Madagascar Basic Info
Located off the southeast coast of Africa, Madagascar is the fourth-largest island in the world, with a total area of 587,040 sq km. It is separated from the coast of Africa by the Mozambique Channel, the least distance between the island and the coast being about 430 km.
Provinces & Regions
Madagascar consists of 6 provinces which can be further divided into 22 administrative regions.​
*Antananarivo Province
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Itasy
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Analamanga
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Vakinankaratra
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Bongolava
Antsiranana Province
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Diana
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Sava
Mahajanga Province
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Sofia
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Boeny
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Betsiboka
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Melaky
Toamasina Province
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Alaotra Mangoro
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Atsinanana
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Analanjirofo
Fianarantsoa Province
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Amoron'i Mania
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Haute-Matsiatra
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Vatovavy-Fitovinany
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Atsimo-Atsinanana
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Ihorombe
Toliara Province
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Menabe
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Atsimo Andrefana
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Androy
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Anosy
*Capital of Madagascar
People
The first group of people arrived in Madagascar between 350 BC and 550 AD from Borneo, present-day Indonesia. These Austronesian first settlers were joined around 1000 AD by Bantu migrants, another ethnic group from southern part of Africa.
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These Madagascar-native people are called "Malagasy" and they are still the majority of Madagascar population until now.
Religions: Indigenous beliefs 52%, Christianity 41%, Islam 7%
Languages: Malagasy (official, and national language), French (official)
Currency: Madagascar Ariary (MGA); Ar1000 ≈ ฿9.50
Brief Historical Background
800 - 900 AD
Arab merchants begin trading along the northern coast.
August 10, 1500
Portuguese sea captain Diogo Dias becomes first European to land on Madagascar after he is blown off course on the way to India.
The late 1600s through early 1700s
Pirates ruled the eastern coast of the island.
1810 - 1828
Radama I, a Merina king who has help from the British, unifies most of the country save for the Sakalava kingdom in the far west and far south. Radama opens the country to English missionaries who spread Christianity throughout the island and transcribed Malagasy to a written language. Under his reign, a miniature Industrial Revolution brings induatry to the island.
1846
Combined French and English force attacks Tamatave but fails to make much headway. Ranavalona I's son, Radama II restores contact with the outside world and ends the persecution of Christians.
1865 & 1868
Treaties are signed with England and France respectively.
1890
The British recognize a French protectorate over Madagascar in exchange for concessions in Zanzibar.
1896
France annexes Madagascar as a colony and later unifies the country under a single government.
1947
The French crush rebellion lead by Jean Ralaimongo. Up to 80,000 Malagasy are killed.
350 BC - 550 AD
First settled by Indonesians or people of mixed Indonesian/African descent.
1200 AD
Central highlands of the island are settled.
1500s
Portuguese, French, Dutch, and English attempt to establish trading settlements which fail due to hostile conditions and fierce local Malagasy.
1700s
The Sakalava of the western coast establish the first kingdom which extended from Tulear in the south to Diego Suarez in the north.
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The French attempt to establish military positions on the east coast but by the early 19th century the only settlement they could claim was the island of Ste. Marie.
1863
Radama II is assassinated
1828 - 1861
Radama I is succeeded by his widow Ranavalona I, who terrorizes the country for 33 years by persecuting Christians, evicting foreigners, executing political rivals, and reviving the custom of killing babies born in unlucky days.
1883 - 1885
Franco-Malagasy War results in December 17, 1885 peace agreement that gives France a greater influence in the affairs of Madagascar.
December 1894
France invades Madagascar and takes the captial Tana on October 1, 1895. France loses only 20 men in battle during the campaign but more than 6,000 to disease.
1896
The first of several uprisings against French rule
June 26, 1960
Madagascar gains independence.
1975
After a three years of political instability, Didier Ratsiraka takes control and establishes a quasi-Maxist state by nationalizing institutions, launching social and economic reforms, and cultivating friendships with Communist states. The economy begins a sustained decline that will last into the 1990s.
1993
Ratsiraka is ousted and replaced with Albert Zafy who wins democratic elections and forms the Thrid Republic. Zafy later runs into trouble by continually breaching the constitution and is impeached by the National Assembly.
2001
Marc Ravalomanana, mayor of Tana, is elected president with 52% of the vote. Ratsiraka refuses to accept the result and a political snafu ensues. Ratsiraka sets up a a rival government in his home town of Toasmasina and his supporters lay seige to Antananarivo, blocking roads and dynamiting bridges. The population in Tana suffered greatly -- prices for food and vital supplies soared, thousands of jobs were lost, businesses went under, the poor starved. After a court monitored recount reaffirmed that Ravalomanana was indeed the victor, the army lent its support and other nations recognized the elected president's government. Ratsiraka fled in exile to France in July 2002.
2009
President Marc Ravalomanana was ousted in March 2009 during an uprising led by Andry Rajoelina, then-mayor of Antananarivo. Rajoelina has since ushered in a Fourth Republic and rules Madagascar as the President of the High Transitional Authority without recognition from the international community.Madagascar consists of 6 provinces which can be further
divided into 22 administrative regions.
1991
After an economic collapse, Malagasy take to the streets and demand a new government
1997
Ratsiraka is voted back into power and is successful in restoring some of his dictatorial powers.
2006
Marc Ravalomanana was re-elected for a second term.
Let's Explore Madagascar
Basic Info
Get to know better about this country. Location, historical background, people and more.
Geology
How did this island form? What were the key depositional and tectonic settings behind it.
Biodiversity
Hiding in dense rain forest of isolated island live exotic animals to be encountered.
Tourist Attractions
Where to visit.
What to eat.
When to go.