Madagascar

Island country in the Indian Ocean

This article is about the island nation. For the island itself, see Geography of Madagascar. For the film franchise, see Madagascar (franchise). For other uses, see Madagascar (disambiguation).

Republic of Madagascar

* Repoblikan'i Madagasikara (Malagasy)
* République de Madagascar (French)

Flag

Seal

Motto:

* Fitiavana, Tanindrazana, Fandrosoana (Malagasy)
* Amour, Patrie, Progrès (French)
* "Love, Fatherland, Progress"[1]

Anthem: Ry Tanindrazanay malala ô! (Malagasy)
Ô Terre de nos ancêtres bien-aimés! (French)
"Oh, land of our beloved ancestors!"

Location of Madagascar (dark green)

Capital

and largest city

| Antananarivo
18°55′S 47°31′E﻿ / ﻿18.917°S 47.517°E﻿ / -18.917; 47.517
Official languages| Malagasy • French
Ethnic groups

(2017)[2]

* 26% Merina
* 15% Betsimisaraka
* 12% Betsileo
* 7% Tsimihety
* 6% Sakalava
* 5% Antaisaka
* 5% Antandroy
* 24% others

Religion

(2025)[3]

* 49.7% Christianity
* 42.6% ethnic religions
* 7% Islam
* 0.4% non-religious
* 0.1% Hinduism
* 0.2% other

Demonym(s)| Malagasy[4][5]
Government| Unitary semi-presidential republic

• President

| Andry Rajoelina

• Prime Minister

| Christian Ntsay
Legislature| Parliament

• Upper house

| Senate

• Lower house

| National Assembly
Formation

• Kingdom[6]

| c. 1540

• French colony[7]

| 6 August 1896

• Republic proclaimed

| 14 October 1958

• Declaration of independence

| 26 June 1960
Area

• Total

| 592,796[8] km2 (228,880 sq mi) (46th)

• Water

| 5,501 km2 (2,124 sq mi)

• Water (%)

| 0.9%
Population

• 2024 estimate

| 31,964,956[9] (49th)

• Density

| 55/km2 (142.4/sq mi)
GDP (PPP)| 2023 estimate

• Total

|  $56.754 billion[10] (117th)

• Per capita

|  $1,906[10] (182nd)
GDP (nominal)| 2023 estimate

• Total

|  $15.763 billion[10] (139th)

• Per capita

|  $529[10] (188th)
Gini (2012)|  42.6[11]
medium inequality
HDI (2023)|  0.487[12]
low (183rd)
Currency| Ariary (MGA)
Time zone| UTC+3 (EAT)

• Summer (DST)

| UTC+3 (not observed[13])
Date format| dd/mm/yyyy
Calling code| +261[13]
ISO 3166 code| MG
Internet TLD| .mg

Madagascar,[a] officially the Republic of Madagascar,[b] is an island country that includes the island of Madagascar and numerous smaller peripheral islands. Lying off the southeastern coast of Africa, it is the world's fourth-largest island, the second-largest island country, and the 46th-largest country overall.[14] Its capital and largest city is Antananarivo.

Following the prehistoric breakup of the supercontinent Gondwana, Madagascar split from Africa during the Early Jurassic period, around 180 million years ago, and separated from the Indian subcontinent approximately 90 million years ago.[15] This isolation allowed native plants and animals to evolve in relative seclusion; as a result, Madagascar is a biodiversity hotspot and one of the world's 17 megadiverse countries, with over 90% of its wildlife being endemic. The island has a subtropical to tropical maritime climate. Madagascar was first permanently settled during or before the mid-first millennium AD (roughly AD 500 to AD 700) by Austronesian peoples,[16] presumably arriving on outrigger canoes from present-day Indonesia.[17][18][19] These were joined around the ninth century AD by Bantu groups crossing the Mozambique Channel from East Africa.[20] Other groups continued to settle on Madagascar over time, each one making lasting contributions to Malagasy cultural life. Consequently, there are 18 or more classified peoples of Madagascar, the most numerous being the Merina of the central highlands.

Until the late 18th century, the island of Madagascar was ruled by a fragmented assortment of shifting sociopolitical alliances. Beginning in the early 19th century, most of it was united and ruled as the Kingdom of Madagascar by a series of Merina nobles. The monarchy was ended in 1897 by the annexation by France, from which Madagascar gained independence in 1960. The country has since undergone four major constitutional periods, termed republics, and has been governed as a constitutional democracy since 1992. Following a political crisis and military coup in 2009, Madagascar underwent a protracted transition towards its fourth and current republic, with constitutional governance being restored in January 2014.

Madagascar is a member of the United Nations (UN), the African Union (AU), the Southern African Development Community (SADC), and the Organisation Internationale de la Francophonie. Malagasy and French are both official languages of the state. Christianity is the country's predominant religion, with a significant minority still practising traditional faiths. Madagascar is classified as a least developed country by the UN.[21] Ecotourism and agriculture, paired with greater investments in education, health and private enterprise, are key elements of its development strategy. Despite substantial economic growth since the early 2000s, income disparities have widened, and quality of life remains low for the majority of the population.

As of 2021, 68.4% of the population was considered to be multidimensionally poor.[22] According to the World Food Programme, as of January 2025, 1.31 million citizens faced high levels of food insecurity and more than 90% of its 28 million people lived on less than $3.10 per day.[23]

## Etymology

[edit]

In the Malagasy language, the island of Madagascar is called Madagasikara (Malagasy pronunciation: [madaɡasʲˈkʲarə̥]) and its people are referred to as Malagasy.[24][25] The origin of the name is uncertain,[26] and is likely foreign, having been propagated in the Middle Ages by Europeans.[27] If this is the case, it is unknown when the name was adopted by the inhabitants of the island. No single Malagasy-language name predating Madagasikara appears to have been used by the local population to refer to the island, although some communities had their name for part or all of the lands they inhabited.[28]

One hypothesis relates Madagascar to the word Malay, referring to the Austronesian origin of the Malagasy people in modern-day Indonesia. In a map by Muhammad al-Idrisi dating from the year 1154, the island is named Gesira Malai, or "Malay island" in Arabic. The inversion of this name to Malai Gesira, as it was known by the Greeks, is thought to be the precursor of the modern name of the island.[29] The name "Malay island" was later rendered in Latin as Malichu, an abbreviated form of Malai Insula, in the medieval Hereford Mappa Mundi as the name of Madagascar.[30][29]

Another hypothesis is that Madagascar is a corrupted transliteration of Mogadishu, the capital of Somalia and an important medieval Indian Ocean port. This would have resulted from 13th-century Venetian explorer Marco Polo confusing the two locations in his memoirs, in which he mentions the land of Madageiscar to the south of Socotra. This name would then have been popularized on Renaissance maps by Europeans.[27][28] One of the first documents written that might explain why Marco Polo called it Madagascar is in a 1609 book on Madagascar by Jerome Megiser.[31][32] Jerome Megiser describes an event in which the kings of Mogadishu and Adal traveled to Madagascar with a fleet of around twenty-five thousand men in order to invade the wealthy islands of Taprobane and Sumatra. However, a tempest threw them off course and they landed on the coasts of Madagascar, conquering the island and signing a treaty with its inhabitants. They remained for eight months and erected at different points of the island eight pillars on which they engraved "Magadoxo", a name which later, by corruption became Madagascar.[31][32][33][34] Jan Huyghen van Linschoten, a Dutch traveler who copied Portuguese works and maps, confirmed this event by saying "Madagascar has its name from 'makdishu' (Mogadishu)" whose "shayk" invaded it.[31][35]

The name Malagasikara, or Malagascar, is also historically attested. An English state paper in 1699 records the arrival of eighty to ninety passengers from "Malagaskar" to what eventually became New York City.[36] An 1882 edition of the British newspaper The Graphic referred to "Malagascar" as the name of the island, stating that it is etymologically a word of Malay origin, and may be related to the name of Malacca.[37] In 1891, Saleh bin Osman, a Zanzibari traveler, refers to the island as "Malagaskar" when recounting his journeys, including as part of the Emin Pasha Relief Expedition.[38] In 1905, Charles Basset wrote in his doctoral thesis that Malagasikara was the way the island is referred to by its natives, who emphasized that they were Malagasy, and not Madagasy.[39]

## History

[edit]

Main article: History of Madagascar

### Early period

[edit]

Malagasy ancestry reflects a blend of Southeast Asian, Oceanian and Bantu (Southeast African) roots.

Traditionally, archaeologists have estimated that the earliest settlers arrived in successive waves in outrigger canoes from South Borneo, possibly throughout the period between 350 BC and 550 AD, while others are cautious about dates earlier than AD 250. In either case, these dates make Madagascar one of the most recent major landmasses on Earth to be settled by humans, predating the settlement of Iceland and New Zealand.[40] It is proposed that Ma'anyan people were brought as laborers and slaves by Javan and Sumatran-Malays in their trading fleets to Madagascar.[41][42][43][44] Dates of settlement of the island earlier than the mid-first millennium AD are not strongly supported.[16] However, there is scattered evidence for much earlier human visits and presence. (See History of Madagascar).[45][46] Archaeological finds such as cut marks on bones found in the northwest and stone tools in the northeast indicate that Madagascar was visited by foragers around 2000 BCE.[47][48][49]

Upon arrival, early settlers practiced slash-and-burn agriculture to clear the coastal rainforests for cultivation. The first settlers encountered Madagascar's abundance of megafauna,[50] including 17 species of giant lemurs, the large flightless elephant birds (including possibly the largest bird to ever exist, Aepyornis maximus), the giant fossa, and several species of Malagasy hippopotamus, which have since become extinct because of hunting and habitat destruction.[51] By 600 AD, groups of these early settlers had begun clearing the forests of the central highlands.[52]

Arab traders first reached the island between the 7th and 9th centuries.[53] A wave of Bantu-speaking migrants from southeastern Africa arrived around the year 1000.[54] Around this time, zebu from South India were first brought, intermingling with sanga found in East Africa.[55]

A Malagasy man riding an omby soavaly (zebu) in central Madagascar in the 19th century

Irrigated paddy fields were developed in the central highland Betsileo Kingdom and were extended with terraced paddies throughout the neighboring Kingdom of Imerina a century later.[52] The rising intensity of land cultivation and the ever-increasing demand for zebu pasturage had largely transformed the central highlands from a forest ecosystem to grassland by the 17th century.[56]

The oral histories of the Merina people, who arrived in the central highlands between 600 and 1,000 years ago, describe encountering an established population they called the Vazimba. Probably the descendants of an earlier and less technologically advanced Austronesian settlement wave, the Vazimba were assimilated or expelled from the highlands by the Merina kings Andriamanelo, Ralambo, and Andrianjaka in the 16th and early 17th centuries.[57] Today, the spirits of the Vazimba are revered as tompontany (ancestral masters of the land) by many traditional Malagasy communities.[58]

### Arab and European contacts

[edit]

European contact began in 1500 when Portuguese explorer Diogo Dias recorded the island while participating in the 2nd Portuguese India Armadas.

The written history of Madagascar began with the Arabs, who established trading posts along the northwest coast by at least the 10th century and introduced Islam, the Arabic script (used to transcribe the Malagasy language in a form of writing known as sorabe), Arab astrology, and other cultural elements.[59] The Arabs also contributed to the blood mixture that today forms the Malagasy people. As masters of the entire African coastline, they repeatedly sent numerous migrations to the island, using the Comoros Islands as stopovers. Their traces can still be found along all the coasts, although it is doubtful that they ever penetrated far inland, since their colonies were founded mainly for commercial purposes. The Arabs primarily bought slaves, especially Hova slaves from the center of the island for the Indian Ocean markets. They were never able to convert the indigenous population to Islam, but they did manage to introduce some Muslim practices into local customs, which became widespread across the island. These included circumcision, abstaining from eating pork, and aversion of dogs.These customs led some early European travelers to wrongly believe that several tribes followed the doctrine of Muhammad.[60][61] European contact began in 1500, when the Portuguese sea captain Diogo Dias sighted the island, while participating in the 2nd Armada of the Portuguese India Armadas.[8]

### Portuguese colonization

[edit]

In 1506, the Portuguese failed in their attempts to destroy Arab-Antalaotra settlements in Northern Madagascar despite violent raids led by Tristão da Cunha and Afonso de Albuquerque. Portuguese efforts of Christianization there also failed when their missionaries were massacred by natives. The Portuguese then resorted to the slave trade, buying slaves from the Arabs or Antalaotra when they did not acquire them directly through deceit or violence.[62][63] When the enterprise of colonization in the northwestern Madagascar was undone, the Portuguese, directed their ambition toward the southeastern coasts. In 1548, the Portuguese made an unsuccessful attempt to establish a settlement in the bay of Ranofotsy or Gallions bay in Anosy. The expedition ended in tragedy when Portuguese sailors and missionaries were attacked and massacred by the Antanosy people. The few survivors sought refuge in a stone house they had constructed and managed to defend themselves. In retaliation, they launched frequent raids on nearby villages, burning homes and demanding ransoms from local Inhabitants until they were rescued by Portuguese ships.

At the same time, another violent incident occurred in the Matatana region, where 80 Portuguese settlers were killed in a separate massacre by the locals. These tragic events likely discouraged further Portuguese expeditions to Madagascar for several decades.[64][65]

During this period, Portugal came under the rule of Spain, which focused primarily on its colonies in the Americas and the lucrative Spice Islands. As a result, Madagascar—seen as less economically valuable—was largely neglected. Substantial Portuguese activity on the island did not resume until the early 17th century.

Matatana settlement of the beginning of the 16th century where Portuguese were massacred in 1548

The Portuguese, who had not yet founded any establishment in Madagascar, yet fervently desired to do so through evangelization. In 1613, they found their wishes nearly realized when Andriandramaka, the son of the king of Fanshere Andriatsiambany having lately forged friendly relations with the Portuguese arrived in their city of Goa as a hostage. The king agreed to send his son Andriandramaka to Goa, while two missionaries and four Portuguese stayed as hostages on Santa-Cruz, near Saint-Lucas. The king gave Santa-Cruz to the missionaries to build a church.

The young prince from Fanshere was treated kindly in Goa by Viceroy Jerónimo de Azevedo. He was educated by Jesuit priests and baptized. He promised that, if he could return to his homeland, he would convince his father to accept an alliance with the Portuguese and to adopt Christianity. People believed he would keep his promise.

In 1615, the viceroy prepared four large ships with around 100 soldiers and four Jesuit missionaries. The mission's goal was to spread the Christian faith in Fanshere. The fleet left Goa with high hopes. However, less than a year later, the ships returned. The mission had failed. The Jesuit priests advised leaving because the people of Fanshère had not welcomed them. The king, persuaded by the Ombiasses—priests completely changed his attitude towards the Portuguese. He even forbade his subjects to give or sell any food to the foreigners. This left the Portuguese in a desperate situation. One of the missionaries soon died, and another, along with six companions, quickly left on a Portuguese ship to return to India. The new failure of the expedition from Goa, added to others like it, discouraged Portugal. Seeing Madagascar only as a graveyard for its soldiers, Portugal decided to abandon it for good. This left the island open for other nations to try, at their own risk, to conquer it.[66]

### Dutch and English colonies

[edit]

At that time, the English and the Dutch were competing for control of the Indian Empire. From 1618 to 1640, these two Protestant nations tried to establish rival settlements on various parts of the island and nearby islands. However, their colonization efforts, which were not very serious, ended in ruins and abandonment.

The Dutch, who settled on the east coast near Antongil Bay and Sainte-Marie, died of malaria or were killed by the Malagasy people.[67] In 1646, out of 140 settlers led by John Smart to Saint Augustine Bay (now Toliara), only 63 survived. The others died from disease, hunger—like the fate of the Portuguese in Anosy or were killed by the locals.

In 1649, a second English colony attempt by Robert Hunt at Assada (present-day Nosy Be) also ended with the massacre of the settlers, often by trickery. The Malagasy were very harsh toward Europeans. In 1686, English pirates who came to Nosy Be to for partying were massacred by the locals because of mistreatment by a previous English crew. The only survivor was Robert Everard, who became a slave to a local king. He only gained his freedom when he was sold to an Arab trader, and then resold to an Englishman in Muscat after spending two years on the island.[68][69][70]

### French colony of Fort-Dauphin

[edit]

Depiction of a battle between French setllers and Malagasy natives during the 17th century

France's colonization of Madagascar began in 1642, initiated by Cardinal Richelieu and formalized by letters patent signed by Louis XIII and later confirmed by Louis XIV. The goal was to establish a commercial and strategic outpost in the Indian Ocean to displace Dutch and Portuguese influence. The Compagnie de l’Orient was entrusted with the venture. In 1643, the first expedition, led by Pronis and Fouquembourg, arrived with about 200 settlers. The colony was first established at Sainte-Luce, then moved to Fort-Dauphin due to unhealthy conditions. Posts were also briefly opened at Fenerive and Mananara, but all were quickly abandoned because of disease and poor location.

From the start, the colony was plagued by mismanagement and cruelty under Pronis. He favored his Malagasy wife's extended family by wasting supplies on them while treating French settlers effectively as slaves. In 1646, settlers imprisoned Pronis. After six months, he was freed and punished the rebels by exile in La Réunion then Bourbon Island. In a notorious act, Pronis sold Malagasy servants, including sixteen women of the high caste of Lohavohitsy, to the Dutch governor of Mauritius, Van der Mester, triggering massive outrage among natives. This betrayal violated the generous hospitality of the Malagasy and caused hostility. The Compagnie de l’Orient, alarmed by his actions, sent Étienne de Flacourt to replace him. Flacourt returned to France in 1654 and he was killed by Algerian pirates when coming back to Madagascar in 1655.

Military raids for supplies started by Flacourt later continued by his successors kept the colony in a constant state of war with the natives. The colony suffered greatly: Fort-Dauphin burned accidentally in 1655 and was not rebuilt until 1663. When it was reestablished, Chamargou was governor. A French named Lacase married to a local princess Dian Nong or Andrianony once saved the colony by supplying it with foods from their realm of Ambolo. As had happened before with the Portuguese and the English settlers, all neighboring Malagasy chiefs refused food supplies to the fort. This blockade, combined with fever and disease, reduced the number of French settlers.

By the early 1670s, the colony at Fort-Dauphin was reduced to only 127 French settlers, remnants of the original 4,000 émigrants. Isolated, underprovisioned, and lacking gunpowder, the settlers survived only through marriages with Malagasy noblewomen, a practice initiated by Pronis and continued by later governors, including La Bretesche, who married the daughter of La Case and Dian Nong. These marriages provided temporary peace, as Malagasy wives acted as intermediaries between settlers and local communities. However, when Captain de Beauregard arrived (in defiance of orders to go directly to Île Bourbon), he brought with him 16 French women meant for marriage in Bourbon. They demanded to be married in Madagascar instead, pressuring missionaries and the governor. By August 1674, five marriages had taken place, and more were planned. The arrival of French women deeply offended the Malagasy wives, who had long held authority in the colony. Their resentment led them to withdraw their protection. On 27 August 1674,French colonists were mercilessly massacred by the natives. The colony was doomed. Luckily, a Company ship the Blanc-Pignon appeared, and La Bretesche organized an emergency evacuation. On 9 September 1674, 63 survivors boarded the ship, abandoning Fort-Dauphin. They spiked the cannons, burned the supplies, and left the settlement behind.[71][72][73][74]

### Pirate settlements

[edit]

Woodes Rogers meeting with pirates in Madagascar

The pirates formed an establishment, at the island of St. Mary but later abandoned for other settlements on the eastern coast of Madagascar due a general effort by the European powers, interested in the India trade, indispensably to suppress them.

Pirates married local women and they often supported native princes lacking fire-arms in their inter-tribal wars, carrying terror wherever they went. Half a dozen pirates with a small native army would put a much larger number of the enemy to flight.

