The Republic of Madagascar is an island off the coast of East Africa. Situated in the Indian Ocean, the island country is east of Mozambique and west of French Réunion Island and Mauritius.
The country is made up of Madagascar Island, the fourth-largest in the world, and several smaller islands.
About 5% of the plant and animal species in the world are found only on Madagascar. The island is known for its lemurs, endemic to Madagascar, but the island contains several other unique creatures, such as a cat-like predator known as the fossa, related to the mongoose family. Madagascar is also home to some colorful chameleons, frogs of various colors, and some strange insects. Madagascar also has some interesting plants, such as the baobab, of which six of its nine species are native to the island.
On the island of Madagascar, rainforests can be found less than 200 miles from a desert. There are sandstone canyons, limestone plateaus, mountains, hills, rice paddies, and varied forests. As an island, the sea is never far away.
The earliest evidence of a human presence on the island was about 2000 BC, although it is believed that the island was not settled before 350 BC, and possibly not until 550 AD. Its first inhabitants came from Southeast Asia, and were soon joined by people from the African mainland.
Up until the 1700s, Madagascar was controlled by shifting alliances. By the early 1800s, most of the island was ruled by one power, referred to as the Kingdom of Madagascar, but its unity was unable to long resist the onslaught of European aggression.
Madagascar came under the rule of the French in 1896, and remained under French control until 1960. Madagascar's independence movement, which began in the 1930s, was successful in 1960, largely due to France's own disunity during World War II and the anti-imperialist attitudes that followed.
Like many new governments, particularly in Africa, independence proved not to be a smooth process. Since 1960, Madagascar has experienced four constitutional crises. Originally a republic, the country has been a constitutional democracy since 1992. Madagascar has been thrust from one violently ousted leader to another, although its 2003 presidential election was considered to have been fair by international observers, and the winner of this election was still in power as of 2017.
The administrative capital of Madagascar is Antananarivo, which is also the country's largest city, centrally located in the highlands region of the island. Antananarivo has been Madagascar's capital city since the early 1600s. The next largest cities on the island are Antsirabe, Toamasina, and Mahajanga, each of which have populations above 400,000.
Corruption in Madagascar has decreased since the 2013 elections, by all reports, although political arrests and a degree of corruption within the country's military and law enforcement personnel are not unheard of, and the independent media have come under varying degrees of pressure, with some media outlets forced to close. Nevertheless, high-level officials have been successfully prosecuted by the government's anti-corruption bureau.
Madagascar has been burdened by a large international debt for years, and nearly 70% of its population is below the established poverty line threshold of one dollar a day. There has been some growth in its economy in the past five years, but this has been largely eaten up by public works programs and a growth in its service sector. Agriculture, fishing, and forestry are important factors in the country's economy, and tourism has increased since the island has enjoyed relative stability in the past few years.
Madagascar roads are undeveloped, and in poor repair, mostly unpaved, many of which are impassable during the rainy season. The island has several railroad lines, and seaports in Toamasina, Ehoala, Mahajanga, and Antsiranana. There are several regional airports, served by Air Madagascar.
A government service provider supplies water and electricity to the island, although it is unable to service the entire population. In 2010, fewer than 10% of the population had access to electric services provided by the government, and even fewer had running water. Much of the population is dependent on diesel generators for electricity. Mobile telephone and Internet access is common in urban areas, but rare in the rural sections of the island. Radio broadcasts are the primary means of information for the Madagascar population.
More than 90% of the population are of the Malagasy ethnic group. Populations of Chinese, Indian, Comoran, and French are present on Madagascar, although its European population has declined considerably since independence. More than 50% of the population practice traditional religions, while just over 40% are Christian, and Islam is a significant minority religion.
