MadagascarChloe

= Madagascar =    = __**Backround:**__ = **Madagascar is the fourth largest island in the world. Originally Madagascar was a Free Kingdom. However it became a French Colony in 1896, then later reestablished its independence in 1960. During the year 1992-93 Madagascars Monarchy ended with the beginning of Presidential elections. The second presidential election began in 1997 The 1970 Leader Didier Ratsiraka was appointed presidency. In 2001 the presidential election was between the followers of Ratsiraka and Marc Ravalomanana, which nearly caused a secession in Madagascar. Later on in 2002 Ravalomanana was declared the winner, he served two terms then later due to protesting was asked too step down. The presidency was given too the mayor of Antananarivo (nations capital) Andry Rajoelina.** =Government and People Information=

__**Government:**__
**republic****. Its suffrage is the universal age of 18. The countries Independence was recieved only 50 years ago on June 26th, 1960. Madagascars Political leaders are: the President of Madagascar Andry Rajoelina (march 18th 2009) Prime minister Albert Camille Vital ( head of government sense December 18th 2009), and the cabinet is a group of ministers elected by the Prime minister. **
 * Madagascars formal name is a much longer name The Republic of Madagascar. The Capital of Madagascar is Antananarivo. Thus its government type is**

__**People:**__
= Life Data Table: = **Natural Resources:**
 * The population of Madagascar is 20,853,556 and growing the population growth rate is 3% this estimation was taken in July 2010. The people are formally known as Malagasy. Malayo-Indonesian, Cotiers, French, Indian, Creole, Comoran are the different ethnic groups of Madagascar, and just like the many ethnic groups Madagascar has three different official languages French, English, and Malagasy. Education of Madagascar is 3.1% the expectancy of the countries education is ten years for males and nine years for females. About 68 percent of the country are literate. The countries religious beliefs are 41% Christianity, 52% Indigenous Religions, and 7% muslim.**
 * **Infant Mortality Rate** || **54.2 Deaths/ 1,000 live per year** ||
 * **Life Expectancy** || **Males: 60 years Females: 64 years** ||
 * **Net Migration Rate** || **NA** ||
 * **Graphite**
 * **Chromite**
 * **Coal**
 * **Bauxite**
 * **Salt**
 * **Quartz**
 * **Tar sand**
 * **Semiprecious stone**
 * **Mica**
 * **Fish**
 * **Hydropower**
 * Natural Hazards:**
 * **Consistant cyclones**
 * **Locust infestation**
 * **Drought**

= Geographical Data Table =

**587,041 sq km**
 * = **Location** ||= ** An island in the Indian Ocean, off the coast of South Africa, eastern to Mozambique. - coordinates: 20 00 S, 47 00 E ** ||
 * = **Area** ||= **total:**

**Comparison to the world: 46**

**land: 581,540 sq km ** **water: 5,501 sq km ** || **5.03%** **Crops: 1.02% ** **other: 93.95% ** ||
 * = **Borders** ||= **0 km** ||
 * = **Landforms** ||= **Enormous Plateaus, Massive mountains, Extremely Narrow Coastal Plains** ||
 * = **Land Use** ||= **Farm land-**
 * = **Climate** ||= ** Tropical coast, Moderate inland, Dreary in the south. ** ||
 * = **Enviromental Issues** ||= **soil erosions, contaminated surface water, endangered species.** ||


 * ~ ||~ =**Economical Data table**= ||
 * **GDP Per Capita** || **Estimate sense 2009 $1,000 (comparison to the world 213)** ||
 * **Official currency** || **Malagasy Franc = 100 centimes** ||
 * **Labor Force** || **Estimate sense 2007 9.504 million (comparison to the world 51)** ||
 * **Exchange Rate** || **MGA per U.S. 1,966.97** ||
 * **Economic Overview** || **Privatization and Liberalization** ||
 * **Industries** || **Meat Processing, Sugar, Brewaries, Tanneries, Soap, Cement, Automotive assembly, Glassware, Textiles, Paper, And Petroleum Products** ||
 * **Agriculture Products** || **Coffee, Vanilla, Sugar Canes, Cocoa, Rice, Tapioca, Beans, Bananas, Peanuts, Livestock** ||
 * **Imports** || **Capital/Consumer goods, petroleum, food** ||
 * **Exports** || **Petroleum products, chromite, sugar, vanilla, shelfish, clothes material such as cotton** ||
 * **Illegal Drug** || **Heroine** ||



The National Flag of Madagascar

 * The Flag of Madagascar consists of three stripes, one vertical two horizontal. The vertical stripe is completely white and is found on the left side of the flag. The two horizontal stripes lay directly on top of each other and can be found on the right side of the flag. The top horizontal stripe is totally red, similar to the bottom stripe which is completely green. Just like in many countries the flag of Madagascar is used for traditional and memorial events.**



** Tourist Information **
 * The Beautiful island of Madagascar is a great place too visit if you enjoy beautiful landscape, amazingly high mountains and plateaus, and breath taking tropical beaches. The island is has heavey rainfall during the months of December through March. However the temperature is constant year round no matter how heavy the rain -fall. All visitors of the island must have a visa and must show proof of the purchased ticket. Best ways too travel from village too village is by dougout canoes called Lakanas. The time difference is 3 hours and the official currencey is called Malagasy Franc. Shopping days are from monday to saturday and banking days are from monday to friday**.


 * Public Holiday dates**


 * **1st January ** || **New Years Day ** ||
 * **29th March ** || **Memorial Day ** ||
 * **1st May ** || **Labor Day ** ||
 * **26th June ** || **Independence Day ** ||
 * **25th December ** || **Christmas Day ** ||
 * **Moveable holidays: ** || **<span style="font-family: Verdana,helvetica,arial;">Good Friday and Easter Monday ** ||


 * Time Line**
 * **1880s-1905** - **France unifies its hold over Madagascar in the face of local resistance**
 * **1960 26 June - Madagascar regains its Independence**
 * **1975 June -Madagascar is renamed the Republic of Madagascar and Ratsiraka is elected president for a seven-year term.**
 * **1976 - Ratsiraka nationalizes large parts of the economy, forms the Arema party. Over the years Ratsiraka improves the countries economy.**
 * **2001 February - The Crisis Unit for the Defense of Democracy, is established following the imprisonment of MP Jean-Eugene Voninahitsy for insulting the president and cheque fraud.**
 * **2001 May –After 29 years the Senate reopens, Thus finishing the government framework. Therefore in 1992 the constitution was provided, which replaced the socialist revolutionary system.**
 * **2001 December - Presidential elections. Opposite candidate Marc Ravalomanana takes a complete victory and says “there's no need for a second round.”**
 * **2002 January - Ravalomanana and his followers mount a strike and a swarm protestors.**
 * **2009 January –Due to violent protests in Antananarivo many deaths occurred. As a result the mayor of Antananarivo leader Andry Rajoelina demands the presidents resignation, and appoints himself in charge of the country following the riots.**
 * **2009 February – Government removes Andry Rajoelina from his post as Antananarivo mayor.**