The most famous pirate settlement was called Libertatia. It was founded by French pirate, of the name of Misson, in conjunction with an Italian named Caraccioli, as a sort of republican commonwealth on the northeastern coast of Madagascar. English pirate Captain Tew joined later the settlement where was built a fort and a town. From this settlement, they sent out their ships on marauding expeditions in the Indian Ocean. One of their greatest success was the capture of a Moorish vessel, bound for Mecca, with pilgrims, having on board a hundred women whom they detained, as wives in their colony. The destruction of this settlement arose from an unexpected cause. The colonists had lived on the most amicable terms with the natives, for a long period, and ceased to entertain any fear of enemies from the interior. They were, therefore, completely off their guard in this quarter, and the natives, incited by some unknown motives, taking advantage of this unsuspecting confidence, made a sudden attack upon them, in two bodies, at the dead of night, slaughtering nearly the whole of them, without respect to age or sex, before they had time to put themselves in a posture of defence. Caraccioli was killed, Tew was absent, and Misson escaped with forty-five men. Many pirate settlements were destroyed by natives as the fate of Libertatia.[75][76][77]

### Formation of Malagasy kingdoms

[edit]

See also: Kingdom of Andrantsay, Kingdom of Manandriana, Kingdom of Isandra, Kingdom of Lalangina, and Fisakana

The wealth generated by maritime trade spurred the rise of organized kingdoms on the island, some of which had grown quite powerful by the 17th century.[78] Among these were the Betsimisaraka alliance of the eastern coast and the Sakalava chiefdoms of Menabe and Boina on the west coast. The Kingdom of Imerina, located in the central highlands with its capital at the royal palace of Antananarivo, emerged at around the same time under the leadership of King Andriamanelo.[79]

### French East India Company Possession of Sainte-Marie, the graveyard of the French

[edit]

A 19th century depiction of French settlements in Sainte Marie, Madagascar

Around 1750, Ratsimilaho's daughter Betia ceded Sainte-Marie to the French Indies Company. Tragedy came swiftly, as mass death from fever decimated the colony in its early months that earned the island the title "the Frenchman's graveyard". The colonial agent in command Gosse reckless behavior toward Betia's mother Matavy provoked the latter's vengeance. Betia continued to favour the French settlers and counteract her mother's treacherous plans, until an accusation was brought against M. Gosse which was so grave that she could no longer defend him. Gosse well known for his cruelty to the natives was accused of violating the sacred tomb of the late chief, Ratsimilaho, allegedly in search of treasure. Whether true or not, the accusation outraged the local population and led to a violent response. A massacre was secretly planned and executed on Christmas Eve 1754, during which nearly all French settlers were killed.

In response, the Governor of Isle de France dispatched a man-of-war to Sainte-Marie with orders for retribution. French forces ravaged the island: villages were burned, inhabitants were slaughtered indiscriminately, and escapees attempting to flee by boat were targeted by naval gunfire. The mastermind of the massacre Ratsimilaho's widow Matavy drowned while trying to cross Antongil Bay, and Betia, among the surviving captives, was deported to Île de France (Mauritius) to face trial. However, she was acquitted and returned to Foulepointe with honors and gifts. The colony was eventually abandoned in 1761.[80][81] No French settlements existed on the island until 1811. Misinterpreting the terms of the 1814 Treaty of Paris, governor of Mauritius Sir Robert Farquhar sent an expedition to establish a outpost at Sainte-Marie. However, the expedition's members were massacred by the natives except for one survivor. The British later briefly occupied the island until they ceded it back to France in 1818.[82]

### French Reoccupation of Fort-Dauphin under Maudave

[edit]

In 1766, Maudave was appointed by the French Minister of the Navy to lead a new expedition and restore Fort Dauphin. The project was financed by the colony of Île de France, following a detailed plan and memorandum he had prepared, which received full approval from the ministry.

Maudave landed at Fort Dauphin in 1768 with a small group of officers, soldiers, and farmers. Favoring a peaceful approach to colonization, he gained the sympathy of local chiefs, who ceded approximately nine square leagues of land to the French crown.

Encouraged by early success, Maudave envisioned a thriving agricultural and commercial settlement. However, his efforts were undermined by Desroches, the newly appointed and jealous governor of Île de France, who sent a misleading report to France. The metropole subsequently withdrew support, forcing Maudave to abandon Fort Dauphin in 1769 and return to France with his plans unrealized.[83] [84]

### Benyowski expedition

[edit]

Death of Benyowsky

Benyowski was a Polish-Hungarian noble captured by the Russians during the siege of Kraków and was deported the distant Kamchatka Peninsula in eastern Siberia. He led a spectacular evasion after five months of Captivity with fellow prisoners on a seized Russian frigate,the first to make a perilous journey across the Northern Pacific Ocean to the South China Sea.

During his escape, Benyowski visited Japan, the coasts of China, Annam (modern Vietnam), Formosa (Taiwan), Macao, Madagascar and Île de France (modern Mauritius), before finally reaching France. There, he presented his colonial plans to the Duke of Choiseul, proposing a new French enterprise in Madagascar (then often referred to as Île Dauphine).

With the support of the Duke of Aiguillon, Benyowski obtained command of a French expedition to reestablish colonial influence in Madagascar. He departed from Lorient on 14 February 1774 with a small military corps, arriving at Antongil Bay on 14 January 1774. There, he took possession of the island in the name of the King of France and was recognized as governor-general.

Highly active and popular among the Malagasy, Benyowski quickly forged alliances with local chiefs, planned and founded the town of Louisbourg, and constructed a series of forts, roads, and canals along the eastern coast (including at Antongil, Fénérive Est, Foulepointe, Mananara, and Antsiraka). He successfully repelled attacks from northern Sakalava warriors with the help of his indigenous allies.

In October 1776, a grand kabary (assembly) of Northern Malagasy chiefs proclaimed Benyowski as sovereign chief of Madagascar and charged him with presenting their submission to the French king for a vassal state. However, upon his arrival in Paris, he was met with suspicion and hostility, particularly from powerful trade interests in the Mascarene Islands. Failing to gain official support, he offered his plans to Britain and Austria, who declined to support him out of respect for French territorial claims.

In 1784, Benyowski traveled to the United States, where he secured backing from Benjamin Franklin and a Baltimore company to return to Madagascar. Arriving with an American ship, he landed on the island's west coast, crossed overland to Antongil Bay, and reestablished himself at Louisbourg in 1785. He was enthusiastically welcomed by local leaders and proclaimed himself Ampanzakabe or the King of Madagascar. He is the first claiming the title King of Madagascar. To consolidate his authority across the island, he entrusted Mayeur with a secret mission to the southern and central peoples of Madagascar who had not yet recognized his rule through the solemn serment-de-sang (blood oath) ceremonies. These included the kings of Betsileo, Andratsay, Imerina, Bezanozano, and Betanimena. Alarmed by his independent authority, the French colonial administration viewed him as a threat. In 1786, M. de Souillac, governor of Pondicherry, dispatched an expedition under M. Larcher and Captain Labé to suppress him. In 1787, Benyowski was killed during an assault on Fort Mauritiana.[85][86]

### Merina rule of Madagascar

[edit]

Main article: Merina Kingdom

King Andrianampoinimerina (1787–1810)

Upon its emergence in the early 17th century, the highland kingdom of Imerina was initially a minor power relative to the larger coastal kingdoms[79] and grew even weaker in the early 18th century when King Andriamasinavalona divided it among his four sons. Following almost a century of warring and famine, Imerina was reunited in 1793 by King Andrianampoinimerina (1787–1810).[87] From his initial capital Ambohimanga,[88] and later from the Rova of Antananarivo, this Merina king rapidly expanded his rule over neighbouring principalities. His ambition to bring the entire island under his control was largely achieved by his son and successor, King Radama I (1810–28), who was recognized by the British government as King of Madagascar. Radama concluded a treaty in 1817 with the British governor of Mauritius to abolish the lucrative slave trade in return for British military and financial assistance. Artisan missionary envoys from the London Missionary Society began arriving in 1818 and included such key figures as James Cameron, David Jones and David Griffiths, who established schools, transcribed the Malagasy language using the Roman alphabet, translated the Bible, and introduced a variety of new technologies to the island.[89]

Radama's successor, Queen Ranavalona I (1828–61), responded to increasing political and cultural encroachment on the part of Britain and France by issuing a royal edict prohibiting the practice of Christianity in Madagascar and pressuring most foreigners to leave the territory. William Ellis of the London Missionary Society described his visits made during her reign in his book Three Visits to Madagascar during the years 1853, 1854, and 1856. The Queen made heavy use of the traditional practice of fanompoana (forced labor as tax payment) to complete public works projects and develop a standing army of between 20,000 and 30,000 Merina soldiers, whom she deployed to pacify outlying regions of the island and further expand the Kingdom of Merina to encompass most of Madagascar. Residents of Madagascar could accuse one another of various crimes, including theft, Christianity and especially witchcraft, for which the ordeal of tangena was routinely obligatory. Between 1828 and 1861, the tangena ordeal caused about 3,000 deaths annually. In 1838, it was estimated that as many as 100,000 people in Imerina died as a result of the tangena ordeal, constituting roughly 20 percent of the population.[90] The combination of regular warfare, disease, difficult forced labor, and harsh measures of justice resulted in a high mortality rate among soldiers and civilians alike during her 33-year reign; the population of Madagascar is estimated to have declined from around 5 million to 2.5 million between 1833 and 1839.[91]

Among those who continued to reside in Imerina were Jean Laborde, an entrepreneur who developed munitions and other industries on behalf of the monarchy, and Joseph-François Lambert, a French adventurer and slave trader, with whom then-Prince Radama II signed a controversial trade agreement termed the Lambert Charter. Succeeding his mother, Radama II attempted to relax the queen's stringent policies but was overthrown two years later by Prime Minister Rainivoninahitriniony and an alliance of Andriana (noble) and Hova (commoner) courtiers, who sought to end the absolute power of the monarch.[59]

Following the coup, the courtiers offered Radama's queen, Rasoherina, the opportunity to rule, if she would accept a power-sharing arrangement with the Prime Minister: a new social contract that would be sealed by a political marriage between them.[92] Queen Rasoherina accepted, first marrying Rainivoninahitriniony, then later deposing him and marrying his brother, Prime Minister Rainilaiarivony, who would go on to marry Queen Ranavalona II and Queen Ranavalona III in succession.[93]

Over the course of Rainilaiarivony's 31-year tenure as prime minister, numerous policies were adopted to modernize and consolidate the power of the central government.[94] Schools were constructed throughout the island and attendance was made mandatory. Army organization was improved and British consultants were employed to train and professionalize soldiers.[95] Polygamy was outlawed and Christianity declared the official religion of the court in 1869, was adopted alongside traditional beliefs among a growing portion of the populace.[94] Legal codes were reformed on the basis of British common law and three European-style courts were established in the capital city.[95] In his joint role as Commander-in-Chief, Rainilaiarivony also successfully ensured the defense of Madagascar against several French colonial incursions.[95]

### French colonization

[edit]

Main articles: Malagasy Protectorate and French Madagascar

See also: Madagascar in World War II

A French poster about the Second Franco-Hova War

Primarily on the basis that the Lambert Charter had not been respected, France invaded Madagascar in 1883 in what became known as the first Franco-Hova War.[96] At the end of the war, Madagascar ceded the northern port town of Antsiranana (Diego Suarez) to France and paid 560,000 francs to Lambert's heirs.[97] In 1890, the British accepted the full formal imposition of a French protectorate on the island, but French authority was not acknowledged by the government of Madagascar. To force capitulation, the French bombarded and occupied the harbor of Toamasina on the east coast, and Mahajanga on the west coast, in December 1894 and January 1895 respectively.[98]

### Duchesne Expedition

[edit]

General Duchesne, Commander-in-Chief of the French Expedition to Madagascar

The Duchesne Expedition was the 1895 French military campaign that led to the conquest of Madagascar. After the failure of a diplomatic mission, the French government approved a large military intervention. The expedition was launched from several coastal points, with the main force departing from Majunga in January 1895.

An army of 15,000 men was assembled, including marines, Foreign Legionnaires, Sakalava auxiliaries, African auxiliaries, and conscripts. Poor planning and harsh tropical conditions caused heavy losses—over 5,700 men died of disease, while only 25 were killed in combat.

The Merina government failed to organize effective resistance. Its troops were poorly trained, and their commanders lacked military experience. Only artillery units offered notable resistance.

Many coastal Malagasy populations, weary of the cruelty and tyranny of Hova governors imposed by Prime Minister Rainilaiarivony, collaborated with the French forces. In several regions, they actively helped expel Merina government troops.

In September, General Jacques Duchesne formed a mobile column and advanced rapidly toward Antananarivo. On 30 September 1895, after shelling the Queen’s Palace, the Merina monarchy surrendered. French troops entered the capital the same day. Looting was prohibited, and many residents who had fled began returning in the following days.

French Foreign Minister Gabriel Hanotaux had instructed the expedition "to avoid, as far as possible, disrupting the existing state of affairs" and to act "with the utmost restraint toward non-Merina populations." Duchesne followed these orders precisely. [99]Popular resistance to the French capture of Antananarivo—known as the Menalamba rebellion—broke out in December 1895, and was not suppressed until the end of 1897.[100][101] France annexed Madagascar in 1896 and declared the island a colony the following year, dissolving the Merina monarchy and sending the royal family into exile on Réunion Island and to Algeria.

The conquest was followed by ten years of civil war, due to the Menalamba insurrection. The "pacification" carried out by the French administration lasted more than fifteen years, in response to the rural guerrillas scattered throughout the country. In total, the repression of this resistance to colonial conquest caused several tens of thousands of Malagasy victims.[102]

Under colonial rule, plantations were established for the production of a variety of export crops.[103] Slavery was abolished in 1896 and approximately 500,000 slaves were freed; many remained in their former masters' homes as servants[104] or as sharecroppers; in many parts of the island strong discriminatory views against slave descendants are still held today.[105] Wide paved boulevards and gathering places were constructed in the capital city of Antananarivo[106] and the Rova palace compound was turned into a museum.[107] Additional schools were built, particularly in rural and coastal areas where the schools of the Merina had not reached. Education became mandatory between the ages of 6 and 13 and focused primarily on the French language and practical skills.[108]

National monument in Moramanga commemorating the beginning of the Malagasy Uprising on 29 March 1947. Between 11,000 and 90,000 Malagasy died during the uprising which lasted nearly two years.[109]

Huge mining and forestry concessions were granted to large companies. Native chiefs loyal to the French administration were also granted part of the land. Forced labor was introduced in favor of the French companies and peasants were encouraged, through taxation, to work for wages (especially in the colonial concessions) to the detriment of small individual farms. However, the colonial period was accompanied by movements fighting for independence: the Menalamba, the Vy Vato Sakelika, the Democratic Movement for Malagasy Renovation (MDRM). In 1927, major demonstrations were organized in Antananarivo, notably on the initiative of the communist activist François Vittori, who was imprisoned as a result. The 1930s saw the Malagasy anti-colonial movement gain further momentum. Malagasy trade unionism began to appear underground and the Communist Party of the Madagascar region was formed. But in 1939, all the organizations were dissolved by the administration of the colony, which opted for the Vichy regime. The MDRM was accused by the colonial regime of being at the origin of the 1947 insurrection and was pursued by violent repression.[102]

The Merina royal tradition of taxes paid in the form of labor was continued under the French and used to construct a railway and roads linking key coastal cities to Antananarivo.[110] Malagasy troops fought for France in World War I.[8] In the 1930s, Nazi political thinkers developed the Madagascar Plan that had identified the island as a potential site for the deportation of Europe's Jews.[111] During the Second World War, the island was the site of the Battle of Madagascar between the Vichy French and an Allied expeditionary force.[112]

The occupation of France during the Second World War tarnished the prestige of the colonial administration in Madagascar and galvanized the growing independence movement, leading to the Malagasy Uprising of 1947.[113] This movement led the French to establish reformed institutions in 1956 under the Loi Cadre (Overseas Reform Act), and Madagascar moved peacefully towards independence.[114] The Malagasy Republic was proclaimed on 14 October 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 26 June 1960.[115]

### Independent state

[edit]

Main articles: Malagasy Republic, Democratic Republic of Madagascar, and Third Republic of Madagascar

Philibert Tsiranana, the first president of Madagascar (1960–1972)

Since regaining independence, Madagascar has transitioned through four republics with corresponding revisions to its constitution. The First Republic (1960–72), under the leadership of French-appointed President Philibert Tsiranana, was characterized by a continuation of strong economic and political ties to France. Many high-level technical positions were filled by French expatriates, and French teachers, textbooks and curricula continued to be used in schools around the country. Popular resentment over Tsiranana's tolerance for this "neo-colonial" arrangement inspired a series of farmer and student protests that overturned his administration in 1972.[59]

Gabriel Ramanantsoa, a major general in the army, was appointed interim president and prime minister that same year, but low public approval forced him to step down in 1975. Colonel Richard Ratsimandrava, appointed to succeed him, was assassinated six days into his tenure. General Gilles Andriamahazo ruled after Ratsimandrava for four months before being replaced by another military appointee: Vice Admiral Didier Ratsiraka, who ushered in the Marxist–Leninist Second Republic that ran under his tenure from 1975 to 1993.[116]

This period saw a political alignment with the Eastern Bloc countries and a shift toward economic insularity. These policies, coupled with economic pressures stemming from the 1973 oil crisis, resulted in the rapid collapse of Madagascar's economy and a sharp decline in living standards,[59] and the country had become completely bankrupt by 1979. The Ratsiraka administration accepted the conditions of transparency, anti-corruption measures and free market policies imposed by the International Monetary Fund, World Bank and various bilateral donors in exchange for their bailout of the nation's broken economy.[117]

Ratsiraka's dwindling popularity in the late 1980s reached a critical point in 1991 when presidential guards opened fire on unarmed protesters during a rally. Within two months, a transitional government had been established under the leadership of Albert Zafy (1993–96), who went on to win the 1992 presidential elections and inaugurate the Third Republic (1992–2010).[118] The new Madagascar constitution established a multi-party democracy and a separation of powers that placed significant control in the hands of the National Assembly. The new constitution also emphasized human rights, social and political freedoms, and free trade.[59] Zafy's term, however, was marred by economic decline, allegations of corruption, and his introduction of legislation to give himself greater powers. He was consequently impeached in 1996, and an interim president, Norbert Ratsirahonana, was appointed for the three months prior to the next presidential election. Ratsiraka was then voted back into power on a platform of decentralization and economic reforms for a second term which lasted from 1996 to 2001.[117]

The contested 2001 presidential elections in which then-mayor of Antananarivo, Marc Ravalomanana, eventually emerged victorious, caused a seven-month standoff in 2002 between supporters of Ravalomanana and Ratsiraka. The negative economic impact of the political crisis was gradually overcome by Ravalomanana's progressive economic and political policies, which encouraged investments in education and ecotourism, facilitated foreign direct investment, and cultivated trading partnerships both regionally and internationally. National GDP grew at an average rate of 7% per year under his administration. In the latter half of his second term, Ravalomanana was criticised by domestic and international observers who accused him of increasing authoritarianism and corruption.[117]

Opposition leader and then-mayor of Antananarivo, Andry Rajoelina, led a movement in early 2009 in which Ravalomanana was pushed from power in an unconstitutional process widely condemned as a coup d'état.[119] In March 2009, Rajoelina was declared by the Supreme Court as the President of the High Transitional Authority, an interim governing body responsible for moving the country toward presidential elections. In 2010, a new constitution was adopted by referendum, establishing a Fourth Republic, which sustained the democratic, multi-party structure established in the previous constitution.[118] Hery Rajaonarimampianina was declared the winner of the 2013 presidential election, which the international community deemed fair and transparent.[120]

In 2018 the first round of the presidential election was held on 7 November and the second round was held on 10 December. Three former presidents and the most recent president were the main candidates of the elections. Rajoelina won the second round of the elections. Ravalomana lost the second round and he did not accept the results because of allegations of fraud. Rajaonarimampianina received very modest support in the first round. In January 2019 the High Constitutional Court declared Rajoelina as the winner of the elections and the new president.[121][122][123] In June 2019 parliamentary elections the Rajoelina's won absolute majority of the seats of the National Assembly. It received 84 seats and the supporters of former president Ravalomana got only 16 seats of 151 seats of the National Assembly. 51 seats of deputies were independent or represented small parties. Rajoelina could rule as a strongman.[124]

Mid-2021 marked the beginning of the 2021–2022 Madagascar famine which, due to a severe drought, caused hundreds of thousands of people to face food insecurity and over one million people were on the verge of a famine.[125]

In November 2023, Rajoelina was re-elected to another term with 58.95% of the vote in the first round of the election amidst an opposition boycott and a controversy about his acquisition of French citizenship and subsequent eligibility. Turnout was 46.36%, the lowest in a presidential election in the country's history.[126]

## Geography

[edit]

Main articles: Geography of Madagascar and Geology of Madagascar

Land coverage (left) and topographical (right) maps of Madagascar

At 592,800 square kilometres (228,900 sq mi),[8] Madagascar is the world's 46th-largest country,[127] the second-largest island country[14] and the fourth-largest island.[8] The country lies mostly between latitudes 12°S and 26°S, and longitudes 43°E and 51°E.[128] Neighboring islands include the French territory of Réunion and the country of Mauritius to the east, as well as the state of Comoros and the French territory of Mayotte to the northwest. The nearest mainland state is Mozambique, located to the west.