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Adam, Lora, Matimu, and David Willard
The Willard family are missionaries to Madagascar, part of Youth With A Mission, and partnering with Africa Inland Mission, carrying out a church-planting mission to the Antakarana people in northwestern Madagascar. An introduction to the family, an overview of their qualifications and mission, and opportunities to contribute to their work are set forth, including photographs and video.
http://madmissions.com/
Established in San Diego, California, Cortez USA began making travel arrangements to Madagascar for research scientists and nature enthusiasts in 1987, and has since become a full-time tour outfitter and operator for travel to the fourth-largest island in the world, including air and land arrangements for small groups and individuals. A profile of Madagascar is presented, along with a trip planner, client testimonials, and contacts.
http://www.air-mad.com/
The company operates one of the world's largest nickel mines in Madagascar, producing nickel and refined cobalt. Its site includes a map showing the locations of its operations in Madagascar, general information about the company and its operations and products, partnerships, and history, sustainability and environmental programs, as well as photographs, video, posters, slides, briefs, and other media. Career opportunities are published to the site.
http://www.ambatovy.com/
The Malagasy-owned tour company has been in operation since 1998, offering custom tours, ecotourism vacations, community-based tours, wildlife tours, cultural tours, seminars and educational tours, cycling expeditions, hiking trips, vacations and beach holidays on the islands of Madagascar. The company, its teams, areas of specialization, and contacts are posted to the site, with photographs and vacation ideas.
http://www.cactus-madagascar.com/
Exploring Tourism (Madagascar)
The travel company offers custom travel services and tour packages to the East African island country of Madagascar, which may include airport transfers, guide services, hotel accommodations, sightseeing and other excursions within the island. Its package tours are highlighted, with photographs, descriptions, prices, and promotional offers. Recommendations, guest testimonials, and destinations are included.
http://www.travelomadagascar.com/
The Christian non-profit, non-governmental organization was formed to assist the Malagasy poor in Madagascar, particularly in urban Toamasina and the surrounding rural areas, offering foster care services, school sponsorships, food, medical and dental care, and counseling services. Its history, organizational structure, services, needs, and sponsorship opportunities are set forth.
http://helpmg.org/
Headquartered in Antananarivo, Madagascar, the non-profit organization is involved in projects relating to finding solutions to problems of deforestation, pollution, and poverty in Madagascar, conducting ecological research, conservation education, sustainable development efforts, construction, and recycling programs. Information on volunteering with the program is set forth, along with contacts.
http://impactmadagascar.org/
The Christian ministry began in Antananarivo, the capital of Madagascar, in 2010, and is registered as a non-governmental organization, working primarily with children living in poverty or other hardships. It site offers an overview of its work with the children of Madagascar, discusses its continuing needs, and provides an opportunity for readers to contribute or sponsor its mission work.
http://www.irismadagascar.org/
Founded by Father Pedro Pablo Opeka, an Argentinian priest of the Vincentian Order, the non-profit organization has provided homes, education, and healthcare to children and others in Madagascar, which also brought about the building of sports fields, classrooms, libraries, and homes, as well as the planting of trees on the island. Its projects are highlighted, including several videos, a gallery of photographs, and sponsorships.
http://www.madagascar-foundation.org/
Offered by the Norcross-Madagascar Group, which mines, manufactures, and distributes gem, mineral, and fossil products on the Madagascar islands, maintains a museum and participates in gem shows. Its products are shown in an online catalog, which allows for online purchases, and its investor relations, mining properties, factory operations, and career opportunities are posted, along with a guide to its stones.
http://www.madagascarminerals.com/
The independent oil and gas company has been exploring in Madagascar since 2004 and, in 2015 it became the first oil and gas company to make the transition from an exploration license to a development license when it received an upstream mining title, and is developing an oil deposit at Tsimiroro, as well as continuing explorations in other areas of the island. Its operations are outlined, and press releases are posted to the site.
https://www.madagascaroil.com/
Madagascar Travel Booking Service
The travel service specializes in booking hotels, car hires, private guide services, safaris, and adventure packages on the Madagascar islands. The site includes a history of Madagascar, information about obtaining a visa and passports, suggestions on when to visit, and information about money and currencies in the island country. Suggested guest accommodations are highlighted, along with attractions and events.
http://www.madagascartravelservice.com/
Highlighting the flora, fauna, and people of Madagascar, the site presents an overview of the island nation, including maps, historical and geographical information, and photos and data relating to the island’s birds, fish, frogs, invertebrates, reptiles, lemurs, and other animals, as well as a synopsis of its ecosystems, unique plant life, forest types, and a map showing the land cover and vegetation types.
http://www.wildmadagascar.org/
A map shows the location of the island country, as well as its major cities, and a representation of the Madagascar flag are provided by the United States Central Intelligence Agency. Other resources include a profile of the country and its geographical features and natural resources, its governmental structure, economy, and energy and transportation infrastructure.
https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/ma.html
