ResourcesOverview
Madagascar is one of the world’s largest islands. Along with the Indian sub-continent it was separated off from the rest of Africa during the Jurassic, and was then separated from the Indian subcontinent (and the granitic Seychelles) during the late Jurassic/early Cretaceous. There are clear differences between the physical conditions and resulting ecological communities on the east and west coasts. The east coast is steep and, in places, mountainous. This is matched by a steeply shelving bathymetry and narrow continental shelf. The central and southern sections of this coast are dominated by vast sandy beaches and barrier islands and there is no offshore reef development. Further north the coastline becomes more complex, with a number of embayments and rocky headlands as well as offshore islands. There are a number of emergent fossil reefs along the more northerly sections of this coastline. Active coral growth is also widespread in the north, often growing on fossil structures offshore, although not always contributing to active reef accretion. There is a submerged and fragmented barrier reef described off Toamasina, although the recent status of this is unclear. Discontinuous fringing reefs also occur off the coast around Foulpointe and Mananara, Nosy Boraha (Sainte Marie Island), and the Masoala Peninsula.
For its size, Madagascar is relatively sparsely populated. The majority of the coastal population is concentrated on the eastern coast, while the western coast is less developed, aside from the larger cities of Tulear and Mahajanga. It is this west coast, however, that also supports the majority of fishing and tourism-based activities. Artisanal fishing is a critical activity, accounting for an estimated 55 percent of all fishery production from an estimated 1 250 fishing villages operating over 20 000 small vessels (pirogues, mostly without engines). Reef-associated species are heavily relied upon, accounting for 43 percent of total production. It remains a largely traditional fishery, although there are increasing numbers of migrant fishers who do not observe existing customs and taboos. Largerscale commercial and export fisheries make up the remainder of the fishery and, together with aquaculture, provide critical foreign exchange earnings. Tourism is another important and relatively rapidly developing activity, with at least 50 percent of arrivals visiting the coast.
Geography
Area: 592,800 sq. km. (228,880 sq. mi.).
Cities: Capital--Antananarivo (pop. about 1,300,000). Other cities--Antsirabe (about 500,000), Mahajanga (about 400,000), Toamasina (about 450,000).
Terrain: Mountainous central plateau, coastal plain.
Climate: Moderate interior, tropical coasts.
People
Nationality: Noun and adjective--Malagasy.
Population (2000.): 15,467,300.
Annual growth rate (2000.): 4.7%.
Ethnic groups: 18 Malagasy tribes; small groups of Comorians, French, Indians, and Chinese.
Religions: Traditional beliefs 47%, Christian 45%, Muslim 7%.
Languages: Malagasy (official), French.
Education: Years compulsory--5. Attendance--65%. Literacy--53%.
Health: Infant mortality rate--90/1,000. Life expectancy--55 yrs.
Work force (2000): 8 million. Agriculture--80%; industry--7%.
Economy
GDP (U.S.$million): $3,877. GDP per capita: $269. Unemployment: 23%. Natural resources: Graphite, chrome, coal, bauxite, ilmenite, gold, tar sands, semiprecious stones, hardwoods.
Agriculture (29% of GDP): Products--rice, livestock, seafood, coffee, vanilla, sugar, cloves, cotton, sisal, peanuts, tobacco.
Industry (14% of GDP): Types--processed food, clothing, textiles, mining, paper, refined petroleum products, glassware, construction, soap, cement, tanning.
Trade (2000): Exports--$1,061 million: apparel, shrimp, vanilla, coffee, sugar, cloves, graphite, essential oils, industrial and gemstones. Major export markets--France, U.S., Germany, Japan, Singapore, Italy, EU. Imports (2000)--$1,464 million: consumer goods, foodstuffs, crude oil, machinery and vehicles, iron and steel, electronics, computers and accessories. Major suppliers--EU, France, Iran, Japan.