The prehistoric breakup of the supercontinent Gondwana resulted in the separation of East Gondwana (comprising Madagascar, Antarctica, Australia and the Indian subcontinent) and West Gondwana (Africa and South America) during the Jurassic period, around 185 million years ago. The Indo-Madagascar landmass separated from Antarctica and Australia around 125 million years ago[129] and Madagascar separated from the Indian landmass about 84–92 million years ago during the Late Cretaceous.[130] This long history of separation from other continents has allowed plants and animals on the island to evolve in relative isolation. Along the length of the eastern coast runs a narrow and steep escarpment containing much of the island's remaining tropical lowland forest. To the west of this ridge lies a plateau in the center of the island ranging in altitude from 750 to 1,500 m (2,460 to 4,920 ft) above sea level. These central highlands, traditionally the homeland of the Merina people and the location of their historic capital at Antananarivo, are the most densely populated part of the island and are characterized by terraced, rice-growing valleys lying between grassy hills and patches of the subhumid forests that formerly covered the highland region. To the west of the highlands, the increasingly arid terrain gradually slopes down to the Mozambique Channel and mangrove swamps along the coast.[131]

Madagascar's highest peaks rise from three prominent highland massifs: Maromokotro 2,876 m (9,436 ft) in the Tsaratanana Massif is the island's highest point, followed by Boby Peak 2,658 m (8,720 ft) in the Andringitra Massif, and Tsiafajavona 2,643 m (8,671 ft) in the Ankaratra Massif. To the east, the Canal des Pangalanes is a chain of human-made and natural lakes connected by canals built by the French just inland from the east coast and running parallel to it for some 600 km (370 mi).[132]

The western and southern sides, which lie in the rain shadow of the central highlands, are home to dry deciduous forests, spiny forests, and deserts and xeric shrublands. Due to their lower population densities, Madagascar's dry deciduous forests have been better preserved than the eastern rain forests or the original woodlands of the central plateau. The western coast features many protected harbors, but silting is a major problem caused by sediment from the high levels of inland erosion carried by rivers crossing the broad western plains.[132]

### Climate

[edit]

A Köppen climate classification map of Madagascar

See also: Geography of Madagascar § Climate

The combination of southeastern trade winds and northwestern monsoons produces a hot rainy season (November–April) with frequently destructive cyclones, and a relatively cooler dry season (May–October). Rain clouds originating over the Indian Ocean discharge much of their moisture over the island's eastern coast; the heavy precipitation supports the area's rainforest ecosystem. The central highlands are both drier and cooler while the west is drier still, and a semi-arid climate prevails in the southwest and southern interior of the island.[131]

Tropical cyclones cause damage to infrastructure and local economies as well as loss of life.[59] In 2004, Cyclone Gafilo became the strongest cyclone ever recorded to hit Madagascar. The storm killed 172 people, left 214,260 homeless[133] and caused more than US$250 million in damage.[134] In February 2022, Cyclone Batsirai killed 121 people,[16][135] weeks after Cyclone Ana killed 55 and displaced 130,000 people on the island.[136]

A 2022 analysis found that Madagascar, to adapt to and avert the environmental consequences of climate change, is going to have to spend 15% of its GDP.[137]

### Biodiversity and conservation

[edit]

Main articles: Wildlife of Madagascar, Flora of Madagascar, Fauna of Madagascar, Agriculture in Madagascar, Ecoregions of Madagascar, List of World Heritage Sites in Madagascar, Deforestation in Madagascar, and Illegal logging in Madagascar

Comet orchid (Angraecum sesquipedale), the flowers of this orchid have a very long spur and are pollinated by a species of hawkmoth with a proboscis of matching length.

As a result of the island's long isolation from neighbouring continents, Madagascar is home to various endemic plants and animals found nowhere else on Earth.[138][139] Approximately 90% of all plant and animal species found in Madagascar are endemic.[140] This distinctive ecology has led some ecologists to refer to Madagascar as the "eighth continent",[141] and the island has been classified by Conservation International as a biodiversity hotspot.[138] Madagascar is classed as one of 17 megadiverse countries. The country is home to seven terrestrial ecoregions: lowland forests, subhumid forests, dry deciduous forests, ericoid thickets, spiny forests, succulent woodlands, and mangroves.[142]

More than 80% of Madagascar's 14,883 plant species are found nowhere else in the world, including five plant families.[143] The family Didiereaceae, composed of four genera and 11 species, is limited to the spiny forests of southwestern Madagascar.[131] Four-fifths of the world's Pachypodium species are endemic to the island.[144] Three-fourths[145] of Madagascar's 860[143] orchid species are found here alone, as are six of the world's nine baobab species.[146] The island is home to around 170 palm species, three times as many as on all of mainland Africa; 165 of them are endemic.[145] Many native plant species are used as herbal remedies for a variety of afflictions. The drugs vinblastine[147][148] and vincristine[147][149] are vinca alkaloids,[150][151] used to treat Hodgkin lymphoma,[152] leukemia,[153] and other cancers,[154] were derived from the Madagascar periwinkle.[155][156] The traveler's palm, known locally as ravinala[157] and endemic to the eastern rainforests,[158] is highly iconic of Madagascar and is featured in the national emblem as well as the Madagascar Airlines logo.[159]

The ring-tailed lemur is one of over 100 known species and subspecies of lemur found only in Madagascar.[160]

Like its flora, Madagascar's fauna is diverse and exhibits a high rate of endemism. Lemurs have been characterized as "Madagascar's flagship mammal species" by Conservation International.[138] In the absence of monkeys and other competitors, these primates have adapted to a wide range of habitats and diversified into numerous species. As of 2012[update], there were officially 103 species and subspecies of lemur,[161] 39 of which were described by zoologists between 2000 and 2008.[162] They are almost all classified as rare, vulnerable, or endangered. At least 17 species of lemur have become extinct since humans arrived on Madagascar, all of which were larger than the surviving lemur species.[163]

A number of other mammals, including the catlike fossa, are endemic to Madagascar. Over 300 species of birds have been recorded on the island, of which over 60% (including four families and 42 genera) are endemic.[138] The few families and genera of reptiles that have reached Madagascar have diversified into more than 260 species, with over 90% of these being endemic[164] (including one endemic family).[138] The island is home to two-thirds of the world's chameleon species,[164] including the smallest known.[165]

Endemic fish of Madagascar include two families, 15 genera and over 100 species, primarily inhabiting the island's freshwater lakes and rivers. Although invertebrates remain poorly studied in Madagascar, researchers have found high rates of endemism among the known species. All 651 species of terrestrial snail are endemic, as are a majority of the island's butterflies, scarab beetles, lacewings, spiders, and dragonflies.[138]

Tavy (slash-and-burn) destruction of native forest habitat is widespread (top), causing massive erosion (bottom).

Madagascar's varied fauna and flora are endangered by human activity.[166] Since the arrival of humans around 2,350 years ago, Madagascar has lost more than 90% of its original forest.[167] This forest loss is largely fueled by tavy ("fat"), a traditional slash-and-burn agricultural practice imported to Madagascar by the earliest settlers.[56] Malagasy farmers embrace and perpetuate the practice not only for its practical benefits as an agricultural technique, but for its cultural associations with prosperity, health and venerated ancestral custom (fomba malagasy).[168] As human population density rose on the island, deforestation accelerated beginning around 1,400 years ago.[169] By the 16th century, the central highlands had been largely cleared of their original forests.[56] More recent contributors to the loss of forest cover include the growth in cattle herd size since their introduction around 1,000 years ago, a continued reliance on charcoal as a fuel for cooking, and the increased prominence of coffee as a cash crop over the past century.[170] According to a conservative estimate, about 40% of the island's original forest cover was lost from the 1950s to 2000, with a thinning of remaining forest areas by 80%.[171] In addition to traditional agricultural practice, wildlife conservation is challenged by the illicit harvesting of protected forests, as well as the state-sanctioned harvesting of precious woods within national parks. Although banned by then-President Marc Ravalomanana from 2000 to 2009, the collection of small quantities of precious timber from national parks was re-authorized in January 2009 and dramatically intensified under the administration of Andry Rajoelina as a key source of state revenues to offset cuts in donor support following Ravalomanana's ousting.[172]

Invasive species have likewise been introduced by human populations. Following the 2014 discovery in Madagascar of the Asian common toad, a relative of a toad species that has severely harmed wildlife in Australia since the 1930s, researchers warned the toad could "wreak havoc on the country's unique fauna."[173] Habitat destruction and hunting have threatened many of Madagascar's endemic species or driven them to extinction. The island's elephant birds, a family of endemic giant ratites, became extinct in the 17th century or earlier, most probably because of human hunting of adult birds and poaching of their large eggs for food.[174] Numerous giant lemur species vanished with the arrival of human settlers to the island, while others became extinct over the course of the centuries as a growing human population put greater pressures on lemur habitats and, among some populations, increased the rate of lemur hunting for food.[175] A July 2012 assessment found that the exploitation of natural resources since 2009 has had dire consequences for the island's wildlife: 90% of lemur species were found to be threatened with extinction, the highest proportion of any mammalian group. Of these, 23 species were classified as critically endangered. A 2023 study published in Nature Communications found that 120 of the 219 mammal species only found on Madagascar are threatened with extinction.[176]

In 2003, Ravalomanana announced the Durban Vision, an initiative to more than triple the island's protected natural areas to over 60,000 km2 (23,000 sq mi) or 10% of Madagascar's land surface. As of 2011[update], areas protected by the state included five Strict Nature Reserves (Réserves Naturelles Intégrales), 21 Wildlife Reserves (Réserves Spéciales) and 21 National Parks (Parcs Nationaux).[177] In 2007 six of the national parks were declared a joint World Heritage Site under the name Rainforests of the Atsinanana. These parks are Marojejy, Masoala, Ranomafana, Zahamena, Andohahela and Andringitra.[178] Local timber merchants are harvesting scarce species of rosewood trees from protected rainforests within Marojejy National Park and exporting the wood to China for the production of luxury furniture and musical instruments.[179]

## Government

[edit]

### Structure

[edit]

Main articles: Government of Madagascar and Cabinet of Madagascar

Antananarivo is the political and economic capital of Madagascar.

Madagascar is a semi-presidential representative democratic multi-party republic, wherein the popularly elected president is the head of state and selects a prime minister, who recommends candidates to the president to form his cabinet of ministers. According to the constitution, executive power is exercised by the government while legislative power is vested in the ministerial cabinet,[180] the Senate and the National Assembly, although in reality these two latter bodies have very little power or legislative role. The constitution establishes independent executive, legislative and judicial branches and mandates a popularly elected president limited to three five-year terms.[8]

The public directly elects the president and the 151 members of the National Assembly to five-year terms. All 18 members of the Senate serve six-year terms, with 12 senators elected by local officials and 6 appointed by the president.

At the local level, the island's 23 regions are administered by a governor and regional council. Provinces are further subdivided into regions and communes. The judiciary is modeled on the French system, with a High Constitutional Court, High Court of Justice, Supreme Court, Court of Appeals, criminal tribunals, and tribunals of first instance.[181] The courts, which adhere to civil law, lack the capacity to quickly and transparently try the cases in the judicial system, often forcing defendants to pass lengthy pretrial detentions in unsanitary and overcrowded prisons.[182]

Antananarivo is the administrative capital and largest city of Madagascar.[8] It is located in the highlands region, near the geographic center of the island. King Andrianjaka founded Antananarivo as the capital of his Imerina Kingdom around 1610 or 1625 upon the site of a captured Vazimba capital on the hilltop of Analamanga.[57] As Merina dominance expanded over neighboring Malagasy peoples in the early 19th century to establish the Kingdom of Madagascar, Antananarivo became the center of administration for virtually the entire island. In 1896 the French colonizers of Madagascar adopted the Merina capital as their center of colonial administration. The city remained the capital of Madagascar after regaining independence in 1960. In 2017, the capital's population was estimated at 1,391,433 inhabitants.[183] The next largest cities are Antsirabe (500,000), Toamasina (450,000) and Mahajanga (400,000).[8]

### Politics

[edit]

Main articles: Politics of Madagascar, Foreign relations of Madagascar, and Human rights in Madagascar

Andry Rajoelina, president of Madagascar

Since Madagascar gained independence from France in 1960, the island's political transitions have been marked by numerous popular protests, several disputed elections, an impeachment, two military coups and one assassination. The island's recurrent political crises are often prolonged, with detrimental effects on the local economy, international relations and Malagasy living standards. The eight-month standoff between incumbent Ratsiraka and challenger Marc Ravalomanana following the 2001 presidential elections cost Madagascar millions of dollars in lost tourism and trade revenue as well as damage to infrastructure, such as bombed bridges and buildings damaged by arson.[184] A series of protests led by Andry Rajoelina against Ravalomanana in early 2009 became violent, with more than 170 people killed.[185] Modern politics in Madagascar are colored by the history of Merina subjugation of coastal communities under their rule in the 19th century. The consequent tension between the highland and coastal populations has periodically flared up into isolated events of violence.[186]

Madagascar has historically been perceived as being on the margin of mainstream African affairs despite being a founding member of the Organisation of African Unity, which was established in 1963 and dissolved in 2002 to be replaced by the African Union. Madagascar was not permitted to attend the first African Union summit because of a dispute over the results of the 2001 presidential election, but rejoined the African Union in July 2003 after a 14-month hiatus. Madagascar was again suspended by the African Union in March 2009 following the unconstitutional transfer of executive power to Rajoelina.[187] Madagascar is a member of the International Criminal Court with a Bilateral Immunity Agreement of protection for the United States military.[8] Eleven countries have established embassies in Madagascar, including France, the United Kingdom, the United States, China and India,[188] while Madagascar has embassies in sixteen other countries.

Human rights in Madagascar are protected under the constitution and the state is a signatory to numerous international agreements including the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the Convention on the Rights of the Child.[189] Religious, ethnic and sexual minorities are protected under the law. Freedom of association and assembly are also guaranteed under the law, although in practice the denial of permits for public assembly has occasionally been used to impede political demonstrations.[172][189] Torture by security forces is rare and state repression is low relative to other countries with comparably few legal safeguards, although arbitrary arrests and the corruption of military and police officers remain problems. Ravalomanana's 2004 creation of BIANCO, an anti-corruption bureau, resulted in reduced corruption among Antananarivo's lower-level bureaucrats in particular, although high-level officials have not been prosecuted by the bureau.[172] Accusations of media censorship have risen due to the alleged restrictions on the coverage of government opposition.[190] Some journalists have been arrested for allegedly spreading fake news.[191]

### Military and law enforcement

[edit]

Main articles: Military of Madagascar and Law enforcement in Madagascar

The rise of centralized kingdoms among the Sakalava, Merina and other ethnic groups produced the island's first standing armies by the 16th century, initially equipped with spears but later with muskets, cannons and other firearms.[192] By the early 19th century, the Merina sovereigns of the Kingdom of Madagascar had brought much of the island under their control by mobilizing an army of trained and armed soldiers numbering as high as 30,000.[193] French attacks on coastal towns in the later part of the century prompted then-Prime Minister Rainilaiarivony to solicit British assistance to provide training to the Merina monarchy's army. Despite the training and leadership provided by British military advisers, the Malagasy army was unable to withstand French weaponry and was forced to surrender following an attack on the royal palace at Antananarivo. Madagascar was declared a colony of France in 1897.[194]

The political independence and sovereignty of the Malagasy armed forces, which comprises an army, navy and air force, was restored with independence from France in 1960.[195] Since this time the Malagasy military has never engaged in armed conflict with another state or within its own borders, but has occasionally intervened to restore order during periods of political unrest. Under the socialist Second Republic, Admiral Didier Ratsiraka instated mandatory national armed or civil service for all young citizens regardless of sex, a policy that remained in effect from 1976 to 1991.[196][197] The armed forces are under the direction of the Minister of Defense and have remained largely neutral during times of political crisis, as during the protracted standoff between incumbent Ratsiraka and challenger Marc Ravalomanana in the disputed 2001 presidential elections, when the military refused to intervene in favor of either candidate. This tradition was broken in 2009, when a segment of the army defected to the side of Andry Rajoelina, then-mayor of Antananarivo, in support of his attempt to force President Ravalomanana from power.[172]

The Minister of Interior is responsible for the national police force, paramilitary force (gendarmerie) and the secret police.[181] The police and gendarmerie are stationed and administered at the local level. However, in 2009 fewer than a third of all communes had access to the services of these security forces, with most lacking local-level headquarters for either corps.[198] Traditional community tribunals, called dina, are presided over by elders and other respected figures and remain a key means by which justice is served in rural areas where state presence is weak. Historically, security has been relatively high across the island.[172] Violent crime rates are low, and criminal activities are predominantly crimes of opportunity such as pickpocketing and petty theft, although child prostitution, human trafficking and the production and sale of marijuana and other illegal drugs are increasing.[181] Budget cuts since 2009 have severely impacted the national police force, producing a steep increase in criminal activity in recent years.[172]

### Administrative divisions

[edit]

Main articles: Regions of Madagascar and Districts of Madagascar

Madagascar is subdivided into 23 regions (faritra).[8] The regions are further subdivided into 119 districts, 1,579 communes, and 17,485 fokontany.[198]

Regions of Madagascar

Number
on map  | Region's name  | Area
(km2)  | Population
(2018 Census)[199] | Population
density
per km2 | Capital  | Former
province

|
|
|
|
|
|

1 | Diana | 19,266 | 889,736 | 36.3 | Antsiranana | Antsiranana
2 | Sava | 25,518 | 1,123,013 | 38.4 | Sambava | Antsiranana
3 | Itasy | 6,993 | 897,962 | 104.8 | Miarinarivo | Antananarivo
4 | Analamanga | 16,911 | 3,618,128 | 198.0 | Antananarivo | Antananarivo
5 | Vakinankaratra | 16,599 | 2,074,358 | 108.6 | Antsirabe | Antananarivo
6 | Bongolava | 16,688 | 674,474 | 27.4 | Tsiroanomandidy | Antananarivo
7 | Sofia | 50,100 | 1,500,227 | 24.9 | Antsohihy | Mahajanga
8 | Boeny | 31,046 | 931,171 | 25.8 | Mahajanga | Mahajanga
9 | Betsiboka | 30,025 | 394,561 | 9.8 | Maevatanana | Mahajanga
10 | Melaky | 38,852 | 309,805 | 7.5 | Maintirano | Mahajanga
11 | Alaotra-Mangoro | 31,948 | 1,255,514 | 32.1 | Ambatondrazaka | Toamasina
12 | Atsinanana | 21,934 | 1,484,403 | 57.9 | Toamasina | Toamasina
13 | Analanjirofo | 21,930 | 1,152,345 | 47.2 | Fenoarivo Atsinanana | Toamasina
14 | Amoron'i Mania | 16,141 | 833,919 | 44.3 | Ambositra | Fianarantsoa
15 | Matsiatra Ambony | 21,080 | 1,447,296 | 56.9 | Fianarantsoa | Fianarantsoa
16 | Vatovavy | 12,775 | 705,675 | 72.2 | Mananjary | Fianarantsoa
17 | Atsimo-Atsinanana | 18,863 | 1,026,674 | 47.6 | Farafangana | Fianarantsoa
18 | Ihorombe | 26,391 | 418,520 | 11.8 | Ihosy | Fianarantsoa
19 | Menabe | 46,121 | 700,577 | 12.8 | Morondava | Toliara
20 | Atsimo-Andrefana | 66,236 | 1,799,088 | 19.9 | Toliara | Toliara
21 | Androy | 19,317 | 903,376 | 38.0 | Ambovombe-Androy | Toliara
22 | Anosy | 25,731 | 809,313 | 26.1 | Tôlanaro | Toliara
23 | Fitovinany | 19,605 | 1,435,882 | 72.2 | Manakara | Fianarantsoa

### United Nations involvement

[edit]

Madagascar became a member state of the United Nations on 20 September 1960, shortly after gaining its independence on 26 June 1960.[200] As of January 2017, 34 police officers from Madagascar are deployed in Haiti as part of the United Nations Stabilisation Mission in Haiti.[201] Starting in 2015, under the direction of and with assistance from the UN, the World Food Programme started the Madagascar Country Programme with the two main goals of long-term development and reconstruction efforts, and addressing the food insecurity issues in the southern regions of Madagascar.[202] These goals plan to be accomplished by providing meals for specific schools in rural and urban priority areas and by developing national school feeding policies to increase consistency of nourishment throughout the country. Small and local farmers have also been assisted in increasing both the quantity and quality of their production, as well as improving their crop yield in unfavorable weather conditions.[202] In 2017, Madagascar signed the UN treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons.[203]

## Economy

[edit]

Main articles: Economy of Madagascar and Tourism in Madagascar

Historical change in per capita GDP of Madagascar since 1950 Nosy Iranja is one of the international tourism destinations in Madagascar.

