Madagascar

Republic of Madagascar conventional short form: Madagascar local long form: Republique de Madagascar local short form: Madagascar former: Malagasy Republic

republicIndependence 26 June 1960 (from France)

Madagascar as the 2001 edition of the CIA World Factbook published it: 114 fields, one of 36 editions from 1990 to 2025.

field in that editiontext changed from the edition beforenot in that editionthe open editionEach field below ends in its editions, 1990 to 2025. Point at a year above to follow it down.

CapitalAntananarivo

Position20 00 S, 47 00 E

Area587,040 sq km land: 581,540 sq km water: 5,500 sq km

LocationSouthern Africa, island in the Indian Ocean, east of Mozambique

Populationas each edition published it

15.98 million July 2001 est. · 11.8m in 1990

Population growth% a year

3.02% 2001 est. · 3.2% in 1993

Median ageyears

Not in this edition 17.4 yrs in 2003

Life expectancyyears at birth

55.35 years 2001 est. · 53.52 yrs in 1993

Fertility ratechildren per woman

5.8 children per woman 2001 est. · 6.9 in 1990

Infant mortalitydeaths per 1,000 live births

83.58 deaths per 1,000 live births 2001 est. · 97 in 1990

GDP per capitaeach edition's own dollars

$800 2000 est. · $200 in 1993

GDP real growth% a year

4.8% 2000 est. · 1% in 1993

Introduction

1 field

Background

Formerly an independent kingdom, Madagascar became a French colony in 1886, but regained its 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.

Geography

Southern Africa, island in the Indian Ocean, east of Mozambique

18 fields

Coastline

4,828km

land boundaries: 0 kmcontiguous zone: 24 NM continental shelf: 200 NM or 100 NM from the 2,500-m deep isobath exclusive economic zone: 200 NM territorial sea: 12 NM

Irrigated land

10,870sq km

(1993 est.)

Location

Southern Africa, island in the Indian Ocean, east of Mozambique

Geographic coordinates

20 00 S, 47 00 E

Map references

Africa

Area

total: 587,040 sq km land: 581,540 sq km water: 5,500 sq km

Climate

tropical along coast, temperate inland, arid in south

Terrain

narrow coastal plain, high plateau and mountains in center

Elevation extremes

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, hydropower

Land use

arable land: 4% permanent crops: 1% permanent pastures: 41% forests and woodland: 40% other: 14% (1993 est.)

Natural hazards

periodic cyclones

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

Environment - international agreements

party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Marine Life Conservation, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Wetlands signed, but not ratified: Law of the Sea

Geography - note

world's fourth-largest island; strategic location along Mozambique Channel

People

18 fields

Population

15,982,563

(July 2001 est.)growth rate: 3.02% (2001 est.)

Per 1,000 population(2001 est.)

Birth

42.66Death

12.42Net migration

Religions

indigenous beliefs 52%Christian 41%Muslim 7%

HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate

0.15%

(1999 est.)

Age structure

0-14 years: 45.02% (male 3,607,803; female 3,587,532) 15-64 years: 51.77% (male 4,093,720; female 4,180,430) 65 years and over: 3.21% (male 239,839; female 273,239) (2001 est.)

Sex ratio

at birth: 1.03 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.01 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 0.98 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.88 male(s)/female total population: 0.99 male(s)/female (2001 est.)

Infant mortality rate

83.58 deaths/1,000 live births (2001 est.)

Life expectancy at birth

total population: 55.35 years male: 53.08 years female: 57.68 years (2001 est.)

Total fertility rate

5.8 children born/woman (2001 est.)

HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS

11,000 (1999 est.)

HIV/AIDS - deaths

870 (1999 est.)

Nationality

noun: Malagasy (singular and plural) adjective: Malagasy

Ethnic groups

Malayo-Indonesian (Merina and related Betsileo), Cotiers (mixed African, Malayo-Indonesian, and Arab ancestry - Betsimisaraka, Tsimihety, Antaisaka, Sakalava), French, Indian, Creole, Comoran

Languages

French (official), Malagasy (official)

Literacy

definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 80% male: 88% female: 73% (1990 est.)

