Madagascar

“Great Red Island”











Background Information


Government


Formal Name: Republic of Madagascar


DTA code: MA


Government Type: Republic


Legal System: based on French civil law system and traditional Malagasy


law; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction.





Foreign Relations: Good relations with many countries, especially France, and


the western countries of Africa.





Holidays:


Jan. 1 - New Year’s Day


May 1 - Workers Day


May 24- OAU Day


June 26- Independence Day


Nov 1 - All Saints Day


Dec 25- Christmas


Dec 30- Republic Day


History


The Malagasy are of mixed Malayo-Indonesian and African-Arab ancestry.


Indonesians are believed to have migrated to the island about B.C.E. 700.


Archaeologists have found human remains dating back 2000 years.


Madagascar was a favorite base for sea pirates in the 1600’s and 1700’s,


including the famous Captain Kidd.


The French made the island a protectorate in 1885, and then in 1894-95


ended the monarchy.


In 1908 a colonial administration was set up, to which the Comoro Islands


were attached.   In World War II the British occupied Madagascar, which retained


its ties to France. Madagascar became an independent member of the


community in 1960.


Economy


Rated 10th poorest country in the world. Madagascar faces problems of


chronic malnutrition and severe loss of forest cover accompanied by erosion.








Agriculture


Provides almost 80% of exports, 16% of cultivated land is irrigated.   Major


crops include, coffee, vanilla, sugar cane, cloves, rice, bananas, peanuts; wide


spread cattle raising; also extensive fishing.





Exports and...