Madagascar's GDP in 2015 was estimated at US$9.98 billion, with a per capita GDP of $411.82.[204][205] Approximately 69% of the population lives below the national poverty line threshold of one dollar per day.[206] According to the United Nations Development Programme, as of 2021, 68.4% of the population is multidimensionally poor.[22] During 2011–15, the average growth rate was 2.6% but was expected to have reached 4.1% in 2016, due to public works programs and a growth of the service sector.[207] The agriculture sector constituted 29% of Malagasy GDP in 2011, while manufacturing formed 15% of GDP. Madagascar's other sources of growth are tourism, agriculture and the extractive industries.[208] The fishing sector represents US$800M or 6% of GNP with 200,000 direct jobs.[209]

Tourism focuses on the niche eco-tourism market, capitalizing on Madagascar's unique biodiversity, unspoiled natural habitats, national parks and lemur species.[210] An estimated 365,000 tourists visited Madagascar in 2008, but the sector declined during the political crisis with 180,000 tourists visiting in 2010.[208] However, the sector has been growing steadily for a few years. In 2016, 293,000 tourists landed in the African island with an increase of 20% compared to 2015. For 2017 the country has the goal of reaching 366,000 visitors, while for 2018 government estimates are expected to reach 500,000 annual tourists.[211]

The island is still a very poor country in 2018; structural brakes remain in the development of the economy: corruption and the shackles of the public administration, lack of legal certainty, and backwardness of land legislation. The economy, however, has been growing since 2011, with GDP growth exceeding 4% per year;[212][213] almost all economic indicators are growing, the GDP per capita was around $1600 (PPP) for 2017,[214] one of the lowest in the world, although growing since 2012; unemployment was also cut, which in 2016 was equal to 2.1%[215] with a work force of 13.4 million as of 2017.[216] The main economic resources of Madagascar are tourism, textiles, agriculture, and mining.

Poverty affects 92% of the population in 2017. The country ranks fourth in the world in terms of chronic malnutrition. Nearly one in two children under the age of five is stunted. In addition, Madagascar is among the five countries where access to water is the most difficult for the population. Twelve million people do not have access to clean water, according to the NGO WaterAid.[217]

### Natural resources and trade

[edit]

Toy animals made from raffia, a native palm[218]

Madagascar's natural resources include a variety of agricultural and mineral products. Agriculture (including the growing of raffia), mining, fishing and forestry are mainstays of the economy. In 2017 the top exports were vanilla (US$894M), nickel metal (US$414M), cloves (US$288M), knitted sweaters (US$184M) and cobalt (US$143M).[219]

Madagascar is the world's principal supplier of vanilla, cloves[220] and ylang-ylang.[133] The island supplies 80% of the world's natural vanilla.[221] Other key agricultural resources include coffee, lychees and shrimp. Key mineral resources include various types of precious and semi-precious stones, and it currently provides half of the world's supply of sapphires, which were discovered near Ilakaka in the late 1990s.[222]

Madagascar has one of the world's largest reserves of ilmenite (titanium ore), as well as important reserves of chromite, coal, iron, cobalt, copper and nickel.[132] Several major projects are underway in the mining, oil and gas sectors that are anticipated to give a significant boost to the Malagasy economy. These include such projects as ilmenite and zircon mining at the Mandena mine by Rio Tinto,[223] extraction of nickel by the Ambatovy mine near Moramanga and its processing near Toamasina by Sherritt International,[224] and the development of the giant onshore heavy oil deposits at Tsimiroro and Bemolanga by Madagascar Oil.[225]

Exports formed 28% of GDP in 2009.[8] Most of the country's export revenue is derived from the textiles industry, fish and shellfish, vanilla, cloves and other foodstuffs.[208] France is the nation's main trading partner, although the United States, Japan and Germany also have strong economic ties.[132] High-value cash crops for export such as lychees are more recent growth areas, with 18,000 tons sold abroad in 2023, of which 16,000 tons were exported to Europe.[226]

The Madagascar-U.S. Business Council was formed in May 2003, as a collaboration between USAID and Malagasy artisan producers to support the export of local handicrafts to foreign markets.[227] Imports of such items as foodstuffs, fuel, capital goods, vehicles, consumer goods and electronics consume an estimated 52% of GDP. The main sources of Madagascar's imports include China,[228] France, Iran, Mauritius and Hong Kong.[8]

### Infrastructure and media

[edit]

Main articles: Transport in Madagascar, Telecommunications in Madagascar, and List of newspapers in Madagascar

A news stand in Antananarivo In many places oxcarts are an important medium of transport, like in Ambatolampy.

In 2010, Madagascar had approximately 7,617 km (4,730 mi) of paved roads, 854 km (530 mi) of railways and 432 km (270 mi) of navigable waterways.[13] The majority of roads in Madagascar are unpaved, with many becoming impassable in the rainy season. Largely paved national routes connect the six largest regional towns to Antananarivo, with minor paved and unpaved routes providing access to other population centers in each district.[59] Construction of the Antananarivo–Toamasina toll highway, the country's first toll highway, began in December 2022. The approximately US$1,000,000,000 infrastructure project, which will connect Madagascar's capital to its largest seaport, is expected to take four years to complete.[229] Another project meant to create 348 kilometres (216 mi) of roads and create better connections costs €235.5 million. This includes a €116 million grant from the European Union, a €110 million loan from the European Investment Bank, and €4.8 million in finance from the Republic of Madagascar.[230] Since 2016, €100.4 million has been paid to the Republic of Madagascar through this project.[230][231]

There are several rail lines in Madagascar. Antananarivo is connected to Toamasina, Ambatondrazaka and Antsirabe by rail, and another rail line connects Fianarantsoa to Manakara. The most important seaport in Madagascar is located on the east coast at Toamasina. Ports at Mahajanga and Antsiranana are significantly less used because of their remoteness.[59] Madagascar's government hopes to expand the ports of Antsiranana in the north and Taolagnaro in the south, connecting them to improved road networks, since many imports are every day necessities and Madagascar also relies on export money.[230][232][233] The island's newest port at Ehoala, constructed in 2008 and privately managed by Rio Tinto, will come under state control upon completion of the company's mining project near Tôlanaro around 2038.[223] Madagascar Airlines services the island's many small regional airports, which offer the only practical means of access to many of the more remote regions during rainy season road washouts.[59]

Running water and electricity are supplied at the national level by a government service provider, Jirama, which is unable to service the entire population. As of 2009[update], only 6.8% of Madagascar's fokontany had access to water provided by Jirama, while 9.5% had access to its electricity services.[198] 56% of Madagascar's power is provided by hydroelectric power plants, with the remaining 44% provided by diesel engine generators.[234] Mobile telephone and internet access are widespread in urban areas but remain limited in rural parts of the island. Approximately 30% of the districts are able to access the nations' several private telecommunicationsnetworks via mobile telephones or land lines.[198] The World Bank estimates that 17 million people in Madagascar's rural areas live more than 2 kilometres away from an all-season road.[235] In Madagascar, 11% of the rural population has access to power.[230][236]

Radio broadcasts remain the principal means by which the Malagasy population access international, national, and local news. Only state radio broadcasts are transmitted across the entire island. Hundreds of public and private stations with local or regional range provide alternatives to state broadcasting.[182] In addition to the state television channel, a variety of privately owned television stations broadcast local and international programming throughout Madagascar. Several media outlets are owned by political partisans or politicians themselves, including the media groups MBS (owned by Ravalomanana) and Viva (owned by Rajoelina),[172] contributing to political polarization in reporting.

The media have historically come under varying degrees of pressure to censor their criticism of the government. Reporters are occasionally threatened or harassed, and media outlets are periodically forced to close.[182] Accusations of media censorship have increased since 2009 because of the alleged intensification of restrictions on political criticism.[189] Access to the internet has grown dramatically in the 21st century; in December 2011, an estimated 352,000 residents of Madagascar accessed the internet from home or in one of the nation's many internet cafés .[182] By January 2022, 22.3% of the population (6.43 million people) had internet access, mostly through mobile phones.[237]

## Demographics

[edit]

Main articles: Demographics of Madagascar and List of cities in Madagascar

Ethno-linguistic map of Madagascar

Agriculture has long influenced settlement on the island. Almost 60% of the nation's population live in rural areas.[238]

In 2024, the population of Madagascar was estimated at 32 million, up from 2.2 million in 1900.[239][59] The annual population growth rate in Madagascar was approximately 2.4% in 2024.[239]

Approximately 39.3% of the population is younger than 15 years of age, while 57.3% are between the ages of 15 and 64. Those aged 65 and older form 3.4% of the total population.[239] Only two general censuses, in 1975 and 1993, have been carried out after independence. The most densely populated regions of the island are the eastern highlands and the eastern coast, contrasting most dramatically with the sparsely populated western plains.[59]

### Ethnic groups

[edit]

Main article: Ethnic groups of Madagascar

Little Antanosy girl with dark blond hair

The Malagasy ethnic group forms over 90% of Madagascar's population and is typically divided into 18 ethnic subgroups.[8] Recent DNA research revealed that the genetic makeup of the average Malagasy person constitutes an approximately equal blend of Southeast Asian, Oceanian and East African genes,[240][241][44] although the genetics of some communities show a predominance of Southeast Asian or East African origins or some Arab, Indian, or European ancestry.[242]

Southeast Asian features – specifically from the southern part of Borneo – are most predominant among the Merina of the central highlands,[186] who form the largest Malagasy ethnic subgroup at approximately 26% of the population, while certain communities among the western coastal peoples (collectively called côtiers) have relatively stronger East African features. The largest coastal ethnic subgroups are the Betsimisaraka (14.9%) and the Tsimihety and Sakalava (6% each).[59] Peoples along the east and southeastern coasts often have a roughly equal blend of Austronesian and Bantu ancestry; coastal peoples also usually show the largest genetic influence from the centuries of Arab, Somali, Gujarati, and Tamil traders and merchants of the area, compared to the inland highlander peoples.

Malagasy ethnic subgroups | Regional concentration

|

Antankarana, Sakalava, Tsimihety | Former Antsiranana Province; north and northwestern coasts
Sakalava, Vezo | Former Mahajanga Province; western coast
Betsimisaraka, Sihanaka, Bezanozano | Former Toamasina Province; eastern coast
Merina | Former Antananarivo Province; central highlands
Betsileo, Antaifasy, Antambahoaka, Antaimoro, Antaisaka, Tanala | Former Fianarantsoa Province; southeastern coast
Mahafaly, Antandroy, Antanosy people, Bara, Vezo | Former Toliara Province; southern inland regions and coast

Chinese, Indian and Comoran minorities are present in Madagascar, as well as a small European (primarily French) populace. Emigration in the late 20th century has reduced these minority populations, occasionally in abrupt waves, such as the exodus of Comorans in 1976, following anti-Comoran riots in Mahajanga.[59] By comparison, there has been no significant emigration of Malagasy peoples.[132] The number of Europeans has declined since independence, reduced from 68,430 in 1958[114] to 17,000 three decades later. There were an estimated 25,000 Comorans, 18,000 Indians, and 9,000 Chinese living in Madagascar in the mid-1980s.[59]

### Largest cities

[edit]

* v
* t
* e

Largest cities or towns in Madagascar

According to the 2018 Census[243]

Rank  | Name | Region | Pop.
1 | Antananarivo | Analamanga | 1,275,207
2 | Toamasina | Atsinanana | 326,286
3 | Antsirabe | Vakinankaratra | 245,592
4 | Mahajanga | Boeny | 244,722
5 | Fianarantsoa | Haute Matsiatra | 189,879
6 | Toliara | Atsimo-Andrefana | 169,760
7 | Antsiranana | Diana | 131,165
8 | Hell-Ville | Diana | 109,365
9 | Sambava | Sava | 85,659
10 | Taolagnaro | Anosy | 67,188

### Languages

[edit]

A Malagasy child

Main articles: Malagasy language and Languages of Madagascar

The Malagasy language is of Malayo-Polynesian origin and is generally spoken throughout the island. The numerous dialects of Malagasy, which are generally mutually intelligible,[244] can be clustered under three subgroups: Central-Eastern Malagasic, Northern Malagasic and Southern Malagasic.[245]

### Tree list of Malagasy dialects

[edit]

* Proto-Malagasy
* Central-Eastern Malagasic
* Plateaux Malagasy
* Merina-Vakinankaratra
* Merina
* Standard Malagasy
* Inner City Merina
* Vakinankaratra
* Betsileo
* Bezanozano
* Sihanaka
* Antemoro-Antefasy
* Sahavoay
* Antemoro
* Antefasy
* Zafisoro
* Antambahoaka
* Tanala
* Sahafatra -Antesaka
* Southern Betsimisaraka
* Southern Malagasic
* Vezo-Sakalava
* Southern Sakalava
* Vezo
* Masikoro
* Tandroy
* Karimbola
* Mahafaly
* Bara
* Antanosy
* Northern Malagasic
* Northern Sakalava
* Kibushi
* Kibushi Kimaore
* Kibushi Kiantalaotsy[246]
* Sakalava Anjoaty
* Antakarana
* Tsimihety
* Northern Betsimisaraka

The Malagasy language derives from the Southeast Barito languages, with the Ma'anyan language being its closest relative, incorporating numerous Malay and Javanese loanwords.[247][248]

French became the official language during the colonial period, when Madagascar came under the authority of France. In the first national Constitution of 1958, Malagasy and French were named the official languages of the Malagasy Republic. Madagascar is a francophone country, and French is mostly spoken as a second language among the educated population and used for international communication.[59]

Among the upper class in large cities, French is spoken as a native language.[249]

No official languages were mentioned in the Constitution of 1992, although Malagasy was identified as the national language. Nonetheless, many sources still claimed that Malagasy and French were official languages, eventually leading a citizen to initiate a legal case against the state in April 2000, on the grounds that the publication of official documents only in the French language was unconstitutional. The High Constitutional Court observed in its decision that, in the absence of a language law, French still had the character of an official language.[250]

The Constitution of 2007 recognised three official languages: Malagasy, French, and English.[251] A fourth Constitution, adopted in 2010 following a referendum,[1] recognised only Malagasy and French.

### Religion

[edit]

Main article: Religion in Madagascar

Our Lady of La Salette Cathedral in Antsirabe Faravohitra Catholic Church in Antananarivo

Christianity is the most widely professed religion in Madagascar. According to the most recent national census completed in 1993, a majority of the population (52%) adhered to indigenous beliefs, with Christianity being the largest single religion at 41%, followed by Islam at 7%. However, according to the Pew Research Center in 2020, 85% of the population identified as Christian, while just 4.5% exclusively practiced folk religions; Protestants comprise a plurality of Christians, followed by Catholics.[252] In contrast, a 2020 study conducted by the Association of Religion Data Archives found 58.1% of the population was Christian, 2.1% Muslim, 39.2% practiced traditional faiths, and 0.6% was nonreligious or adhered to other faiths.[253][8]

The inconsistency in religious data reflects the common practice of alternating between religious identities or syncretizing different faith traditions. Christians integrate and combine their religious beliefs with the deeply rooted practice of honoring ancestors. For instance, they may bless their dead at church before proceeding with traditional burial rites or invite a Christian minister to consecrate a famadihana reburial.[254] Christianity is predominant in the highlands.[255] The Malagasy Council of Churches comprises the four oldest and most prominent Christian denominations of Madagascar (Catholic, Church of Jesus Christ in Madagascar, Lutheran, and Anglican) and has been influential in Malagasy politics.[256]

The veneration of ancestors has led to the widespread tradition of tomb building, as well as the highlands practice of the famadihana, whereby a deceased family member's remains are exhumed and re-wrapped in fresh silk shrouds, before being replaced in the tomb. The famadihana is an occasion to celebrate the beloved ancestor's memory, reunite with family and community, and enjoy a festive atmosphere. Residents of surrounding villages are often invited to attend the party, where food and rum are typically served, and a hiragasy troupe or other musical entertainment is commonly present.[254] Consideration for ancestors is also demonstrated through adherence to fady, taboos that are respected during and after the lifetime of the person who establishes them. It is widely believed that by showing respect for ancestors in these ways, they may intervene on behalf of the living. Conversely, misfortunes are often attributed to ancestors whose memory or wishes have been neglected. The sacrifice of zebu is a traditional method used to appease or honor the ancestors. In addition, the Malagasy traditionally believe in a creator god, called Zanahary or Andriamanitra.[257]

Islam was first brought to Madagascar in the Middle Ages by Arab and Somali Muslim traders, who established several Islamic schools along the eastern coast. While the use of Arabic script and loan words, and the adoption of Islamic astrology, would spread across the island, Islam took hold in only a handful of southeastern coastal communities. In 2020, Muslims constituted 2% of the population of Madagascar.[253][8] They are largely concentrated in the northwestern provinces of Mahajanga and Antsiranana. Muslims are divided between ethnic Malagasy and Indians, Pakistanis and Comorans.

Hinduism was introduced to Madagascar through Gujarati people immigrating from the Saurashtra region of India in the late 19th century. Most Hindus in Madagascar speak Gujarati or Hindi at home, reflecting the faiths concentration among those of Indian ancestry.[258]

Rabbinic Judaism emerged on the island in the 21st century, as the common belief in a myth of Jewish origin for the Malagasy peoples inspired Messianic Jews in Antananarivo to begin researching Judaism and studying the Torah. In 2016, 121 members of the Malagasy Jewish community were formally converted to Orthodox Judaism.[259]

### Health

[edit]

Main article: Healthcare in Madagascar

Medical centers, dispensaries, and hospitals are found throughout the island, although they are concentrated in urban areas and particularly in Antananarivo. Access to medical care remains beyond the reach of many Malagasy, especially in the rural areas, and many recourse to traditional healers.[260] In addition to the high expense of medical care relative to the average Malagasy income, the prevalence of trained medical professionals remains extremely low. In 2010, Madagascar had an average of three hospital beds per 10,000 people and a total of 3,150 doctors, 5,661 nurses, 385 community health workers, 175 pharmacists, and 57 dentists for a population of 22 million. Fifteen percent of government spending in 2008 was directed toward the health sector. Approximately 70% of spending on health was contributed by the government, while 30% originated with international donors and other private sources.[261] The government provides at least one basic health center per commune. Private health centers are concentrated within urban areas and particularly those of the central highlands.[198]

Despite these barriers to access, health services have shown a trend toward improvement over the past 20 years. Child immunizations against such diseases as hepatitis B, diphtheria, and measles increased an average of 60% in this period, indicating low but increasing availability of basic medical services and treatments. The Malagasy fertility rate in 2009 was 4.6 children per woman, declining from 6.3 in 1990. Teen pregnancy rates of 14.8% in 2011, much higher than the African average, are a contributing factor to rapid population growth.[261] In 2010, the maternal mortality rate was 440 per 100,000 births, compared to 373.1 in 2008 and 484.4 in 1990, indicating a decline in perinatal care following the 2009 coup. The infant mortality rate in 2011 was 41 per 1,000 births,[8] with an under-five mortality rate at 61 per 1,000 births.[262] Schistosomiasis, malaria, and sexually transmitted diseases are common in Madagascar, although infection rates of AIDS remain low relative to many countries in mainland Africa, at 0.2% of the adult population. The malaria mortality rate is also among the lowest in Africa at 8.5 deaths per 100,000 people, in part because of the highest frequency use of insecticide treated nets in Africa.[261] Adult life expectancy in 2009 was 63 years for men and 67 years for women.[261]

Madagascar had outbreaks of the bubonic plague and pneumonic plague in 2017 (2575 cases, 221 deaths) and 2014 (263 confirmed cases, 71 deaths).[263] In 2019, Madagascar had a measles outbreak, resulting in 118,000 cases and 1,688 deaths. In 2020, Madagascar was also affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. Undernourishment and hunger rates were at 42% in 2018.[264] According to the United Nations, more than one million people in southern Madagascar are struggling to get enough to eat,[265] due to what could become the first famine caused by climate change.[266]

### Education

[edit]

Main article: Education in Madagascar

Education access and quality were prioritized under Ravalomanana.

Prior to the 19th century, all education in Madagascar was informal and typically served to teach practical skills as well as social and cultural values, including respect for ancestors and elders.[59] The first formal European-style school was established in 1818 at Toamasina by members of the London Missionary Society (LMS). The LMS was invited by King Radama I to expand its schools throughout Imerina to teach basic literacy and numeracy to aristocratic children. The schools were closed by Ranavalona I in 1835,[267] but reopened and expanded in the decades after her death.