Government

Republic

19 fields

Presidential electionpercent of vote

50.7%

Didier RATSIRAKA (AREMA) 50.7%Albert ZAFY (AFFA) 49.3%

National Assembly or Assemblee Nationale, 150 seatsone dot, one seat

AREMA 63LEADER/Fanilo 16AVI 14RPSD 11AFFA 6MFM 3AKFM/Fanavaozana 3GRAD/Iloafo 1Fihaonana 1independents 32

Country name

conventional long form: Republic of Madagascar conventional short form: Madagascar local long form: Republique de Madagascar local short form: Madagascar former: Malagasy Republic

Government type

republic

Capital

Antananarivo

Administrative divisions

6 provinces (faritany); Antananarivo, Antsiranana, Fianarantsoa, Mahajanga, Toamasina, Toliara

Independence

26 June 1960 (from France)

National holiday

Independence Day, 26 June (1960)

Constitution

19 August 1992 by national referendum

Legal system

based on French civil law system and traditional Malagasy law; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction

Suffrage

18 years of age; universal

Executive branch

chief of state:: President Didier RATSIRAKA (since 10 February 1997) head of government: Prime Minister Tantely Rene Gabriot ANDRIANARIVO (since NA 1998) cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the prime minister elections: president elected by popular vote for a five-year term;
election last held 29 December 1996 (next to be held NA November 2001);
prime minister appointed by the president from a list of candidates nominated by the National Assembly election results: Didier RATSIRAKA elected president;
percent of vote - Didier RATSIRAKA (AREMA) 50.7%, Albert ZAFY (AFFA) 49.3%

Legislative branch

unicameral National Assembly or Assemblee Nationale (150 seats; members are directly elected by popular vote to serve four-year terms);
note - the legislature is scheduled to become a bicameral Parliament with the establishment of a Senate;
two-thirds of the seats of this Senate will be filled by regional assemblies whose members will be elected by popular vote;
the remaining one-third of the seats will be appointed by the president;
the total number of seats will be determined by the National Assembly;
all members will serve four-year terms elections: National Assembly - last held 17 May 1998 (next to be held NA 2002) election results: National Assembly - percent of vote by party - NA%;
seats by party - AREMA 63, LEADER/Fanilo 16, AVI 14, RPSD 11, AFFA 6, MFM 3, AKFM/Fanavaozana 3, GRAD/Iloafo 1, Fihaonana 1, independents 32

Judicial branch

Supreme Court or Cour Supreme; High Constitutional Court or Haute Cour Constitutionnelle

Political parties and leaders

Action, Truth, Development, and Harmony or AFFA [Professor Albert ZAFY];
Association for the Rebirth of Madagascar or AREMA [leader vacant];
Congress Party for Malagasy Independence or AKFM/Fanavaozana;
Economic Liberalism and Democratic Action for National Recovery or LEADER/Fanilo [Herizo RAZAFIMAHALEO];
Fihaonana Rally or Fihaonana [Guy RAZANAMASY];
Group of Reflection and Action for the Development of Madagascar or GRAD/Iloafo;
Judged by Your Work or AVI [Norbert RATSIRAHONANA];
Movement for the Progress of Madagascar or MFM [Manandafy RAKOTONIRINA];
Renewal of the Social Democratic Party or RPSD [Evariste MARSON];
Tranobe (Big House) [Ny Hasina ANDRIAMANJATO]

Political pressure groups and leaders

Federalist Movement; National Council of Christian Churches or FFKM

International organization participation

ACCT, ACP, AfDB, CCC, ECA, FAO, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, InOC, Intelsat, Interpol, IOC, IOM (observer), ISO (correspondent), ITU, NAM, OAU, OPCW, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UPU, WCL, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO

Diplomatic representation in the US

chief of mission: Ambassador Zina ANDRIANARIVELO-RAZAFY chancery: 2374 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008 telephone: [1] (202) 265-5525, 5526 consulate(s) general: New York

Diplomatic representation from the US

chief of mission: Ambassador Shirley E. BARNES embassy: 14-16 Rue Rainitovo, Antsahavola, Antananarivo mailing address: B. P. 620, Antsahavola, Antananarivo telephone: [261] (20) 22-212-57

FAX

[261] (20) 22-345-39

Flag description

two equal horizontal bands of red (top) and green with a vertical white band of the same width on hoist side

Economy

Madagascar faces problems of chronic malnutrition, underfunded health and education facilities, a roughly 3% annual population growth rate, and severe loss of forest cover, accompanied by erosion.

