19,250, service 15,750, transportation 10,500, other 3,500 (1985 est.)
Industries
meat processing, soap, breweries, tanneries, sugar, textiles, glassware, cement, automobile assembly plant, paper, petroleum
Agriculture
coffee, vanilla, sugarcane, cloves, cocoa, rice, cassava (tapioca), beans, bananas, peanuts; livestock products
Illicit drugs
illicit producer of cannabis (cultivated and wild varieties) used mostly for domestic consumption; transshipment point for heroin
Exports
$240 million (f.o.b., 1993 est.)
- commodities:
- coffee 45%, vanilla 20%, cloves 11%, shellfish, sugar, petroleum products
- partners:
- France, US, Germany, Japan, Russia
Imports
$510 million (f.o.b., 1993 est.)
- commodities:
- intermediate manufactures 30%, capital goods 28%, petroleum 15%, consumer goods 14%, food 13%
- partners:
- France, Germany, Japan, UK, Italy, Netherlands
Exchange rates
Malagasy francs (FMG) per US$1 - 4,239.5 (November 1995), 3,067.3 (1994), 1,913.8 (1993), 1,864.0 (1992), 1,835.4 (1991)
Transportation
6 fieldsAirports by runway lengthpaved left, unpaved right · 105 in all
Networkskm
Merchant marine
- total:
- 11 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 22,132 GRT/31,261 DWT
- ships by type:
- cargo 5, chemical tanker 1, liquefied gas tanker 1, oil tanker 2, roll-on/roll-off cargo 2 (1995 est.)
Communications
Popular Armed Forces (includes Intervention Forces, | Development Forces, Aeronaval Forces - includes Navy and Air Force), | Gendarmerie, Presidential Security Regiment
9 fieldsTelephone system
system is above average for Africa
- domestic:
- open-wire lines, coaxial cables, microwave radio relay, and tropospheric scatter links
- international:
- submarine cable to Bahrain; satellite earth stations - 1 Intelsat (Indian Ocean) and 1 Intersputnik (Atlantic Ocean Region)
Branches
Popular Armed Forces (includes Intervention Forces, Development Forces, Aeronaval Forces - includes Navy and Air Force), Gendarmerie, Presidential Security Regiment
Manpower availability
- males age 15-49:
- 3,103,022
- males fit for military service:
- 1,843,732
- males reach military age (20) annually:
- 132,146 (1996 est.)
Cite this entry
Central Intelligence Agency. “Madagascar.” The World Factbook 1996. Archived by The Factbook, thefactbook.org/madagascar/1996.