By the end of the 19th century, Madagascar had the most developed and modern school system in pre-colonial Sub-Saharan Africa. Access to schooling was expanded in coastal areas during the colonial period, with French language and basic work skills becoming the focus of the curriculum. During the post-colonial First Republic, a continued reliance on French nationals as teachers, and French as the language of instruction, displeased those desiring a complete separation from the former colonial power.[59] Consequently, under the socialist Second Republic, French instructors and other nationals were expelled, Malagasy was declared the language of instruction, and a large cadre of young Malagasy were rapidly trained to teach at remote rural schools under the mandatory two-year national service policy.[268]

This policy, known as malgachization, coincided with a severe economic downturn and a dramatic decline in the quality of education. Those schooled during this period generally failed to master the French language or many other subjects and struggled to find employment, forcing many to take low-paying jobs in the informal or black market that mired them in deepening poverty. Excepting the brief presidency of Albert Zafy, from 1992 to 1996, Ratsiraka remained in power from 1975 to 2001 and failed to achieve significant improvements in education throughout his tenure.[269]

Education was prioritized under the Ravalomanana administration (2002–09), and is currently free and compulsory from ages 6 to 13.[270] The primary schooling cycle is five years, followed by four years at the lower secondary level and three years at the upper secondary level.[59] During Ravalomanana's first term, thousands of new primary schools and additional classrooms were constructed, older buildings were renovated, and tens of thousands of new primary teachers were recruited and trained. Primary school fees were eliminated, and kits containing basic school supplies were distributed to primary students.[270]

Government school construction initiatives have ensured at least one primary school per fokontany and one lower secondary school within each commune. At least one upper secondary school is located in each of the larger urban centers.[198] The three branches of the national public university are located at Antananarivo, Mahajanga, and Fianarantsoa. These are complemented by public teacher-training colleges and several private universities and technical colleges.[59]

As a result of increased educational access, enrollment rates more than doubled between 1996 and 2006. However, education quality is weak, producing high rates of grade repetition and dropout.[270] Education policy in Ravalomanana's second term focused on quality issues, including an increase in minimum education standards for the recruitment of primary teachers from a middle school leaving certificate (BEPC) to a high school leaving certificate (BAC), and a reformed teacher training program to support the transition from traditional didactic instruction to student-centered teaching methods to boost student learning and participation in the classroom.[271] Public expenditure on education was 2.8% of GDP in 2014. The literacy rate is estimated at 64.7%.[127]

## Culture

[edit]

Main article: Culture of Madagascar

Each of the many ethnic subgroups in Madagascar adhere to their own set of beliefs, practices and ways of life that have historically contributed to their unique identities. However, there are a number of core cultural features that are common throughout the island, creating a strongly unified Malagasy cultural identity. In addition to a common language and shared traditional religious beliefs around a creator god and veneration of the ancestors, the traditional Malagasy worldview is shaped by values that emphasize fihavanana (solidarity), vintana (destiny), tody (karma), and hasina, a sacred life force that traditional communities believe imbues and thereby legitimates authority figures within the community or family. Other cultural elements commonly found throughout the island include the practice of male circumcision; strong kinship ties; a widespread belief in the power of magic, diviners, astrology and witch doctors; and a traditional division of social classes into nobles, commoners, and slaves.[59][257]

Although social castes are no longer legally recognized, ancestral caste affiliation often continues to affect social status, economic opportunity, and roles within the community.[272] Malagasy people traditionally consult Mpanandro ("Makers of the Days") to identify the most auspicious days for important events such as weddings or famadihana, according to a traditional astrological system introduced by Arabs. Similarly, the nobles of many Malagasy communities in the pre-colonial period would commonly employ advisers known as the ombiasy (from olona-be-hasina, "man of much virtue") of the southeastern Antemoro ethnic group, who trace their ancestry back to early Somali settlers.[273]

The diverse origins of Malagasy culture are evident in its tangible expressions. The most emblematic instrument of Madagascar, the valiha, is a bamboo tube zither carried to Madagascar by early settlers from southern Borneo, and is very similar in form to those found in Indonesia and the Philippines today.[274] Traditional houses in Madagascar are likewise similar to those of southern Borneo in terms of symbolism and construction, featuring a rectangular layout with a peaked roof and central support pillar.[275] Reflecting a widespread veneration of the ancestors, tombs are culturally significant in many regions and tend to be built of more durable material, typically stone, and display more elaborate decoration than the houses of the living.[276] The production and weaving of silk can be traced back to the island's earliest settlers, and Madagascar's national dress, the woven lamba, has evolved into a varied and refined art.[277]

The Southeast Asian cultural influence is also evident in Malagasy cuisine, in which rice is consumed at every meal, typically accompanied by one of a variety of flavorful vegetable or meat dishes.[278] African influence is reflected in the sacred importance of zebu cattle and their embodiment of their owner's wealth, traditions originating on the African mainland. Cattle rustling, originally a rite of passage for young men in the plains areas of Madagascar where the largest herds of cattle are kept, has become a dangerous and sometimes deadly criminal enterprise as herdsmen in the southwest attempt to defend their cattle with traditional spears against increasingly armed professional rustlers.[52]

### Media

[edit]

Main article: Communications in Madagascar

### Arts

[edit]

Main article: Music of Madagascar

A Hiragasy dancer

A wide variety of oral and written literature has developed in Madagascar. One of the island's foremost artistic traditions is its oratory, as expressed in the forms of hainteny (poetry), kabary (public discourse) and ohabolana (proverbs).[279][280] An epic poem exemplifying these traditions, the Ibonia, has been handed down over the centuries in several different forms across the island, and offers insight into the diverse mythologies and beliefs of traditional Malagasy communities.[281] This tradition was continued in the 20th century by such artists as Jean-Joseph Rabearivelo, who is considered Africa's first modern poet,[282] and Elie Rajaonarison, an exemplar of the new wave of Malagasy poetry.[283] Madagascar has also developed a rich musical heritage, embodied in dozens of regional musical genres such as the coastal salegy or highland hiragasy that enliven village gatherings, local dance floors and national airwaves.[284] Madagascar also has a growing culture of classical music fostered through youth academies, organizations and orchestras that promote youth involvement in classical music.

The plastic arts are also widespread throughout the island. In addition to the tradition of silk weaving and lamba production, the weaving of raffia and other local plant materials has been used to create a wide array of practical items such as floor mats, baskets, purses and hats.[227] Wood carving is a highly developed art form, with distinct regional styles evident in the decoration of balcony railings and other architectural elements. Sculptors create a variety of furniture and household goods, aloalo funerary posts, and wooden sculptures, many of which are produced for the tourist market.[285] The decorative and functional woodworking traditions of the Zafimaniry people of the central highlands was inscribed on UNESCO's list of Intangible Cultural Heritage in 2008.[286]

Among the Antaimoro people, the production of paper embedded with flowers and other decorative natural materials is a long-established tradition that the community has begun to market to eco-tourists.[285] Embroidery and drawn thread work are done by hand to produce clothing, as well as tablecloths and other home textiles for sale in local crafts markets.[227] Malagasy artists such as Madame Zo have incorporated textile traditions of Madagascar directly into their work.[287] A small but growing number of fine art galleries in Antananarivo, and several other urban areas, offer paintings by local artists, and annual art events, such as the Hosotra open-air exhibition in the capital, contribute to the continuing development of fine arts in Madagascar.[288]

### Sport

[edit]

Moraingy is a traditional martial art of Madagascar.

A number of traditional pastimes have emerged in Madagascar. Moraingy, a type of hand-to-hand combat, is a popular spectator sport in coastal regions. It is traditionally practiced by men, but women have recently begun to participate.[289] The wrestling of zebu cattle, which is named savika or tolon-omby, is also practiced in many regions.[290] In addition to sports, a wide variety of games are played. Among the most emblematic is fanorona, a board game widespread throughout the Highland regions. According to folk legend, the succession of King Andrianjaka after his father Ralambo was partially the result of the obsession that Andrianjaka's older brother may have had with playing fanorona to the detriment of his other responsibilities.[291]

Western recreational activities were introduced to Madagascar over the past two centuries. Rugby union is considered the national sport of Madagascar.[292] Soccer is also popular. Madagascar has produced a world champion in pétanque, a French game similar to lawn bowling, which is widely played in urban areas and throughout the Highlands.[293] School athletics programs typically include soccer, track and field, judo, boxing, women's basketball and women's tennis. Madagascar sent its first competitors to the Olympic Games in 1964, and has also competed in the African Games.[132] Scouting is represented in Madagascar by its own local federation of three scouting clubs. Membership in 2011 was estimated at 14,905.[294]

Because of its advanced sports facilities, Antananarivo gained the hosting rights for several of Africa's top international basketball events, including the 2011 FIBA Africa Championship,[295] the 2009 FIBA Africa Championship for Women,[296] the 2014 FIBA Africa Under-18 Championship,[297] the 2013 FIBA Africa Under-16 Championship,[298] and the 2015 FIBA Africa Under-16 Championship for Women.[299] Madagascar's national 3x3 basketball team won the gold medal at the 2019 African Games.

### Cuisine

[edit]

Main article: Malagasy cuisine

Malagasy cuisine reflects the diverse influences of Southeast Asian, African, Oceania, Indian, Chinese, and European culinary traditions. The complexity of Malagasy meals can range from the simple, traditional preparations introduced by the earliest settlers, to the refined festival dishes prepared for the island's 19th-century monarchs. Throughout almost the entire island, the contemporary cuisine of Madagascar typically consists of a base of rice (vary) served with an accompaniment (laoka). The many varieties of laoka may be vegetarian or include animal proteins, and typically feature a sauce flavored with such ingredients as ginger, onion, garlic, tomato, vanilla, coconut milk, salt, curry powder, green peppercorns or, less commonly, other spices or herbs. In parts of the arid south and west, pastoral families may replace rice with maize, cassava, or curds made from fermented zebu milk. A wide variety of sweet and savory fritters as well as other street foods are available across the island, as are diverse tropical and temperate-climate fruits. Locally produced beverages include fruit juices, coffee, herbal teas, and alcoholic drinks such as rum, wine, and beer.[278] Three Horses Beer is the most popular beer on the island[300] and is considered emblematic of Madagascar.[301]

## See also

[edit]

* Madagascar portal

* Index of Madagascar-related articles
* Outline of Madagascar

## Notes

[edit]

1. ^

* /ˌmædəˈɡæskər, -kɑːr/ MAD-ə-GAS-kər, -⁠kar
* Malagasy: Madagasikara [madaɡasikʲara]

2. ^

* Malagasy: Repoblikan'i Madagasikara [repuˈblikʲanʲ madaɡasʲˈkʲarə̥]
* French: République de Madagascar [ʁepyblik də madagaskaʁ]

## References

[edit]

