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A country in southern Africa, the Republic of Madagascar
is the fourth largest island in the world (if you
consider Australia as such). It has a total area of
587 040 km2 , with small adjacent
islands. The main cities are Antananarivo, the capital,
with 1 250 700 inhabitants (2004), Toamasina (201 500
inhab.), Antsirabe (180 500 inhab.), Mahajanga (152 700
inhab.) And Fianarantsoa (162 300 inhab.). From the
point of view of the relief, Madagascar is divided into
three areas: the central plateau, the narrow eastern
coast and the low plateaus and plains on the western
coast. Once covered by extensive and dense forest,
Madagascar today has its forest area reduced to 1/4 of
the territory.
Climate
Madagascar's climate varies from a humid tropical
"monsoon" type on the east coast, to temperate by the
altitude on the central plateau, with the west coast
subject to two seasons: a dry and cool season, in which
the lowest temperatures occur in the month July, and
another hot and humid, where the highest temperatures
are recorded in the month of December. It should also be
noted that, between the months of December to March, the
eastern coast is subject to the passage of tropical
cyclones originating in the Indian Ocean, bringing with
it torrential rains and devastating floods.
Economy
The economy is essentially based on agriculture and
livestock. Although rice is the main crop, coffee
represents the largest share of exports. Other cultures
stand out, such as sugar cane, cassava and fruits such
as bananas, apples, pineapples or oranges. Sheep, goats,
chickens and pigs are abundant.
The mining industry is underdeveloped, mainly due to
the scarce mineral resources, with only the titanium
deposits, which are considered the largest in the world,
worth mentioning. In relation to the manufacturing
industry, it focuses mainly on the treatment of rice,
wood and paper. Madagascar's main trading partners are
France, Japan, Germany and Iran.
Environmental indicator: the value of carbon dioxide
emissions,per capita (metric tons, 1999), is
0.1.
Population
In 2006 it had a population of 18,595,469 inhabitants,
corresponding to a population density of 30.73
inhabitants per km2. The birth and death
rates are, respectively, 41.41% and 11.11%. Average life
expectancy is 57.34 years. The value of the Human
Development Index (HDI) is 0.468 and the value of the
Gender-adjusted Development Index (IDG) is 0.467
(2001). It is estimated that, in 2025, the population
will be 32 966 000 inhabitants. The main Malagasy ethnic
groups are Merina (27%), Betsimisaraka (15%), Betsileo
(12%), Tsimihety (7%), Sakalava (6%) and Antandroy
(5%). Traditional beliefs are followed by 52% of the
population; Catholics account for 21%, Protestants 20%
and Muslims 7%.
History
It is believed that the island of Madagascar only
started to be inhabited 2000 years ago, possibly by
travelers of Indonesian origin, given the evident
influence of that region on the Malagasy language and
culture. There are close to 20 ethnic groups, the most
important of which is Merina. Although these groups are
not distinguished, either culturally or socially, from
each other, it is certain that it was only from the 16th
century, when foreign explorers arrived on the island
(among which the Portuguese), that to form a national
conscience among those groups that, until then, had
dedicated themselves to small wars between them. And it
was at the end of the 16th century that a kingdom was
born that would be at the base of Malagasy nationality:
the Merina kingdom, located on the central plateau and
with Tananarive as its capital. Through constant
business with the French (in exchange for slaves they
received weapons), Merina was strengthened, gradually
increasing her dominance, at the same time that
administrative, economic and social structuring was
proceeding. This happened mainly due to the action of
Andrianampoinimerina, who reigned from 1787 to 1810 and
under which Merina was reunited in 1797, who, in the
middle of the 18th century, had been divided into four
kingdoms.
However, the French had already shown a willingness
to dominate the island of Madagascar, namely through the
conquest of islands adjacent to the east coast. In view
of this situation, Radama I, son of
Andrianampoinimerina, joins the English governor of
Mauritius, who supports him in the annexation of that
area and land in southern Madagascar belonging to the
Sakalava kingdom, in exchange for opening Madagascar to
workers and institutions English, such as the London
Missionary Society. The death of Radama in 1828 and the
consequent accession to the throne of his wife,
Ranavalona I, reversed this policy, since the queen
chose as a priority the expulsion of the entire European
presence, a situation that lasted until her
death. Radama II, son of Ranavalona I, reestablished
contacts with Europeans, a policy that was taken to
excess, which provoked his deposition in 1863, being
replaced by the head of the army, Rainilaiarivony, who
remained as prime minister until 1895, the year in which
he would be exiled in France. Until his exile,
Rainilaiarivony adopted a western style of governance
combined with respect for ancestral laws, thus
satisfying both the interests of Europeans and the
privileges of the Malagasy aristocratic class.
The francophone threat was increasingly present,
because in the meantime, France had already extended its
influence to the Sakalava kingdom. The war between
France and the Merina kingdom (1883-85) would lead to an
ambiguous treaty that granted France only a government
representation in Tananarive, but in 1895 that country
managed to enter its army in the capital of Merina,
forcing the queen Ranavalona III to recognize the French
protectorate.
Despite the armed resistance carried out by Merina
guerrillas, in the early years of French colonization,
the truth is that it was not long before the whole
island was under French-speaking rule. This conjuncture
came to result in an accelerated economic growth, as a
result of the close relationship that the country,
mainly through agricultural production, established with
the European markets, mainly with France. After the
Second World War, Madagascar had the status of Overseas
Territory of the French Republic, with representatives
in the French Parliament, in addition to the existence
of a local assembly in Tananarive. However, following
violent internal uprisings in 1947, France outlawed
Malagasy representatives, as well as the Democratic
Movement for the Renewal of Madagascar of which they
were a part. In 1958, France decided to give its
overseas territories the possibility to choose their own
destination. Madagascar, through a referendum held in
September of that year, decided for its autonomy within
the Francophone Community, being proclaimed as an
autonomous republic on October 14, 1958. Independence
would only succeed on June 26, 1960, with Tsiranana as
president and with the Social Democratic Party in
Power. This situation remained until 1972, the year in
which Tsiranana, although reelected in the January
elections of that year, was obliged to appoint General
Gabriel Ramanantsoa as Prime Minister with all the
powers of governance. This nomination was confirmed in a
referendum held on October 8, three days before
Tsiranana's resignation. General Gabriel Ramanantsoa's
policy led to the breaking of links with the Western
world (namely with France and the United States),
turning towards the Soviet Union and other communist
countries, in line with the internal socialist
policy. This policy would be continued by
Lieutenant-Commander Didier Ratsiraka, appointed
president and head of the Revolutionary Council by the
armed junta established after the assassination of
Colonel Richard Ratsimandrava, who had succeeded
Ramanantsoa. Didier Ratsiraka would, however, be forced
to change his policy completely under pressure from the
International Monetary Fund, as the country's economy
had reached technical bankruptcy. Foreign investors
became interested in Madagascar again, at the same time
as France forgave a debt of four billion French francs,
and strong trade links were established with South
Africa. Didier Ratsiraka was replaced by Albert Zafy, as
President of the Republic, and Francisque Ravony, as
prime minister, who continued with the policy of opening
up to foreign investment. At the end of 1993, Madagascar
joined COMESA - Common Market for East and South Africa.
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