Country Information on Madagascar

Terrain Madagascar was formed by continental drift (it was torn off the African mainland around 165 million years ago). In the centre of Madagascar there is a mountainous plateau that gives the country its characteristic look. These highlands are partly of volcanic origin and rise up to 2,876 m (summit of the Maromokotro) in the north. The terrain drops away to a narrow coastal lowland strip in the east bordering the Indian Ocean. To the west it gradually descends to a wider coastal plain along the Mozambique Channel. Climate Madagascar is dominated by tropical climate. The highlands, however, are cool enough to grow apples and stone fruit, and even vineyards above 800 m. Snow is not uncommon in winter at the highest altitudes. Monsoons come from the north-west and most of the rain hits the east coast and the far north, but in the rain shadow south-west of the highlands it remains almost perpetually dry. From January to March, the east coast, the far north and sometimes the far south are subject to occasional devastating cyclones. Fauna/Flora Madagascar is a continent in miniature, with varying climatic conditions and a huge number of endemic species, that make it one of the ecologically richest countries on the planet. Madagascar and the nearby Comoros have nearly one-quarter of all the plant species in Africa. It also has 90% of the known species of lemurs, and half the world's chameleon species are found there, let alone baobab trees, unique cacti and aloes from the dry areas. When the first settlers arrived, they applied slash-and-burn techniques to clear the way for agricultural use, and today barely 15% of the original forest cover remain. History/Politics The reason why Malagasy seafarers were the first to settle the island between the 1st and the 5th century AD still remains unknown. Marco Polo reported Madagascar's existence in the narrative of his travels, and it was also known to Arab cartographers. The Portuguese were the first Europeans to arrive, in a fleet under the command of Diego Dias in 1500. However, they would lose interest in the island given its lack of resources in gold, ivory and spices. The first Sakalawa and Betsilea kingdoms were founded beginning in the 16th century, with the Merina Kingdom to follow in the 17th century. King Nanpoina started the island's unification process one century later. His son Radama concluded this unification process I (1810-1828). Radama's death sparked lengthy wars of succession and the island eventually became a French colony in 1896. Colonial rule brought about deforestation, plantation cultivation of sugar cane, cotton and coffee, settlers and foreign companies taking possession of the most-fertile estates, and conditions of semi-slavery for local agricultural workers. In the decades to follow, discontent with French rule increased. The growing demand for political rights and an improvement in the economic situation sparked an uprising in 1947. Violent crackdowns by French troops left a few thousand people dead. France took steps to extend self-administration on the island a few years later. A congress, held in 1958, of the members of the provincial councils declared Madagascar a semi-autonomous member of the French Community under the name of Republic of Malagasy. On 1 November of the same year Philibert Tsiranana, leader of the Social Democratic Party, took office as president and head of state; in 1960 the republic gained complete independence. After a decade of political stability Madagascar suffered a period of political unrest, forcing the president to resign. A military junta suspended the constitution and dissolved the National Assembly and the Senate. In 1975 Colonel Didier Ratsiraka was appointed head of state and renamed the country Democratic Republic of Madagascar. Economic crisis in 1980 further intensified the population's grave social situation and caused uprisings that were put down by the government. In August 1992 a new constitution was accepted in a referendum, shortly afterwards Albert Zafy won against Ratsiraka in the presidential elections. President Zafy was removed from office by the constitutional court in 1996 on the grounds of irregularities. December 1996 presidential elections saw a victorious Ratsiraka again become head of state. Economy Madagascar is one of the poorest countries in the world. Agriculture is the largest economic factor; almost 80% of the country's workforce is active in this field. Owing to the mountainous terrain only 5% of the land are arable. The main agricultural products are rice, manioc, beans, bananas, maize, potatoes, and sweet potatoes. These commodities are mainly grown for subsistence. Coffee, cloves, sugar cane, sisal, tobacco, and vanilla (approximately 80% of the world market) are grown for export. Livestock breeding includes cattle, goats, and pigs. Timber mainly serves as fuel for domestic use. The leading branch of industry is food processing (meat packing, breweries, sugar refineries). Culture In Madagascar there are various important festivals. In March, Alahamady Be is the Malagasy New Year. The Donia, a traditional music festival, is held on the island of Nosy Be in May or June. Fisemana is a ritual purification ceremony in June. Famadihana (the "turning of the bones" burial ceremony) takes place some time between June and September. In November or December it is worth catching the Gasytsara contemporary music festival in Tana.