.Janvi Shah & Gina Youn

• Madagascar used to be known as the Malagasy republic

• An island Southeast of Africa in the Indian Ocean

• Home to 5% of the animal species• Used to be a French colony but gained

independence in June 26, 1960

• The main part of Madagascar’s economy consists of agriculture, fishing, and forestry ( 70% of export earnings).

• Industrial economy consists of textile manufacturing, and processing of agricultural products.

• Tourism is also a large part of the economy.

Agriculture

Industry

Service

Agriculture

Industry

Service

• 1997-2000 period of economic growth• In 2001-2004, a dispute over presidential

elections caused the GDP to drop 12.7%• Malagasy Ariary’s value dropped

significantly• 24% inflation• Stricter monetary enforcement helped the

growth development return to normal• Poverty levels are still fairly high

• Vanilla has been historically important in Madagascar’s economy. When Coca-Cola switched to a different recipe using less vanilla, Madagascar’s economy fell drastically. Fortunately, Coke switched back to the original recipe and the economy returned to its normal state

• Madagascar is also known for being the world’s large cinnamon market

• The Malagasy are the majority of the people is Madagascar

• There are two subgroups• Those near the higher lands are known as

the Merina and the Betsileo• Those near the coast are the Tanosy and

the Temoro

• Some other ethnic groups include:• Antesaka• Betsimisaraka• Mahafaly• Sakalava• Takarana• Tsimihety• Bara• Tanala• Mikea• Sihanaka

• Official languages: Malagasy and French • Malagasy is spoken throughout the entire

island • French is only spoken between the people

who are educated• English is rarely spoken throughout the

country• The government is introducing a program

that will have the schools teach English to the children

• In 1958, the constitution noted that French and Malagasy were the official languages

• No official languages were listed in the constitution of 1992

• Malagasy is acknowledged as the “national language”• However, there are still arguments that both French and

Malagasy are official

• In the Constitution of 2007, Malagasy was still the national language, but French and English considered to the official languages

• Considered to be amultiparty republic

• They have a president, a parliament , a prime ministry, and a cabinet

• The president serves a five-year term and can be re-elected twice

• The National Assembly consists of 160 people

Coat of Arms

• The senate consists of 90 senators• 60 are elected by the people and 30 are

elected by the president • They all serve 6-year terms • President appoints the Prime Minister• President holds the most power

• The Southeastern wind contributes a large role in the climate of Madagascar

• Madagascar has two distinct seasons; a hot wet season and a cool dry season.

• The climate tends to vary with the elevation and position toward the Southeastern wind.

• East has heaviest rainfall (3.5 meters). This region is known for hot humid climate.

• Central highlands are drier due to rain shadow effect

• Lightning tends to be a serious fire hazard in the central highlands were lightning storms are common

• Southwest and South have desert climate.• Only about 30cm of rain falls in the south• Surface water is most abundant in the east• Madagascar has a serious cyclone season.• The last serious cyclone was in 1994 leaving 70

human casualties.• Caused about 45 million dollars worth of

damage

• A little less than half of the people in Madagascar practice tribal religions which emphasize the living and the dead.

• Around 45% are Christian, either Catholic or Protestant.

• The remaining people (around 10%) are Muslim.

• Major imports include: petroleum, consumer goods, food

• Import partners: (see chart)• $881 million Import Partners

France50%

Hong Kong19%

Japan19%

China6%

Singapore6%

• Major exports include: coffee, vanilla, sugarcane, cloves, cocoa, rice, cassava (tapioca), beans, bananas, peanuts and livestock products

• Export partners: (see chart)• $600 million

Export Partners

France57%

US13%

Germany12%

Japan9%

UK9%

• On the margin of mainstream African foreign relations

• Welcomes relations with all countries• Strong links with United States,

Europe, Japan, India, and China• Reopened embassy in London in 2004

after 30 years of it being closed

• Many natural resources are found in Madagascar, including:

• Minerals: mica, quartz, graphite, chromite, semiprecious stones

• Coal, salt, and fish• Water (hydropower)

• An island in the Indian Ocean, across from Mozambique

• Fourth largest island in the world

• There is a steep escarpment between the plateau and low-lying coastal areas

• Known as the “Red Island” because of red laterite soil that is being exposed by erosion

• The highest mountain on the island is Maromokotro, at 9,436 ft, which is about 1/3 that of Mt. Everest.

• Extensive deforestation and slash-and-burn practices have caused erosion (on right)

• In the background: the Tsingy de Bemaraha Strict Nature Reserve, which protects many animals and mangrove forests in the area.

• September 23, 2007 - Parliament elections, Tiako I Madagasikara party won 105 of the seats.

• October 19 - Conflict over a new mining project in Southern Madagascar that is affecting the health of people in the area

• June 27 - 6 national parks found to be so unique that they were added to the World Heritage List

• Name three of Madagascar’s exports• Vanilla, sugarcane, cloves, cocoa, rice,

cassava (tapioca), beans, bananas, peanuts and livestock products

• How many years does the president serve and how many times can he be re-elected?

• 5 years, re-elected twice