1. ^ a b Le Comité Consultatif Constitutionnel (1 October 2010). "Projet de Constitution de la Quatrième République de Madagascar" (PDF) (in French). Madagascar Tribune. Archived (PDF) from the original on 28 June 2011. Retrieved 24 August 2011.
2. ^ "MADAGASCAR: general data". Populstat.info. Archived from the original on 9 February 2014. Retrieved 15 July 2013.
3. ^ "Madagascar people groups, languages and religions". Joshua Project. Retrieved 18 April 2025.
4. ^ "Demonyms – Names of Nationalities". Geography.about.com. Archived from the original on 21 August 2016. Retrieved 15 July 2013.
5. ^ "Malagasy – National Geographic Style Manual". Archived from the original on 27 December 2017. Retrieved 27 February 2017.
6. ^ "The beginning of the Merina Kingdom". Mada Magazine. 4 August 2015. Archived from the original on 17 August 2015. Retrieved 30 March 2021.
7. ^ "Madagascar". Lonely Planet. Archived from the original on 30 March 2021. Retrieved 30 March 2021.
8. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p Bureau of African Affairs (3 May 2011). "Background Note: Madagascar". U.S. Department of State. Archived from the original on 26 October 2020. Retrieved 24 August 2011.
9. ^ "By Location | Pivot Table | Data Portal".
10. ^ a b c d "World Economic Outlook Database, October 2023 Edition. (Madagascar)". International Monetary Fund. 10 October 2023. Archived from the original on 1 November 2023. Retrieved 17 October 2023.
11. ^ "Gini Index coefficient". CIA Factbook. Archived from the original on 7 July 2021. Retrieved 16 July 2021.
12. ^ "Human Development Report 2025" (PDF). United Nations Development Programme. 6 May 2025. Archived (PDF) from the original on 6 May 2025. Retrieved 6 May 2025.
13. ^ a b c Bradt (2011), p. 2.
14. ^ a b "Island Countries of the World". WorldAtlas.com. Archived from the original on 7 December 2017. Retrieved 10 August 2019.
15. ^ Raval, U.; Veeraswamy, K. (1 July 2003). "India-Madagascar Separation: Breakup Along a Pre-existing Mobile Belt and Chipping of the Craton". Gondwana Research. 6 (3): 467–485\. Bibcode:2003GondR...6..467R. doi:10.1016/S1342-937X(05)70999-0. ISSN 1342-937X. Archived from the original on 28 November 2022. Retrieved 28 November 2022.
16. ^ a b c Mitchell, Peter (1 October 2020). "Settling Madagascar: When Did People First Colonize the World's Largest Island?". The Journal of Island and Coastal Archaeology. 15 (4): 576–595\. doi:10.1080/15564894.2019.1582567. ISSN 1556-4894. S2CID 195555955. Archived from the original on 6 December 2021. Retrieved 6 December 2021.
17. ^ Heiske, Margit; Alva, Omar; Pereda-Loth, Veronica; Van Schalkwyk, Matthew; Radimilahy, Chantal; Letellier, Thierry; Rakotarisoa, Jean-Aimé; Pierron, Denis (2021). "Genetic evidence and historical theories of the Asian and African origins of the present Malagasy population". Human Molecular Genetics. 30 (R1): R72 – R78. doi:10.1093/hmg/ddab018. PMID 33481023.
18. ^ Mohr, Charles (1 February 1971). "In French-Tinied Madagascar, African and Asian Cultures Meet". The New York Times. Archived from the original on 18 April 2023. Retrieved 17 April 2023.
19. ^ "MADAGASCAR: Aepyornis Island". TIME. 23 March 1942. Archived from the original on 18 April 2023. Retrieved 17 April 2023.
20. ^ Pierron, Denis; Razafindrazaka, Harilanto; Pagani, Luca; Ricaut, François-Xavier; Antao, Tiago; Capredon, Mélanie; Sambo, Clément; Radimilahy, Chantal; Rakotoarisoa, Jean-Aimé; Blench, Roger M.; Letellier, Thierry (21 January 2014). "Genome-wide evidence of Austronesian–Bantu admixture and cultural reversion in a hunter-gatherer group of Madagascar". Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. 111 (3): 936–941\. Bibcode:2014PNAS..111..936P. doi:10.1073/pnas.1321860111. ISSN 0027-8424. PMC 3903192. PMID 24395773.
21. ^ "About LDCs". UN-OHRLLS. Archived from the original on 8 October 2014. Retrieved 22 February 2017.
22. ^ a b "Multidimensional Poverty Index 2023: Madagascar" (PDF). United Nations Development Programme: Human Development Reports. 2023. Archived (PDF) from the original on 21 May 2024. Retrieved 28 May 2024.
23. ^ "Madagascar | World Food Programme". www.wfp.org. 29 March 2024. Retrieved 20 January 2025.
24. ^ National Geographic. "Style Manual". Archived from the original on 25 May 2013. Retrieved 31 August 2012.
25. ^ Raveloson, Andriamiranto (25 March 2020). "Malagasy? Or is it Madagascan? Our research provides the answer". theconversation.com. Archived from the original on 13 June 2020. Retrieved 20 August 2020.
26. ^ Voarintsoa, Ny Riavo G.; Raveloson, Andriamiranto; Barimalala, Rondrotiana; Razafindratsima, Onja H. (July 2019). "'Malagasy' or 'Madagascan'? Which English term best reflects the people, the culture, and other things from Madagascar?". Scientific African. 4 e00091. Bibcode:2019SciAf...400091V. doi:10.1016/j.sciaf.2019.e00091. S2CID 187807236.
27. ^ a b Cousins (1895), pp. 11–12
28. ^ a b Room (2006), p. 230
29. ^ a b Clockers, Alain (30 December 2014). "Histoire des noms anciens de Madagascar : réévaluations et nouvelles hypothèses". Études Océan Indien (in French) (51–52). doi:10.4000/oceanindien.1704. ISSN 0246-0092. Archived from the original on 1 June 2023. Retrieved 1 June 2023.51–52&rft.date=2014-12-30&rft_id=info:doi/10.4000/oceanindien.1704&rft.issn=0246-0092&rft.aulast=Clockers&rft.aufirst=Alain&rft_id=https://journals.openedition.org/oceanindien/1704?lang=en&rfr_id=info:sid/en.wikipedia.org:Madagascar" class="Z3988">
30. ^ Grandidier, Alfred (1885). Histoire de la géographie de Madagascar (in French). Imprimerie nationale. Archived from the original on 21 August 2023. Retrieved 23 June 2023.
31. ^ a b c The Antananarvio Annual and Madagascar Magazine. London Missionary Society Press. 1893. Archived from the original on 4 June 2023. Retrieved 4 June 2023.
32. ^ a b Sibree, James (1896). Madagascar Before the Conquest: The Island, the Country, and the People, with Chapters on Travel and Topography, Folk-lore, Strange Customs and Superstitions, the Animal Life of the Island, and Mission Work and Progress Among the Inhabitants. Macmillan. Archived from the original on 4 June 2023. Retrieved 4 June 2023.
33. ^ Kent, Raymond K. (1967). Early Kingdoms in Madagascar and the Birth of the Sakalava Empire, 1500-1700. University of Wisconsin--Madison. p. 186\. Archived from the original on 5 June 2023. Retrieved 5 June 2023.
34. ^ Megiser, Hieronymus (1609). Warhafftige, gründliche und aussführliche, so wol historische als chorographische Beschreibung der ... Insul Madagascar. ... Samt ... angehengtem Dictionario und Dialogis der Madagascarischen Sprach (in German). pp. 58–60\. Archived from the original on 14 January 2024. Retrieved 14 January 2024.
35. ^ Linschoten, Jan Huygen van (1885). The Voyage of John Huyghen Van Linschoten to the East Indies: From the Old English Translation of 1598. The First Book, Containing His Description of the East... Hakluyt society. Archived from the original on 4 June 2023. Retrieved 4 June 2023.
36. ^ 'America and West Indies: June 1699, 12-20', in Calendar of State Papers Colonial, America and West Indies: Volume 17, 1699 and Addenda 1621-1698, ed. Cecil Headlam (London, 1908), pp. 283–291. British History Online http://www.british-history.ac.uk/cal-state-papers/colonial/america-west-indies/vol17/pp283-291 Archived 16 February 2023 at the Wayback Machine [accessed 1 June 2023].
37. ^ W. M. C. (16 December 1882). "The Malagasy" (PDF). The Graphic. No. 681\. Archived (PDF) from the original on 1 June 2023. Retrieved 1 June 2023.
38. ^ Saleh Bin Osman (August 1891). "The Story of My Life". St. Nicholas: An Illustrated Magazine for Young Folks (18): 795–8\. Archived from the original on 1 June 2023. Retrieved 1 June 2023.
39. ^ Basset, Charles (1903). Madagascar et l'oeuvre du Général Galliéni (in French). A. Rousseau.
40. ^ Crowley, B.E. (2010). "A refined chronology of prehistoric Madagascar and the demise of the megafauna". Quaternary Science Reviews. 29 (19–20): 2591–2603\. Bibcode:2010QSRv...29.2591C. doi:10.1016/j.quascirev.2010.06.030.19–20&rft.pages=2591-2603&rft.date=2010&rft_id=info:doi/10.1016/j.quascirev.2010.06.030&rft_id=info:bibcode/2010QSRv...29.2591C&rft.aulast=Crowley&rft.aufirst=B.E.&rfr_id=info:sid/en.wikipedia.org:Madagascar" class="Z3988">
41. ^ Dewar, Robert E.; Wright, Henry T. (1993). "The culture history of Madagascar". Journal of World Prehistory. 7 (4): 417–466\. doi:10.1007/bf00997802. hdl:2027.42/45256. S2CID 21753825.
42. ^ Burney DA, Burney LP, Godfrey LR, Jungers WL, Goodman SM, Wright HT, Jull AJ (August 2004). "A chronology for late prehistoric Madagascar". Journal of Human Evolution. 47 (1–2): 25–63\. Bibcode:2004JHumE..47...25B. doi:10.1016/j.jhevol.2004.05.005. PMID 15288523.1–2&rft.pages=25-63&rft.date=2004-08&rft_id=info:pmid/15288523&rft_id=info:doi/10.1016/j.jhevol.2004.05.005&rft_id=info:bibcode/2004JHumE..47...25B&rft.aulast=Burney&rft.aufirst=DA&rft.au=Burney,+LP&rft.au=Godfrey,+LR&rft.au=Jungers,+WL&rft.au=Goodman,+SM&rft.au=Wright,+HT&rft.au=Jull,+AJ&rfr_id=info:sid/en.wikipedia.org:Madagascar" class="Z3988">
43. ^ Kumar, Ann (2012). 'Dominion Over Palm and Pine: Early Indonesia's Maritime Reach', in Geoff Wade (ed.), Anthony Reid and the Study of the Southeast Asian Past (Singapore: Institute of Southeast Asian Studies), 101–122.
44. ^ a b Cox, Murray P.; Nelson, Michael G.; Tumonggor, Meryanne K.; Ricaut, François-X.; Sudoyo, Herawati (2012). "A small cohort of Island Southeast Asian women founded Madagascar". Proceedings of the Royal Society B: Biological Sciences. 279 (1739): 2761–2768\. doi:10.1098/rspb.2012.0012. PMC 3367776. PMID 22438500.
45. ^ "Ancient bird bones redate human activity in Madagascar by 6,000 years". Zoological Society of London (ZSL). 10 September 2018.
46. ^ "Ancient bird bones redate human activity in Madagascar by 6,000 years". Phys.org. 12 September 2018.
47. ^ Gommery, D.; Ramanivosoa, B.; Faure, M.; Guérin, C.; Kerloc'h, P.; Sénégas, F.; Randrianantenaina, H. (2011). "Oldest evidence of human activities in Madagascar on subfossil hippopotamus bones from Anjohibe (Mahajanga Province)". Comptes Rendus Palevol. 10 (4): 271–278\. doi:10.1016/j.crpv.2011.01.006.
48. ^ Dewar, R. E.; Radimilahy, C.; Wright, H. T.; Jacobs, Z.; Kelly, G. O.; Berna, F. (2013). "Stone tools and foraging in northern Madagascar challenge Holocene extinction models". Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America. 110 (31): 12583–12588\. Bibcode:2013PNAS..11012583D. doi:10.1073/pnas.1306100110. PMC 3732966. PMID 23858456.
49. ^ Peter Forster, Shuichi Matsumutra, Matthieu Vizuete-Forster, Petya Belinda Blumbach & Robert Dewar (2008) "The Genetic Prehistory of Madagascar's Female Asian Lineages", In: Matsumura, Shūichi; Forster, Peter; Renfrew, Colin (2008). Simulations, Genetics and Human Prehistory. McDonald Institute for Archaeological Research. ISBN 978-1-902937-45-8., pp71-72
50. ^ "Human expansion 1,000 years ago linked to Madagascar's loss of large vertebrates". ScienceDaily. 4 November 2022. Archived from the original on 6 November 2022. Retrieved 6 November 2022.
51. ^ Virah-Sawmy, M.; Willis, K. J.; Gillson, L. (2010). "Evidence for drought and forest declines during the recent megafaunal extinctions in Madagascar". Journal of Biogeography. 37 (3): 506–519\. Bibcode:2010JBiog..37..506V. doi:10.1111/j.1365-2699.2009.02203.x. S2CID 84382916.
52. ^ a b c Campbell, Gwyn (1993). "The Structure of Trade in Madagascar, 1750–1810". The International Journal of African Historical Studies. 26 (1): 111–148\. doi:10.2307/219188. JSTOR 219188.
53. ^ Wink (2004), p. 185
54. ^ Pierron, Denis; Heiske, Margit; Razafindrazaka, Harilanto; Rakoto, Ignace; Rabetokotany, Nelly; Ravololomanga, Bodo; Rakotozafy, Lucien M.-A.; Rakotomalala, Mireille Mialy; Razafiarivony, Michel; Rasoarifetra, Bako; Raharijesy, Miakabola Andriamampianina (8 August 2017). "Genomic landscape of human diversity across Madagascar". Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. 114 (32): E6498 – E6506. Bibcode:2017PNAS..114E6498P. doi:10.1073/pnas.1704906114. ISSN 0027-8424. PMC 5559028. PMID 28716916.
55. ^ Magnier, Jessica (2022). "The genetic history of Mayotte and Madagascar cattle breeds mirrors the complex pattern of human exchanges in Western Indian Ocean". G3: Genes, Genomes, Genetics. 12 (4). doi:10.1093/g3journal/jkac029. PMC 8982424. PMID 35137043.
56. ^ a b c Gade, Daniel W. (1996). "Deforestation and its effects in Highland Madagascar". Mountain Research and Development. 16 (2): 101–116\. doi:10.2307/3674005. JSTOR 3674005.
57. ^ a b Domenichini, J.P. "Antehiroka et Royauté Vazimba". Express de Madagascar (in French). Madatana.com. Archived from the original on 14 July 2011. Retrieved 5 November 2010.
58. ^ Razafimahazo, S. (2011). "Vazimba: Mythe ou Realité?". Revue de l'Océan Indien (in French). Madatana.com. Archived from the original on 14 July 2011. Retrieved 8 November 2010.
59. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t Metz, Helen Chapin (1994). "Library of Congress Country Studies: Madagascar". Archived from the original on 9 November 2005. Retrieved 1 February 2011.
60. ^ Grandidier, Alfred, and Guillaume Grandidier. Collection des ouvrages anciens concernant Madagascar, vol. II, pp. 90–91. Paris, 1904.
61. ^ Barbié du Bocage, V. A. Madagascar, possession française depuis 1642, pp. 66–67, 85. Paris: Arthus Bertrand, Libraire de la Société de Géographie, 21 rue Hautefeuille.
62. ^ Gérard Naal, Abrégé d'histoire de Madagascar, L'Harmattan, 2015, p. 20
63. ^ Hubert Deschamps, Histoire de Madagascar, p. 63
64. ^ Malotet, Arthur. Étienne de Flacourt, ou Les Origines de la Colonisation Française à Madagascar (1648–1661). Paris: 1898, p. 15.
65. ^ Bulletin trimestriel – Société languedocienne de géographie, vol. 14, 1891, p. 620.
66. ^ La Vaissière, Camille de. Histoire de Madagascar: ses habitants et ses missionnaires, vol. 1, 1884, pp. 1–7.
67. ^ The North British Review, Volumes 6 and 7, 1847, page 76.
68. ^ Tyson, Peter. Madagascar: The Eighth Continent – Life, Death and Discovery in a Lost World. Chalfont St Peter: Bradt Travel Guides, 2013, pp. 43–44, 87.
69. ^ Royal Anthropological Institute. The Journal of the Royal Anthropological Institute, vol. 12, 1882, p. 482.
70. ^ The New American Cyclopaedia: A Popular Dictionary of General Knowledge, vol. 11, 1858, p. 27.
71. ^ Revue, vol. 5, Toulouse: Société de géographie de Toulouse, 1886, pp. 64–68.
72. ^ Thieffry, Marc. Saint Vincent de Paul et la mission lazariste à Madagascar au XVIIe siècle, 2018, pp. 11–12.
73. ^ Vray, C. Mes campagnes par une femme : autour de Madagascar, 1897, pp. 217–218.
74. ^ Gautier, É.F., Rouire, A.M.F., Jully, A. and Combes, P., 1895. Guide pratique du colon et du soldat à Madagascar, pp. 35–37.
75. ^ Dickens, Charles (1851). Household Words. Vol. 3\. Bradbury & Evans. p. 129.
76. ^ Pridham, Charles (1849). England's Colonial Empire: An Historical, Political and Statistical Account of the Empire; Its Colonies and Dependencies. Volume 1: The Mauritius and Its Dependencies. Thomas and William Boone. p. 341.
77. ^ Goodrich, Samuel G. (1844). Lights and Shadows of African History. Boston: Bradbury, Soden & Co. pp. 318–321. This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain.
78. ^ "Kingdoms of Madagascar: Maroserana and Merina". Metmuseum.org. October 2003. Archived from the original on 24 June 2011. Retrieved 25 April 2010.
79. ^ a b Ogot (1992), p. 418
80. ^ The Army and Navy Magazine. Vol. 5\. 1885. p. 183.
81. ^ Notes, reconnaissances et explorations. Colonie de Madagascar. Vol. 6\. Imprimerie Officielle. 1898. p. 588.
82. ^ Comptes rendus de la 18ème session. Vol. 18\. 1890. p. 854.
83. ^ Séances et travaux de l'Académie des Sciences Morales et Politiques (in French). Vol. 125\. 1886. p. 783.
84. ^ Jules Lefebvre, ed. (1895). Revue universelle: recueil documentaire universel et illustré. p. 115.
85. ^ Lafayette, Marie Joseph Paul Yves Roch Gilbert du Motier; Lafayette, Georges Washington Louis Gilbert du Motier (1837). Mémoires, correspondances et manuscrits du Général Lafayette. Vol. 1\. p. 467.
86. ^ Michaud, Louis Gabriel (1843). Biographie universelle, ancienne et moderne. Supplément : Mar - Met. Vol. 73\. Michaud frères. p. 359.
87. ^ Hodder (1982), p. 59
88. ^ "Royal Hill of Ambohimanga". UNESCO. Archived from the original on 29 June 2011. Retrieved 30 April 2011.
89. ^ Ade Ajayi (1998), pp. 413–422
90. ^ Campbell, Gwyn (October 1991). "The state and pre-colonial demographic history: the case of nineteenth-century Madagascar". Journal of African History. 23 (3): 415–445\. doi:10.1017/S0021853700031534.
91. ^ Campbell, Gwyn (October 1991). "The state and pre-colonial demographic history: the case of nineteenth century Madagascar". Journal of African History. 23 (3): 415–445\. doi:10.1017/S0021853700031534.
92. ^ Oliver (1886), pp. 124–126
93. ^ Uwechue (1981), p. 473
94. ^ a b Thompson & Adloff (1965), pp. 9–10
95. ^ a b c Fage, Flint & Oliver (1986), pp. 522–524
96. ^ Van Den Boogaerde (2008), p. 7
97. ^ Randier (2006), p. 400
98. ^ Curtin (1998), p. 186
99. ^ Galli, Henri (1897). La guerre à Madagascar: Histoire anecdotique des expéditions françaises de 1885 à 1895 (in French). Vol. 2\. E. Flammarion. p. 308.
100. ^ Oliver, Fage & Sanderson (1985), p. 532
101. ^ Campbell, Gwyn (1991). "The Menalamba Revolt and Brigandry in Imperial Madagascar, 1820-1897". The International Journal of African Historical Studies. 24 (2): 259–291\. doi:10.2307/219791. ISSN 0361-7882. JSTOR 219791. Archived from the original on 1 October 2023. Retrieved 6 June 2024.
102. ^ a b Jacques Tronchon. L'insurrection malgache de 1947. Essai d'interprétation historique, p 35–45
103. ^ Campbell (2005), p. 107
104. ^ Shillington (2005), p. 878
105. ^ Regnier (2015), pp. 152–154
106. ^ Fournet-Guérin (2007), pp. 45–54
107. ^ Frémigacci (1999), pp. 421–444
108. ^ Gallieni (1908), pp. 341–343
109. ^ Hannibal, Travis (2013). Genocide, Ethnonationalism, and the United Nations: Exploring the Causes of Mass Killing Since 1945. Routledge. p. 138\. ISBN 9780415531252. Archived from the original on 24 June 2021. Retrieved 23 June 2021.
110. ^ Reinsch (1905), p. 377
111. ^ Browning (2004), pp. 81–89
112. ^ Kennedy (2007), pp. 511–512
113. ^ Lehoullier (2010), p. 107
114. ^ a b Kitchen (1962), p. 256
115. ^ Pryor (1990), pp. 209–210
116. ^ "Élection présidentielle à Madagascar: les Ratsiraka, une famille divisée". L'Écho du Sud (in French). Archived from the original on 26 August 2023. Retrieved 26 August 2023.
117. ^ a b c Marcus, Richard (August 2004). "Political change in Madagascar: populist democracy or neopatrimonialism by another name?". Occasional Paper No. 89. Institute for Security Studies. Archived from the original on 7 September 2004. Retrieved 15 February 2012.
118. ^ a b "Madagascar: La Crise a un Tournant Critique?". International Crisis Group (in French). Archived from the original on 25 July 2011. Retrieved 25 November 2010.
119. ^ Ratsimbaharison, Adrien (2017). The Political Crisis of March 2009 in Madagascar: A Case Study of Conflict and Conflict Mediation. Lanham, Boulder, New York, London: Rowman & Littlefield. ISBN 978-1-4422-7235-4.
120. ^ "Centre d'actualités de l'ONU – Madagascar : l'ONU salue le bon déroulement du deuxième tour des élections présidentielles". Un.org. 20 December 2013. Archived from the original on 3 July 2017. Retrieved 28 June 2017.
121. ^ "All you need to know about high-stakes Madagascar poll". Archived from the original on 30 March 2021. Retrieved 30 March 2021.
122. ^ "Madagascar court declares Rajoelina as election winner". Archived from the original on 21 January 2021. Retrieved 30 March 2021.
123. ^ "Madagascar: Ravalomanana challenges results in court, Rajoelina calls for calm". 28 December 2018. Archived from the original on 8 November 2020. Retrieved 30 March 2021.
124. ^ "Madagascar President assured of winning majority seats in parliament". 15 June 2019. Archived from the original on 30 October 2020. Retrieved 30 March 2021.
125. ^ Januta, Andrea (1 December 2021). "Madagascar food crisis caused more by poverty, natural weather than climate change – study". Reuters. Archived from the original on 25 January 2022. Retrieved 25 January 2022.
126. ^ "Andry Rajoelina: Madagascar president re-elected in contested poll". BBC News. 25 November 2023. Archived from the original on 5 December 2023. Retrieved 26 November 2023.
127. ^ a b Central Intelligence Agency (2011). "Madagascar". The World Factbook. Archived from the original on 14 February 2021. Retrieved 24 August 2011.
128. ^ Moriarty (1891), pp. 1–2
129. ^ Reeves, Colin V. (February 2018). "The development of the East African margin during Jurassic and Lower Cretaceous times: a perspective from global tectonics". Petroleum Geoscience. 24 (1): 41–56\. Bibcode:2018PetGe..24...41R. doi:10.1144/petgeo2017-021. ISSN 1354-0793. S2CID 133869410. Archived from the original on 3 March 2022. Retrieved 6 December 2021.
130. ^ Torsvik, T.H.; Tucker, R.D.; Ashwal, L.D.; Carter, L.M.; Jamtveit, B.; Vidyadharan, K.T.; Venkataramana, P. (October 2000). "Late Cretaceous India-Madagascar fit and timing of break-up related magmatism". Terra Nova. 12 (5): 220–224\. Bibcode:2000TeNov..12..220T. doi:10.1046/j.1365-3121.2000.00300.x. S2CID 128896193.
131. ^ a b c Vences M, Wollenberg KC, Vieites DR, Lees DC (June 2009). "Madagascar as a model region of species diversification" (PDF). Trends in Ecology and Evolution. 24 (8): 456–465\. Bibcode:2009TEcoE..24..456V. doi:10.1016/j.tree.2009.03.011. PMID 19500874. Archived (PDF) from the original on 9 May 2013. Retrieved 11 February 2012.
132. ^ a b c d e f Encyclopædia Britannica (2011). "Madagascar". Encyclopædia Britannica. Eb.com. Archived from the original on 19 December 2011. Retrieved 25 August 2011.
133. ^ a b International Federation of Red Cross And Red Crescent Societies (25 February 2005). "Madagascar: Cyclone Gafilo, Final Report, Appeal 08/04". ReliefWeb. Archived from the original on 30 August 2013. Retrieved 31 March 2011.
134. ^ Integrated Regional Information Networks (2 July 2004). "Madagascar: Saving the children from Gafilo's aftermath". ReliefWeb. Archived from the original on 26 February 2014. Retrieved 9 September 2012.
135. ^ "Southern Africa: Cyclone Season Flash Update No. 6 (Tropical Cyclone Batsirai) (13 February 2022) - Madagascar". ReliefWeb. 15 February 2022. Archived from the original on 15 February 2022. Retrieved 15 February 2022.
136. ^ Rabary, Lovasoa (6 February 2022). "Cyclone kills at least 10 in Madagascar, destroying homes and cutting power". Reuters. Archived from the original on 6 February 2022. Retrieved 7 February 2022.
137. ^ Laville, Sandra (13 July 2022). "Climate adaptation bill for African countries to dwarf health spending". The Guardian. Archived from the original on 12 September 2022. Retrieved 14 July 2022.
138. ^ a b c d e f Conservation International (2007). "Madagascar and the Indian Ocean Islands". Biodiversity Hotspots. Conservation International. Archived from the original on 24 August 2011. Retrieved 24 August 2011.
139. ^ Tattersall, Ian (2006). Origin of the Malagasy Strepshirhine Primates. Springer. pp. 1–6\. ISBN 978-0-387-34585-7. Archived from the original on 6 April 2017. Retrieved 14 October 2015.
140. ^ Hobbes & Dolan (2008), p. 517
141. ^ Hillstrom & Collier Hillstrom (2003), p. 50
142. ^ Dinerstein, Eric; et al. (2017). "An Ecoregion-Based Approach to Protecting Half the Terrestrial Realm". BioScience. 67 (6): 534–545\. doi:10.1093/biosci/bix014. ISSN 0006-3568. PMC 5451287. PMID 28608869.
143. ^ a b Callmander, Martin; et al. (2011). "The endemic and non-endemic vascular flora of Madagascar updated" (PDF). Plant Ecology and Evolution. 144 (2): 121–125\. Bibcode:2011PlEcE.144..121C. doi:10.5091/plecevo.2011.513. Archived (PDF) from the original on 31 August 2013. Retrieved 11 February 2012.
144. ^ Lavranos, John (2004). "Pachypodium makayense: A New Species From Madagascar". Cactus and Succulent Journal. 76 (2): 85–88.
145. ^ a b Bradt (2011), p. 38
146. ^ Baum DA, Small RL, Wendel JF (1998). "Biogeography and floral evolution of baobabs (Adansonia, Bombacaceae) as inferred from multiple data sets". Systematic Biology. 47 (2): 181–207\. doi:10.1080/106351598260879. PMID 12064226.
147. ^ a b Keglevich, Péter; Hazai, Laszlo; Kalaus, György; Szántay, Csaba (2012). "Modifications on the basic skeletons of vinblastine and vincristine". Molecules. 17 (5): 5893–5914\. doi:10.3390/molecules17055893. PMC 6268133. PMID 22609781.
148. ^ Sears, Justin E.; Boger, Dale L. (2015). "Total Synthesis of Vinblastine, Related Natural Products, and Key Analogues and Development of Inspired Methodology Suitable for the Systematic Study of Their Structure-Function Properties". Accounts of Chemical Research. 48 (3): 653–662\. doi:10.1021/ar500400w. PMC 4363169. PMID 25586069.
149. ^ Kuboyama, Takeshi; Yokoshima, Satoshi; Tokuyama, Hidetoshi; Fukuyama, Tohru (2004). "Stereocontrolled total synthesis of (+)-vincristine". Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America. 101 (33): 11966–11970\. Bibcode:2004PNAS..10111966K. doi:10.1073/pnas.0401323101. PMC 514417. PMID 15141084.
150. ^ van der Heijden, Robert; Jacobs, Denise I.; Snoeijer, Wim; Hallard, Didier; Verpoorte, Robert (2004). "The Catharanthus alkaloids: Pharmacognosy and biotechnology". Current Medicinal Chemistry. 11 (5): 607–628\. doi:10.2174/0929867043455846. PMID 15032608.