31 fields

Real growth rate

4.8%

(2000 est.)industrial production growth: 3% (2000 est.)

Inflation, consumer prices

10%

(1999 est.)

Population below poverty line

70%

(1994 est.)

Labor force

7million

(1999)

Trading partnersexports left, imports right

41%

France

34%

19%

13%

Germany

Japan

Hong Kong

China

Singapore

Exports $538 million (f.o.b., 1998)Imports $693 million (f.o.b., 1998)(1999)

Electricity

Electricity production

810 million (1999)Electricity consumption

753.3 million (1999)

Economy - overview

Madagascar faces problems of 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 30% of GDP and contributing more than 70% to export earnings.

Industry features textile manufacturing and the processing of agricultural products. Growth in output in 1992-97 averaged less than the growth rate of the population. Growth has been held back by antigovernment strikes and demonstrations, a decline in world coffee prices, and the erratic commitment of the government to economic reform.

The extent of government reforms, outside financial aid, and foreign investment will be key determinants of future growth. For 2001, growth should again be about 5%.

GDP

purchasing power parity - $12.3 billion (2000 est.)

GDP - per capita

purchasing power parity - $800 (2000 est.)

GDP - composition by sector

agriculture: 30% industry: 14% services: 56% (1999 est.)

Unemployment rate

NA%

Budget

revenues: $553 million expenditures: $735 million, including capital expenditures of $NA (1998 est.)

Industries

meat processing, soap, breweries, tanneries, sugar, textiles, glassware, cement, automobile assembly plant, paper, petroleum, tourism

Electricity - production by source

fossil fuel: 37.04% hydro: 62.96% nuclear: 0% other: 0% (1999)

Agriculture - products

coffee, vanilla, sugarcane, cloves, cocoa, rice, cassava (tapioca), beans, bananas, peanuts; livestock products

Exports

$538 million (f.o.b., 1998)

Exports - commodities

coffee, vanilla, shellfish, sugar; cotton cloth, chromite, petroleum products

Imports

$693 million (f.o.b., 1998)

Imports - commodities

intermediate manufactures, capital goods, petroleum, consumer goods, food

Debt - external

$4.4 billion (1999)

Economic aid - recipient

$838 million (1997)

Currency

Malagasy franc (MGF)

Currency code

MGF

Exchange rates

Malagasy francs per US dollar - 6,656.3 (November 2000), 6,283.8 (1999), 5,441.4 (1998), 5,090.9 (1997), 4,061.3 (1996)

Fiscal year

calendar year

Communications

10 fields

Mobile cellular

4,000

(1997)

Internet users

(2000)

Fixed lines

43,000

(1997) · country code .mg

Telephone system

general assessment:: system is above average for the region 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)

Radio broadcast stations

AM 2 (plus 8 repeater stations), FM 7, shortwave 5 (1998)

Radios

3.05 million (1997)

Television broadcast stations

1 (plus 36 repeaters) (1997)

Televisions

325,000 (1997)

Internet users

8,000 (2000)

Transportation

8 fields

Railways

total: 883 km narrow gauge: 883 km 1.000-m gauge (1994)

Highways

total: 49,837 km paved: 5,781 km unpaved: 44,056 km (1996)

Waterways

note: of local importance only

Ports and harbors

Antsiranana, Antsohimbondrona, Mahajanga, Toamasina, Toliara

Merchant marine

total: 13 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 24,819 GRT/34,173 DWT ships by type: cargo 7, chemical tanker 1, liquefied gas 1, petroleum tanker 2, roll on/roll off 2 (2000 est.)

Airports

130 (2000 est.)

Airports - with paved runways

total: 29 over 3,047 m: 1 2,438 to 3,047 m: 2 1,524 to 2,437 m: 5 914 to 1,523 m: 19 under 914 m: 2 (2000 est.)

Airports - with unpaved runways

total: 101 1,524 to 2,437 m: 2 914 to 1,523 m: 56 under 914 m: 43 (2000 est.)

Military

Popular Armed Forces (includes Intervention Forces, Development Forces, Aeronaval Forces - includes Navy and Air Force), Gendarmerie, Presidential Security Regiment

7 fields

Military expenditures - percent of GDP

(FY94)

Military branches

Popular Armed Forces (includes Intervention Forces, Development Forces, Aeronaval Forces - includes Navy and Air Force), Gendarmerie, Presidential Security Regiment