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Madagascar:
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Other pages in this profile of Madagascar:
People, Government, Economy, Communications & Transportation, Military & Transnational Issues.
People, Government, Economy, Communications & Transportation, Military & Transnational Issues.
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Background |
Formerly an independent kingdom, Madagascar became a French colony in 1896, 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. The 2001 presidential election was contested between the followers of Didier RATSIRAKA and Marc RAVALOMANANA, nearly causing secession of half of the country. In April 2002, the High Constitutional Court announced RAVALOMANANA the winner. |
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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 |
Area - comparative |
slightly less than twice the size of Arizona |
Land boundaries |
0 km |
Coastline |
4,828 km |
Maritime claims |
territorial sea: 12 nm contiguous zone: 24 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm continental shelf: 200 nm or 100 nm from the 2,500-m deep isobath |
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: 5.03% permanent crops: 1.02% other: 93.95% (2005) |
Irrigated land |
10,860 sq km (2003) |
Natural hazards |
periodic cyclones, drought, and locust infestation |
Environment - current issues |
soil erosion results from deforestation and overgrazing; desertification; surface water contaminated with raw sewage and other organic wastes; several endangered species of flora and fauna unique to the island |
Environment - international agreements |
party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Life Conservation, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements |
Geography - note |
world's fourth-largest island; strategic location along Mozambique Channel |
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Copyright 2008 World Sites Atlas (sitesatlas.com) |