Madagascar ( Republique de Madagascar) is a country in Southern Africa, island in the Indian Ocean, east of Mozambique. Madagascar geographic coordinates 20 00 S, 47 00 E; area 581,540 sq km; area comparative slightly less than twice the size of Arizona; land boundaries 0 km; coastline 4,828 km; maritime claims 20; climate tropical along coast, temperate inland, arid in south; terrain narrow coastal plain, high plateau and mountains in center; elevation extremes Maromokotro 2,876 m; natural resources graphite, chromite, coal, bauxite, salt, quartz, tar sands, semiprecious stones, mica, fish, hydropower; land use 93.91% (2001); irrigated land 10,900 sq km (2000 est.); 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 species of flora and fauna unique to the island are endangered; environment international agreements none of the selected agreements; geography note world's fourth-largest island; strategic location along Mozambique Channel;

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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. government type republic; capital Antananarivo; administrative divisions 6 provinces (faritany); Antananarivo, Antsiranana, Fianarantsoa, Mahajanga, Toamasina, Toliara; independence 26 June 1960 (from France); national holiday Independence Day, 26 June (1960); constitution 19 August 1992 by national referendum; legal system based on French civil law system and traditional Malagasy law; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction; suffrage 18 years of age; universal;

people

Madagascar population 18,040,341 (July 2005 est.); age structure 3% (male 247,146/female 299,209) (2005 est.); median age 17.67 years (2005 est.); population growth rate 3.03% (2005 est.); birth rate 41.66 births/1,000 population (2005 est.); death rate 11.35 deaths/1,000 population (2005 est.); net migration rate 0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2005 est.); sex ratio 0.99 male(s)/female (2005 est.); infant mortality rate 85.05 deaths/1,000 live births; life expectancy at birth 59.4 years (2005 est.); total fertility rate 5.66 children born/woman (2005 est.); hiv adult rate 1.7% (2003 est.); hiv people with aids 140,000 (2003 est.); hiv deaths 7,500 (2003 est.); major infectious diseases water contact disease:Regions

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