Profile
Madagascar's population is predominantly of mixed Asian and African origin. Recent research suggests that the island was uninhabited until Indonesian seafarers arrived in roughly the first century A.D., probably by way of southern India and East Africa, where they acquired African wives and slaves. Subsequent migrations from both the Pacific and Africa further consolidated this original mixture, and 18 separate tribal groups emerged. Asian features are most predominant in the central highlands people, the Merina (3 million) and the Betsileo (2 million); the coastal people are of African origin.
The largest coastal groups are the Betsimisaraka (1.5 million) and the Tsimihety and Sakalava (700,000 each).
The Malagasy language is of Malayo-Polynesian origin and is generally spoken throughout the island. French also is spoken among the educated population of this former French colony.
Most people practice traditional religions, which tend to emphasize links between the living and the dead. They believe that the dead join their ancestors in the ranks of divinity and that ancestors are intensely concerned with the fate of their living descendants. This spiritual communion is celebrated by the Merina and Betsileo reburial practice of famadihana, or "turning over the dead." In this ritual, relatives' remains are removed from the family tomb, rewrapped in new silk shrouds, and returned to the tomb following festive ceremonies in their honor.
About 45% of the Malagasy are Christian, divided almost evenly between Roman Catholic and Protestant. Many incorporate the cult of the dead with their religious beliefs and bless their dead at church before proceeding with the traditional burial rites. They also may invite a pastor to attend a famadihana.
History
Historical rivalry exists between the predominantly Catholic masses, considered to be underprivileged, and the predominantly Protestant Merina aristocrats, who tend to prevail in the civil service, business, and professions. A new policy of decentralizing resources and authority is intended to enhance the development potential of all Madagascar's provinces. Provincial Council members were elected by popular vote in December 2000. In March 2001, the new Provincial Council members joined mayors and communal council members in each province in electing Senators to represent them in the national parliament. Governors were elected by Electoral College in June 2001. Transfer of duties and establishments of budgets are in progress.
The written history of Madagascar began in the seventh century A.D., when Arabs established trading posts along the northwest coast. European contact began in the 1500s, when Portuguese sea captain Diego Dias sighted the island after his ship became separated from a fleet bound for India. In the late 17th century, the French established trading posts along the east coast. From about 1774 to 1824, it was a favorite haunt for pirates, including Americans, one of whom brought Malagasy rice to South Carolina.
Beginning in the 1790s, Merina rulers succeeded in establishing hegemony over the major part of the island, including the coast. In 1817, the Merina ruler and the British governor of Mauritius concluded a treaty abolishing the slave trade, which had been important in Madagascar's economy. In return, the island received British military and financial assistance. British influence remained strong for several decades, during which the Merina court was converted to Presbyterianism, Congregationalism, and Anglicanism.
The British accepted the imposition of a French protectorate over Madagascar in 1885 in return for eventual control over Zanzibar (now part of Tanzania) and as part of an overall definition of spheres of influence in the area. Absolute French control over Madagascar was established by military force in 1895-96, and the Merina monarchy was abolished.
Malagasy troops fought in France, Morocco, and Syria during World War I. After France fell to the Germans, Madagascar was administered first by the Vichy government and then in 1942 by the British, whose troops occupied the strategic island to preclude its seizure by the Japanese. The Free French received the island from the United Kingdom in 1943.
In 1947, with French prestige at low ebb, a nationalist uprising was suppressed only after several months of bitter fighting. The French subsequently established reformed institutions in 1956 under the Loi Cadre (Overseas Reform Act), and Madagascar moved peacefully toward independence. The Malagasy Republic was proclaimed on October 14, 1958, as an autonomous state within the French Community. A period of provisional government ended with the adoption of a constitution in 1959 and full independence on June 26, 1960.
Information provided by CIA Worldfactbook, US Department of State, Coral Reef Action Network (ICRAN). ReefBase: Oliver, J. and M. Noordeloos. Editors. 2002, UNEP World Conservation Monitoring Center,
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