151. ^ Raviña, Enrique (2011). "Vinca alkaloids". The evolution of drug discovery: From traditional medicines to modern drugs. John Wiley & Sons. pp. 157–159\. ISBN 9783527326693. Archived from the original on 16 December 2019. Retrieved 4 September 2017.
152. ^ "Chemotherapy for Hodgkin Lymphoma". cancer.org. American Cancer Society. 29 March 2017. Archived from the original on 29 August 2017. Retrieved 22 June 2017.
"Chemotherapy for Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma". cancer.org. American Cancer Society. 31 May 2016. Archived from the original on 29 August 2017. Retrieved 22 June 2017.
153. ^ "Chemotherapy for Acute Lymphocytic Leukemia". cancer.org. American Cancer Society. 18 February 2016. Archived from the original on 29 August 2017. Retrieved 22 June 2017.
"Chemotherapy for Chronic Myeloid Leukemia". cancer.org. American Cancer Society. 22 February 2016. Archived from the original on 29 August 2017. Retrieved 22 June 2017.
"Chemotherapy for Childhood Leukemia". cancer.org. American Cancer Society. 3 February 2016. Archived from the original on 29 August 2017. Retrieved 22 June 2017.
154. ^ "Chemotherapy for Neuroblastoma". cancer.org. American Cancer Society. 22 January 2016. Archived from the original on 29 August 2017. Retrieved 22 June 2017.
"Chemotherapy for Brain and Spinal Cord Tumors in Children". cancer.org. American Cancer Society. 21 January 2016. Archived from the original on 29 August 2017. Retrieved 22 June 2017.
"Chemotherapy for Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer". cancer.org. American Cancer Society. 16 May 2016. Archived from the original on 29 August 2017. Retrieved 22 June 2017.
"Chemotherapy for Testicular Cancer". cancer.org. American Cancer Society. 12 February 2016. Archived from the original on 28 July 2017. Retrieved 22 June 2017.
155. ^ Foster, Steven (2010). "From Herbs to Medicines: The Madagascar Periwinkle's Impact on Childhood Leukemia: A Serendipitous Discovery for Treatment". Alternative and Complementary Therapies. 16 (6): 347–350\. doi:10.1089/act.2010.16609. PMID 20423206.
156. ^ Cooper, Raymond; Deakin, Jeffrey John (2016). "Africa's gift to the world". Botanical Miracles: Chemistry of Plants That Changed the World. CRC Press. pp. 46–51\. ISBN 9781498704304. Archived from the original on 21 May 2020. Retrieved 4 September 2017.
157. ^ Ellis (1859), p. 302
158. ^ McLendon, Chuck (16 May 2000). "Ravenala madagascariensis". Floridata.com. Archived from the original on 7 March 2011. Retrieved 14 September 2009.
159. ^ Lambahoany Ecotourism Centre (24 August 2011). "Nature of Madagascar". Lambahoany Ecotourism Centre. Archived from the original on 13 December 2011. Retrieved 24 August 2011.
160. ^ Mittermeier, R.A.; Wallis, J.; Rylands, A.B.; Ganzhorn, J.U.; Oates, J.F.; Williamson, E.A.; Palacios, E.; Heymann, E.W.; Kierulff, M.C.M.; Yongcheng, Long; Supriatna, J.; Roos, C.; Walker, S.; Cortés-Ortiz, L.; Schwitzer, C., eds. (2009). "Primates in Peril: The World's 25 Most Endangered Primates 2008–2010" (PDF). Illustrated by S.D. Nash. IUCN/SSC Primate Specialist Group, International Primatological Society, and Conservation International. pp. 1–92\. Archived (PDF) from the original on 1 February 2014. Retrieved 27 August 2012.
161. ^ Black, Richard (13 July 2012). "Lemurs sliding toward extinction". BBC News. Archived from the original on 29 July 2012. Retrieved 26 August 2012.
162. ^ Mittermeier, R.; Ganzhorn, J.; Konstant, W.; Glander, K.; Tattersall, I.; Groves, C.; Rylands, A.; Hapke, A.; Ratsimbazafy, J.; Mayor, M.; Louis, E.; Rumpler, Y.; Schwitzer, C.; Rasoloarison, R. (December 2008). "Lemur diversity in Madagascar". International Journal of Primatology. 29 (6): 1607–1656\. doi:10.1007/s10764-008-9317-y. hdl:10161/6237. S2CID 17614597. Archived from the original (PDF) on 15 February 2021. Retrieved 24 September 2019.
163. ^ Jungers, W.L.; Godfrey, L.R.; Simons, E.L.; Chatrath, P.S. (1997). "Phalangeal curvature and positional behaviour in extinct sloth lemurs (Primates, Palaeopropithecidae)". Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences USA. 94 (22): 11998–2001\. Bibcode:1997PNAS...9411998J. doi:10.1073/pnas.94.22.11998. PMC 23681. PMID 11038588.
164. ^ a b Okajima Y, Kumazawa Y (2009). "Mitogenomic perspectives into iguanid phylogeny and biogeography: Gondwanan vicariance for the origin of Madagascan oplurines". Gene. 441 (1–2): 28–35\. doi:10.1016/j.gene.2008.06.011. PMID 18598742.1–2&rft.pages=28-35&rft.date=2009&rft_id=info:doi/10.1016/j.gene.2008.06.011&rft_id=info:pmid/18598742&rft.aulast=Okajima&rft.aufirst=Y&rft.au=Kumazawa,+Y&rfr_id=info:sid/en.wikipedia.org:Madagascar" class="Z3988">
165. ^ Glaw, F.; Köhler, J. R.; Townsend, T. M.; Vences, M. (2012). Salamin, Nicolas (ed.). "Rivaling the World's Smallest Reptiles: Discovery of Miniaturized and Microendemic New Species of Leaf Chameleons (Brookesia) from Northern Madagascar". PLOS ONE. 7 (2): e31314. Bibcode:2012PLoSO...731314G. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0031314. PMC 3279364. PMID 22348069.
166. ^ "Everglades, Madagascar Rain Forest on UNESCO List". ABC News. 30 July 2010. Archived from the original on 11 May 2011. Retrieved 11 February 2011.
167. ^ World Wildlife Fund, ed. (2001). "Madagascar subhumid forests". WildWorld Ecoregion Profile. National Geographic Society. Archived from the original on 8 March 2010. Retrieved 30 April 2006.
168. ^ Kull (2004), p. 153
169. ^ Campbell, Gwyn (1993). "The Structure of Trade in Madagascar, 1750–1810". The International Journal of African Historical Studies. 26 (1): 111–148\. doi:10.2307/219188. JSTOR 219188.
170. ^ Emoff (2004), pp. 51–62
171. ^ Harper, Grady J.; Steininger, Marc; Tucker, Compton; Juhn, Daniel; Hawkins, Frank (2007). "Fifty years of deforestation and forest fragmentation in Madagascar". Environmental Conservation. 34 (4): 325–333\. doi:10.1017/S0376892907004262. S2CID 86120326.
172. ^ a b c d e f g Bachelard, Jerome; Marcus, Richard (2011). "Countries at the Crossroads 2011: Madagascar" (PDF). Freedom House. Archived (PDF) from the original on 8 June 2012. Retrieved 25 August 2012.
173. ^ Morelle, Rebecca (29 May 2014). "Asian relative of cane toad threatens Madagascar havoc". BBC News. Archived from the original on 10 July 2014. Retrieved 29 July 2014.
174. ^ Davies (2003), pp. 99–101
175. ^ Handwerk, Brian (21 August 2009). "Lemurs Hunted, Eaten Amid Civil Unrest, Group Says". National Geographic News. Archived from the original on 10 May 2011. Retrieved 15 March 2011.
176. ^ Weston, Phoebe (10 January 2023). "Madagascar's unique wildlife faces imminent wave of extinction, say scientists". The Guardian. Archived from the original on 18 May 2024. Retrieved 16 January 2023.
177. ^ Madagascar National Parks (2011). "The Conservation". parcs-madagascar.com. Archived from the original on 31 July 2011. Retrieved 25 August 2011.
178. ^ "Rainforests of the Atsinanana". UNESCO. Archived from the original on 3 September 2011. Retrieved 30 April 2011.
179. ^ Bearak, Barry (24 May 2010). "Shaky Rule in Madagascar Threatens Trees". New York Times. Archived from the original on 6 September 2012. Retrieved 20 March 2011.
180. ^ "Liste des institutions gouvernementales de Madagascar (août 2021)". mofcom.gov.cn. Archived from the original on 13 October 2021. Retrieved 13 October 2021.
181. ^ a b c Nalla (2010), pp. 122–128
182. ^ a b c d "Madagascar Profile: Media". BBC News. 20 June 2012. Archived from the original on 16 August 2012. Retrieved 25 August 2012.
183. ^ "Population of Cities in Madagascar (2017)". worldpopulationreview.com. Archived from the original on 15 October 2019. Retrieved 27 February 2017.
184. ^ "MADAGASCAR: Former president sentenced to five years in prison". Irinnews.org. 17 December 2003. Archived from the original on 13 June 2011. Retrieved 25 April 2010.
185. ^ "Madagascar: Appeal launched despite political uncertainty". Irinnews.org. 7 April 2009. Archived from the original on 13 June 2011. Retrieved 25 April 2010.
186. ^ a b Leithead, Alastair (14 May 2002). "Ethnic strife rocks Madagascar". BBC News. Archived from the original on 26 March 2012. Retrieved 22 January 2012.
187. ^ "Pressure grows on Madagascar coup". BBC News. 20 March 2009. Archived from the original on 29 June 2011. Retrieved 30 March 2009.
188. ^ "Numéros utiles" (in French). AirMadagascar.com. 28 January 2012. Archived from the original on 26 December 2011. Retrieved 28 January 2012.
189. ^ a b c Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor (8 April 2011). "2010 Human Rights Report: Madagascar" (PDF). U.S. Department of State. Archived (PDF) from the original on 20 March 2020. Retrieved 10 July 2011.
190. ^ "Madagascar: Media Under Attack One Month After New President Installed, allafrica.com". Archived from the original on 13 October 2012. Retrieved 2 May 2020.
191. ^ "Madagascar journalist Arphine Helisoa jailed on false news, incitement allegation". Committee to Protect Journalists. 22 April 2020. Archived from the original on 1 May 2020. Retrieved 2 May 2020.
192. ^ Barendse (2002), pp. 259–274
193. ^ Freeman & Johns (1840), p. 25
194. ^ Chapus & Mondain (1953), p. 377
195. ^ "The Military Balance 2010" (PDF). International Institute of Strategic Studies. pp. 314–315, 467. Archived from the original (PDF) on 11 May 2011. Retrieved 1 April 2011.
196. ^ Sharp (2002), p. 87
197. ^ Strakes (2006), p. 86
198. ^ a b c d e f "Presentation des resultats de la cartographie numerique en preparation du troisieme recensement generale de la population et de l'habitation" (PDF) (Press release) (in French). Institut nationale de la statistique (INSTAT), Government of Madagascar. 2010. Archived from the original (PDF) on 26 January 2012. Retrieved 15 January 2012.
199. ^ "Troisieme Recensement General de la Population et de L'Habitation (RGPH-3) Resultats Provisoires" (PDF). Institut National de la Statistique Madagascar. Retrieved 23 May 2020.
200. ^ "United Nations Member States | Meetings Coverage and Press Releases". www.un.org. Archived from the original on 5 March 2016. Retrieved 2 February 2017.
201. ^ United Nations (31 January 2017). "UN Mission's Contributions by Country" (PDF). www.un.org. Archived (PDF) from the original on 23 February 2017. Retrieved 27 February 2017.
202. ^ a b "Madagascar Country Programme (2015–2019) | World Food Programme". www1.wfp.org. Archived from the original on 22 February 2017. Retrieved 22 February 2017.
203. ^ "Chapter XXVI: Disarmament – No. 9 Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons". United Nations Treaty Collection. 7 July 2017. Archived from the original on 6 August 2019. Retrieved 16 August 2019.
204. ^ "World Bank". Archived from the original on 29 October 2019. Retrieved 27 February 2017.
205. ^ "World Development Indicators – Google Public Data Explorer". www.google.com. Archived from the original on 29 October 2019. Retrieved 22 February 2017.
206. ^ "Madagascar at a glance" (PDF). World Bank. 25 February 2011. Archived from the original (PDF) on 13 March 2012. Retrieved 4 February 2012.
207. ^ "Madagascar Overview". www.worldbank.org. Archived from the original on 9 April 2020. Retrieved 22 February 2017.
208. ^ a b c AFDB, OECD, UNDP, UNECA (2011). "African Economic Outlook 2011: Madagascar" (PDF). AfricanEconomicOutlook.org. Archived from the original (PDF) on 9 November 2011. Retrieved 28 January 2012.
209. ^ "La filiere Peche". 27 January 2024. Archived from the original on 30 January 2024. Retrieved 30 January 2024.
210. ^ Christie, Iain; Crompton, Elizabeth (November 2003). "Republic of Madagascar: Tourism Sector Study" (PDF). Africa Region Working Paper No. 63. Antananarivo: World Bank. Archived (PDF) from the original on 10 February 2012. Retrieved 28 January 2012.
211. ^ "Madagascar: obiettivo 500mila visitatori nel 2018" [Madagascar: Targeting 500 Thousand Visitors in 2018]. Guida Viaggi (in Italian). 10 February 2017. Archived from the original on 8 August 2017.
212. ^ "Madagascar – GDP – real growth rate – Historical Data Graphs per Year". www.indexmundi.com. Archived from the original on 13 June 2018. Retrieved 16 June 2018.
213. ^ "Business news: Fmi, economia del Madagascar manifesta segnali "incoraggianti"". Agenzia Nova. Archived from the original on 28 March 2017. Retrieved 16 June 2018.
214. ^ "Madagascar – GDP – per capita (PPP) – Historical Data Graphs per Year". Archived from the original on 13 June 2018. Retrieved 24 November 2018.
215. ^ "Madagascar – Unemployment rate – Historical Data Graphs per Year". indexmundi.com. Archived from the original on 13 June 2018. Retrieved 16 June 2018.
216. ^ "Madagascar – Labor force – Historical Data Graphs per Year". www.indexmundi.com. Archived from the original on 13 June 2018. Retrieved 16 June 2018.
217. ^ "Social policy and social protection". Archived from the original on 19 December 2021. Retrieved 19 December 2021.
218. ^ Rodd & Stackhouse (2008), p. 246
219. ^ "Madagascar Economic Statistics". Washington D.C.: International Trade Council. 2019. Retrieved 16 April 2020.[permanent dead link]
220. ^ United Nations (2013). "FAO Stat". Food and Agriculture Organization. Archived from the original on 13 July 2011. Retrieved 13 April 2013.
221. ^ Pilling, David (5 June 2018). "The real price of Madagascar's vanilla boom". Financial Times. Archived from the original on 20 September 2018. Retrieved 20 September 2018.
222. ^ Pezzotta (2001), p. 32
223. ^ a b "About QMM". Rio Tinto. 2009. Archived from the original on 2 July 2012. Retrieved 19 September 2012.
224. ^ "Metals – Ambatovy Joint Venture". Sherritt International Corporation. 2012. Archived from the original on 2 July 2012. Retrieved 19 September 2012.
225. ^ "Madagascar's oil fortunes evolving slowly". PennWell Corporation. 7 February 2012. Archived from the original on 8 February 2013. Retrieved 19 September 2012.
226. ^ "Madagascar's lychee growers in crisis as production plummets". RFI. 17 November 2024. Retrieved 20 January 2025.
227. ^ a b c Ashamu, Charlotte; Gomez-Pickering, Diego; Luke, Amanda; Morrison, Paul; Pedersen, Mark; Symes, Mara; Weyandt, Marthe (2005). "Made in Madagascar: Exporting Handicrafts to the U.S. Market: Final Report" (PDF). United Nations Public-Private Alliance for Rural Development. Archived from the original (PDF) on 20 March 2012. Retrieved 10 July 2011.
228. ^ "Aperçu de la coopération économique entre la Chine et Madagascar". mofcom.gov.cn. Archived from the original on 4 December 2019. Retrieved 30 November 2019.
229. ^ "Madagascar starts works on first motorway". Africanews. 5 December 2022. Archived from the original on 19 February 2023. Retrieved 19 February 2023.
230. ^ a b c d "Road projects to combat climate events in Madagascar". European Investment Bank. Archived from the original on 24 April 2023. Retrieved 24 April 2023.
231. ^ "Madagascar: Project to modernise the RN13 and RN6 national highways - €73.6 million disbursement from EIB and European Union". European Investment Bank. Archived from the original on 24 April 2023. Retrieved 24 April 2023.
232. ^ "High prices in Southern Madagascar limit poor households' food access | FEWS NET". fews.net. Archived from the original on 24 April 2023. Retrieved 24 April 2023.
233. ^ "Madagascar - COUNTRY ECONOMIC MEMORANDUM" (PDF). Archived (PDF) from the original on 24 April 2023. Retrieved 24 April 2023.
234. ^ "Production Electricité" (in French). Jirama. 2011. Archived from the original on 16 August 2013. Retrieved 28 August 2013.
235. ^ "The World Bank Connectivity for Rural Livelihood Improvement Project" (PDF). Archived (PDF) from the original on 24 April 2023. Retrieved 24 April 2023.
236. ^ "Madagascar Set to Expand Access to Renewable Energy and Digital Services thanks to $400 Million Credit". World Bank. Archived from the original on 24 April 2023. Retrieved 24 April 2023.
237. ^ "Digital 2022: Madagascar". DataReportal – Global Digital Insights. 16 February 2022. Retrieved 20 January 2025.
238. ^ "Madagascar", The World Factbook, Central Intelligence Agency, 7 August 2024, retrieved 8 September 2024
239. ^ a b c Division, United Nations Population. "By Location | Pivot Table | Data Portal". Population Division Data Portal. Retrieved 8 September 2024.
240. ^ Hurles ME, Sykes BC, Jobling MA, Forster P (2005). "The dual origin of the Malagasy in Island Southeast Asia and East Africa: evidence from maternal and paternal lineages". American Journal of Human Genetics. 76 (5): 894–901\. doi:10.1086/430051. PMC 1199379. PMID 15793703. Archived from the original on 3 March 2011. Retrieved 30 April 2011.
241. ^ Tofanelli S, Bertoncini S, Castrì L, Luiselli D, Calafell F, Donati G, Paoli G (2009). "On the origins and admixture of Malagasy: new evidence from high-resolution analyses of paternal and maternal lineages". Molecular Biology and Evolution. 26 (9): 2109–2124\. doi:10.1093/molbev/msp120. PMID 19535740.
242. ^ Adelaar (2006), pp. 205–235
243. ^ Madagascar City Population
244. ^ Rajaonarimanana (2001), p. 8
245. ^ Sambo, Clément; Gueunier, Noël Jacques (2001). Langages non conventionnels à Madagascar : argot des jeunes et proverbes gaillards (in French). Karthala. p. 304.
246. ^ Gueunier, Noël Jacques (2011). Contes comoriens en dialecte malgache de l'île de Mayotte : la quête de la sagesse (in French). L’Harmattan. p. 2.
247. ^ Otto Chr. Dahl, Malgache et Maanjan: une comparaison linguistique, Egede-Instituttet Avhandlinger, no. 3 (Oslo: Egede-Instituttet, 1951), p. 13.
248. ^ There are also some Sulawesi loanwords, which Adelaar attributes to contact prior to the migration to Madagascar: See K. Alexander Adelaar, "The Indonesian Migrations to Madagascar: Making Sense of the Multidisciplinary Evidence", in Truman Simanjuntak, Ingrid Harriet Eileen Pojoh and Muhammad Hisyam (eds.), Austronesian Diaspora and the Ethnogeneses of People in Indonesian Archipelago, (Jakarta: Indonesian Institute of Sciences, 2006), pp. 8–9.
249. ^ Øyvind, Dahl (19 June 2024). "Linguistic policy challenges in Madagascar" (PDF).
250. ^ "Haute Cour Constitutionnelle De Madagascar, Décision n°03-HCC/D2 Du 12 avril 2000" (in French). Saflii.org. 12 April 2000. Archived from the original on 27 July 2011. Retrieved 25 April 2010.
251. ^ "Madagascar: 2007 Constitutional referendum". Electoral Institute for the Sustainability of Democracy in Africa. June 2010. Archived from the original on 28 August 2008. Retrieved 22 January 2012.
252. ^ "Religions in Madagascar | PEW-GRF". Globalreligiousfutures.org. Archived from the original on 9 November 2019. Retrieved 20 September 2017.
253. ^ a b "National Profiles". Archived from the original on 27 December 2022. Retrieved 29 September 2022.
254. ^ a b Bearak, Barry (5 September 2010). "Dead Join the Living in a Family Celebration". New York Times. p. A7. Archived from the original on 27 January 2012. Retrieved 13 January 2012.
255. ^ "Madagascar". United States Department of State. Archived from the original on 29 September 2022. Retrieved 15 October 2022.
256. ^ Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor (2006). "International Religious Freedom Report: Madagascar". U.S. Department of State. Archived from the original on 23 January 2012. Retrieved 22 January 2012.
257. ^ a b Bradt (2011), pp. 13–20
258. ^ "Report of the High Level Committee on the Indian Diaspora" (PDF). Ministry of External Affairs, India. 2004. Archived from the original (PDF) on 29 June 2003. Retrieved 22 January 2012.
259. ^ FACES OF AFRICA: The Jews of Madagascar, 27 February 2017, archived from the original on 13 January 2024, retrieved 13 January 2024
260. ^ Legrip-Randriambelo, Olivia; Regnier, Denis (2014). "The place of healers-diviners (ombiasa) in Betsileo medical pluralism". Health, Culture and Society. 7 (1): 28–37\. doi:10.5195/hcs.2014.188. Archived from the original on 29 August 2016. Retrieved 21 July 2016.
261. ^ a b c d World Health Statistics 2011 (PDF). Paris: World Health Organization. 2011. ISBN 978-92-4-156419-9. Archived (PDF) from the original on 25 November 2011. Retrieved 21 January 2012.
262. ^ "The State of the World's Midwifery". United Nations Population Fund. August 2011. Archived from the original on 25 December 2011. Retrieved 22 January 2012.
263. ^ Beaumont, Peter (19 October 2017). "'It is a dangerous moment': Madagascar plague death toll reaches 74". The Guardian. Archived from the original on 19 May 2020. Retrieved 21 October 2017.
264. ^ WFP Madagascar Country Brief (Report). World Food Programme. February 2021. Archived from the original on 30 March 2021. Retrieved 23 March 2021.
265. ^ "Madagascar: Severe drought could spur world's first climate change famine". UN News. 21 October 2021. Archived from the original on 8 February 2022. Retrieved 9 February 2022.
266. ^ "How climate change is turning once green Madagascar into a desert". Euronews. 20 March 2022. Archived from the original on 23 October 2022. Retrieved 23 October 2022.
267. ^ Ralibera (1993), p. 196
268. ^ Ranaivoson, Samuel (1980). "La formation du personnel enseignant de l'éducation de base à Madagascar: Une etude de cas. Quelques reflections intéressant la programmation de l'assistance de l'UNICEF" (PDF). UNESCO (in French). Paris. Archived (PDF) from the original on 4 June 2012. Retrieved 10 July 2011.
269. ^ Mukonoweshuro, E.G. (1990). "State "resilience" and chronic political instability in Madagascar". Canadian Journal of African Studies. 24 (3): 376–398\. doi:10.2307/485627. JSTOR 485627.
270. ^ a b c Lassibille, Gerard; Tan, Jee-Peng; Jesse, Cornelia; Nguyen, Trang Van (6 August 2010). "Managing for results in primary education in Madagascar: Evaluating the impact of selected workflow interventions". The World Bank Economic Review. 24 (2): 303–329\. doi:10.1093/wber/lhq009. hdl:10986/4523. Archived from the original on 11 February 2012. Retrieved 10 February 2012.
271. ^ Ministère de l'Education Secondaire et l'Education de Base (2005). Curriculum de formation des élèves-maîtres (in French). Antananarivo, Madagascar: Government Printing Office.
272. ^ Middleton (1999), pp. 259–262, 272, 309
273. ^ Ames (2003), p. 101
274. ^ Blench, Roger (1982). "Evidence for the Indonesian origins of certain elements of African culture". African Music. 6 (2): 81–93\. doi:10.21504/amj.v6i2.1118. JSTOR 30249759.
275. ^ Kus, Susan; Raharijaona, Victor (2000). "House to Palace, Village to State: Scaling up Architecture and Ideology". American Anthropologist. New Series. 1 (102): 98–113\. doi:10.1525/aa.2000.102.1.98.
276. ^ Acquier (1997), pp. 143–175
277. ^ Kusimba, Odland & Bronson (2004), p. 12
278. ^ a b Bradt (2011), p. 312
279. ^ Fox (1990), p. 39
280. ^ Ravalitera, P. "Origine Confuse des Vazimba du Betsiriry". Journal Express (in French). Madatana.com. Archived from the original on 14 July 2011. Retrieved 11 November 2010.
281. ^ Unknown. "Ibonia: the text in 17 sections". University of Virginia. Archived from the original on 5 June 2011. Retrieved 15 November 2010.
282. ^ Rabearivelo (2007), p. x
283. ^ Auzias & Labourdette (2007), p. 142
284. ^ Randrianary (2001), pp. 109–137
285. ^ a b Heale & Abdul Latif (2008), pp. 108–111
286. ^ "Woodcrafting Knowledge of the Zafimaniry". UNESCO. Archived from the original on 23 October 2012. Retrieved 24 August 2012.
287. ^ "Is Antananarivo, the capital of Madagascar, Africa's newest art hub?". theartnewspaper.com. 4 May 2023. Archived from the original on 12 June 2023. Retrieved 9 July 2023.
288. ^ "Des nouveaux talents mis en relief". L'Express de Madagascar (in French). l'expressmada.com. 7 August 2009. Archived from the original on 9 May 2013. Retrieved 24 August 2012.
289. ^ Ratsimbazafy (2010), pp. 14–18
290. ^ Kusimba, Odland & Bronson (2004), p. 87
291. ^ City of Antananarivo. "Antananarivo: Histoire de la commune" (in French). Archived from the original on 23 February 2010. Retrieved 2 August 2010.
292. ^ "Madagascar take Sevens honours". International Rugby Board. 23 August 2007. Archived from the original on 24 October 2012. Retrieved 24 July 2012.
293. ^ Vegar, Ness (4 October 1999). "Madagascar won the World Championship". petanque.org. Archived from the original on 17 March 2011. Retrieved 14 January 2011.
294. ^ "Triennal review: Census as of 1 December 2010" (PDF). World Organization of the Scout Movement. 1 December 2010. Archived from the original (PDF) on 8 May 2012. Retrieved 13 January 2011.
295. ^ 2011 FIBA Africa Championship Archived 28 August 2011 at the Wayback Machine, FIBA.com, Retrieved 26 October 2015.
296. ^ 2009 FIBA Africa Championship for Women Archived 8 February 2015 at the Wayback Machine, FIBA.com, Retrieved 26 October 2015.
297. ^ 2014 FIBA Africa Under-18 Championship Archived 12 August 2014 at the Wayback Machine, FIBA.com, Retrieved 26 October 2015.
298. ^ 2013 FIBA Africa Under-16 Championship Archived 21 October 2013 at the Wayback Machine, FIBA.com, Retrieved 26 October 2015.
299. ^ 2015 FIBA Africa Under-16 Championship for Women Archived 30 January 2016 at the Wayback Machine, FIBA.com, Retrieved 26 October 2015.
300. ^ "THB Pilsener". Brasseries Star (in French). 2015. Archived from the original on 5 June 2015. Retrieved 5 June 2015.
301. ^ Marsaud, Olivia (12 July 2008). "THB, star de la bière à Madagascar" (in French). Afrik.com. Archived from the original on 6 November 2018. Retrieved 5 June 2015.

## Bibliography

[edit]

* Acquier, Jean-Louis (1997). Architectures de Madagascar (in French). Berlin: Berger-Levrault. ISBN 978-2-7003-1169-3.
* Ade Ajayi, Jacob Festus (1989). General history of Africa: Africa in the nineteenth century until the 1880s. Paris: UNESCO. ISBN 978-0-520-03917-9. Archived from the original on 16 July 2020. Retrieved 14 October 2015.
* Adelaar, Alexander (2006). "The Indonesian migrations to Madagascar: Making sense of the multidisciplinary evidence". In Simanjuntak, Truman; Pojoh, Ingrid; Harriet Eileen; Hisyam, Muhamad (eds.). Austronesian diaspora and the ethnogeneses of people in Indonesian archipelago. Jakarta, Indonesia: LIPI Press. ISBN 978-979-26-2436-6. Archived from the original on 15 July 2020. Retrieved 14 October 2015.
* Ames, Glenn Joseph (2003). Distant lands and diverse cultures: the French experience in Asia, 1600–1700. New York: Greenwood Publishing Group. ISBN 978-0-313-30864-2.
* Auzias, Dominique; Labourdette, Jean-Paul (2008). Petit Futé: Madagascar 2008 (in French). Paris: Petit Futé. ISBN 978-2-7469-1982-2.
* Barendse, R.J. (2002). The Arabian seas: the Indian Ocean world of the seventeenth century. Berlin: M.E. Sharpe. ISBN 978-0-7656-0729-4. Archived from the original on 31 October 2015. Retrieved 14 October 2015.
* Bradt, Hilary (2011). Madagascar, 10th Ed.: The Bradt Travel Guide. London: Bradt Travel Guides. ISBN 978-1-84162-341-2. Archived from the original on 16 February 2017. Retrieved 14 October 2015.
* Browning, Christopher R. (2004). The Origins of the Final Solution. Jerusalem: Martyrs' and Heroes' Remembrance Authority. ISBN 978-3-540-63293-1. Archived from the original on 16 June 2016. Retrieved 14 October 2015.
* Campbell, Gwyn (2005). An economic history of Imperial Madagascar, 1750–1895: the rise and fall of an island empire. London: Cambridge University Press. ISBN 978-0-521-83935-8. Archived from the original on 19 March 2013. Retrieved 14 October 2015.
* Chapus, G.S.; Mondain, G. (1953). Un homme d'etat malgache: Rainilaiarivony (in French). Paris: Editions Diloutremer.
* Cousins, William Edward (1895). Madagascar of to-day: A sketch of the island, with chapters on its past history and present prospects. London: The Religious Tract Society.
* Curtin, Philip D. (1998). Disease and empire: the health of European troops in the conquest of Africa. Cambridge, MA: Cambridge University Press. ISBN 978-0-521-59835-4.
* Davies, S.J.J.F. (2003). "Birds I: Tinamous and Ratites to Hoatzins". In Hutchins, Michael (ed.). Grzimek's Animal Life Encyclopedia. Vol. 8 (2 ed.). Farmington Hills, MI: Gale Group. ISBN 978-0-7876-5784-0.
* Deschamps, Hubert Jules (1965). Histoire de Madagascar (in French). Ann Arbor, MI: Berger-Levrault.
* Ellis, William (1859). Three visits to Madagascar during ... 1853-1854-1856. London: Oxford University.
* William Ellis (1867). Madagascar revisited, describing the events of a new reign and the revolution which followed. John Murray. LCCN 08033801.
* William Ellis (1870). The martyr church: a narrative of the introduction, progress, and triumph of Christianity in Madagascar. J. Snow. LCCN 86159853.
* Emoff, Ron (2004). "Spitting into the wind: Multi-edged environmentalism in Malagasy song". In Dawe, Kevin (ed.). Island Musics. New York: Berg. ISBN 978-1-85973-703-3. Archived from the original on 15 July 2020. Retrieved 4 July 2020.
* Fage, J.D.; Flint, J.E.; Oliver, R.A. (1986). The Cambridge History of Africa: From c. 1790 to c. 1870. London: Cambridge University Press. ISBN 978-0-521-20413-2. Archived from the original on 15 July 2020. Retrieved 14 October 2015.
* Fournet-Guérin, Catherine (2007). Vivre à Tananarive: géographie du changement dans la capitale malgache (in French). Antananarivo, Madagascar: Karthala Editions. ISBN 978-2-84586-869-4. Archived from the original on 6 July 2020. Retrieved 14 October 2015.
* Fox, Leonard (1990). Hainteny: the traditional poetry of Madagascar. Lewisburg, PA: Bucknell University Press. ISBN 978-0-8387-5175-6.
* Freeman, Joseph John; Johns, David (1840). A narrative of the persecution of the Christians in Madagascar: with details of the escape of six Christian refugees now in England. London: J. Snow.
* Frémigacci, Jean (1999). "Le Rova de Tananarive: Destruction d'un lieu saint ou constitution d'une référence identitaire?". In Chrétien, Jean-Pierre (ed.). Histoire d'Afrique (in French). Paris: Editions Karthala. ISBN 978-2-86537-904-0.
* Gallieni, Joseph-Simon (1908). Neuf ans à Madagascar (in French). Paris: Librairie Hachette.
* Heale, Jay; Abdul Latif, Zawiah (2008). Cultures of the World: Madagascar. Tarrytown, NY: Marshall Cavendish. ISBN 978-0-7614-3036-0. Archived from the original on 12 March 2021. Retrieved 14 October 2015.
* Hillstrom, Kevin; Collier Hillstrom, Laurie (2003). Africa and the Middle East: a continental overview of environmental issues. Santa Barbara, CA: ABC-CLIO. ISBN 978-1-57607-688-0. Archived from the original on 15 July 2020. Retrieved 14 October 2015.
* Hobbes, Joseph; Dolan, Andrew (2008). World Regional Geography. Belmont, CA: Cengage Learning. ISBN 978-0-495-38950-7. Archived from the original on 6 July 2020. Retrieved 14 October 2015.
* Hodder, Ian (1982). Symbolic and structural archaeology. New York: Cambridge University Press. ISBN 978-0-521-24406-0. Archived from the original on 15 July 2020. Retrieved 14 October 2015.
* Kennedy, David (2007). The Library of Congress World War II companion. New York: Simon and Schuster. ISBN 978-0-7432-5219-5.
* Kent, Raymond (1976). From Madagascar to the Malagasy Republic. Ann Arbor, MI: Greenwood Press. ISBN 978-0-8371-8421-0.
* Kitchen, Helen A. (1962). The Educated African: a Country-by-Country Survey of Educational Development in Africa. Washington, D.C.: Praeger.
* Kull, Christian (2004). Isle of Fire: The Political Ecology of Landscape Burning in Madagascar, Issue 246. Chicago: University of Chicago Press. ISBN 978-0-226-46141-0.
* Kusimba, Chapurukha; Odland, J. Claire; Bronson, Bennet (2004). Unwrapping the textile traditions of Madagascar. Textile Series. Los Angeles: Regents of the University of California. ISBN 978-0-930741-95-2.
* Lehoullier, Sara (2010). Madagascar: Travel Companion. New York: Other Places Publishing. ISBN 978-0-9822619-5-8.
* Middleton, Karen (1999). Ancestors, Power, and History in Madagascar. Los Angeles: Brill. ISBN 978-90-04-11289-6.
* Moriarty, H.A. (1891). Islands in the southern Indian Ocean, westward of longitude 80 ̊east, including Madagascar. London: J. D. Potter. Archived from the original on 29 September 2020. Retrieved 14 October 2015.
* Nalla, Mahesh (2010). Crime and Punishment Around the World: Volume 1, Africa. Los Angeles: ABC-CLIO. ISBN 978-0-313-35133-4.
* Ogot, Bethwell (1992). Africa from the Sixteenth to the Eighteenth Century. Paris: UNESCO. ISBN 978-92-3-101711-7. Archived from the original on 15 July 2020. Retrieved 14 October 2015.
* Oliver, Roland; Fage, John Donnelly; Sanderson, G.N. (1983). "The Cambridge History of Africa". Journal of Arid Environments. 6 (2). Cambridge, U.K.: Cambridge University Press: 195. Bibcode:1983JArEn...6..195S. doi:10.1016/S0140-1963(18)31535-0. ISBN 978-0-521-22803-9.
* Oliver, Samuel Pasfield (1886). Madagascar: an historical and descriptive account of the island and its former dependencies, Volume 1. London: Macmillan. Archived from the original on 26 July 2020. Retrieved 14 October 2015.
* Pezzotta, Federico (2001). Madagascar: a mineral and gemstone paradise. Ann Arbor, MI: University of Michigan. ISBN 978-0-9715371-0-1.
* Pryor, Frederic L. (1990). The political economy of poverty, equity, and growth: Malawi and Madagascar. Washington, D.C.: World Bank. ISBN 978-0-19-520823-8. Archived from the original on 10 January 2020. Retrieved 14 October 2015.
* Rabearivelo, Jean-Joseph (2007) [1936 (translation by Robert Ziller)]. Translated from the Night. Pittsburgh, PA: Lascaux Editions. ISBN 978-1-60461-552-4. Archived from the original on 15 July 2020. Retrieved 14 October 2015.
* Rajaonarimanana, Narivelo (2001). Grammaire moderne de la langue malgache. Langues INALCO (in French). Paris: Langues et mondes – l'Asiatheque. ISBN 978-2-911053-79-5.
* Ralibera, Daniel (1993). Madagascar et le christianisme (in French). Paris: Editions Karthala. ISBN 978-92-9028-211-2. Archived from the original on 15 July 2020. Retrieved 14 October 2015.
* Randier, Jean (2006). La Royale: L'histoire illustrée de la Marine nationale française (in French). Maîtres du Vent – La Falaise: Babouji. ISBN 978-2-35261-022-9.
* Randrianary, Victor (2001). Madagascar: les chants d'une île (in French). Paris: Actes Sud. ISBN 978-2-7427-3556-3.
* Ratsimbaharison, Adrien (2017). The Political Crisis of March 2009 in Madagascar: A Case Study of Conflict and Conflict Mediation. Lanham, Boulder, New York, London: Rowman & Littlefield. ISBN 978-1-4422-7235-4.
* Ratsimbazafy, Ernest (2010). "Moraingy". In Green, Thomas; Svinth, Joseph (eds.). Martial Arts of the World: An Encyclopedia of History and Innovation, Volume 2. Santa Barbara, CA: ABC CLIO. ISBN 978-1-59884-243-2. Archived from the original on 8 March 2017. Retrieved 14 October 2015.
* Regnier, Denis (2015). "Clean people, unclean people: the essentialisation of 'slaves' among the southern Betsileo of Madagascar". Social Anthropology. 23 (2): 152–158\. doi:10.1111/1469-8676.12107. Archived from the original on 25 October 2018. Retrieved 24 October 2018.
* Reinsch, Paul Samuel (1905). Colonial Administration. New York: Macmillan.
* Rodd, Tony; Stackhouse, Jennifer (2008). Trees: A Visual Guide. Los Angeles: University of California Press. ISBN 978-0-520-25650-7. Archived from the original on 30 March 2021. Retrieved 4 July 2020.
* Room, Adrian (2006). Placenames of the world: origins and meanings of the names for 6,600 countries, cities, territories, natural features, and historic sites. Jefferson, NC: McFarland. ISBN 978-0-7864-2248-7. Archived from the original on 29 March 2017. Retrieved 14 October 2015.
* Sharp, Leslie (2002). The Sacrificed Generation: Youth, History, and the Colonized Mind in Madagascar. Berkeley, CA: University of California Press. ISBN 978-0-520-22951-8. Archived from the original on 14 July 2020. Retrieved 14 October 2015.
* Shillington, Kevin (2005). Encyclopedia of African history. New York: CRC Press. ISBN 978-1-57958-453-5.
* Strakes, Jason (2006). "Armed Forces of the People". In Leonard, Thomas M. (ed.). Encyclopedia of the developing world. Vol. 1\. New York: Taylor & Francis. ISBN 978-1-57958-388-0. Archived from the original on 19 May 2015. Retrieved 14 October 2015.
* Thompson, Virginia; Adloff, Richard (1965). The Malagasy Republic: Madagascar today. San Francisco, CA: Stanford University Press. ISBN 978-0-8047-0279-9.
* Uwechue, Raph (1981). Makers of modern Africa: profiles in history, Volume 1. Dearborne, MI: Africa Books Ltd. ISBN 978-0-903274-14-2.
* Van Den Boogaerde, Pierre (2008). Shipwrecks of Madagascar. New York: AEG Publishing Group. ISBN 978-1-60693-494-4. Archived from the original on 2 August 2020. Retrieved 4 July 2020.
* Wink, André (2004). Volume 3 of Al-Hind: The Making of the Indo-Islamic World: Indo-Islamic society, 14th–15th centuries. Leiden, The Netherlands: Brill. ISBN 978-90-04-13561-1. Archived from the original on 29 May 2016. Retrieved 14 October 2015.

## External links

[edit]

Madagascar at Wikipedia's sister projects

* Definitions from Wiktionary
* Media from Commons
* News from Wikinews
* Quotations from Wikiquote
* Texts from Wikisource
* Textbooks from Wikibooks
* Resources from Wikiversity
* Travel information from Wikivoyage
* Data from Wikidata

* Country Profile Archived 29 July 2018 at the Wayback Machine from BBC News
* Madagascar Archived 14 February 2021 at the Wayback Machine. The World Factbook. Central Intelligence Agency.
* Madagascar from UCB Libraries GovPubs
* Wikimedia Atlas of Madagascar
* Key Development Forecasts for Madagascar Archived 19 November 2020 at the Wayback Machine from International Futures
* Geographic data related to Madagascar at OpenStreetMap
* Map of Madagascar, 1666 Archived 3 February 2021 at the Wayback Machine, (in French). Eran Laor Cartographic Collection, The National Library of Israel

* v
* t
* e

Madagascar articles

History|

* Merina Kingdom
* Monarchs
* Indian Ocean slave trade
* Libertatia
* Franco-Hova Wars
* Malagasy Protectorate
* French Madagascar
* Colonial governors
* World War II
* Malagasy Uprising
* Independence
* Malagasy Republic
* Democratic Republic
* Third Republic
* 2009 political crisis
* Transitional Authority
* COVID-19 pandemic
* 2021–2022 famine

Geography|

* Biosphere reserves
* Cities
* Districts
* Ecoregions
* Islands
* Protected areas
* Provinces
* Regions
* Rivers
* Volcanoes
* Wildlife
* World Heritage Sites

Politics|

* Constitution
* Elections
* Foreign relations
* Human rights
* Law enforcement
* Military
* Parliament
* National Assembly
* Senate
* Political parties
* President
* Prime Minister
* Subdivisions

Economy|

* Agriculture
* Ariary (currency)
* Central bank
* Companies
* Food security
* Illegal logging
* Tourism

Transport|

* Driving
* Railways

Society|

* Abortion
* Anthem
* Seal
* Architecture
* Culture
* Cuisine
* Demographics
* Education
* Ethnic groups
* Flag
* Languages
* LGBT rights
* Media
* newspapers
* Music
* Mythology
* Public holidays
* Religion
* Sports

* Outline
* Index

* Category
* Portal

Related articles

* v
* t
* e

Countries and territories of Africa

Sovereign states|

* Algeria
* Angola
* Benin
* Botswana
* Burkina Faso
* Burundi
* Cameroon
* Cape Verde
* Central African Republic
* Chad
* Comoros
* Democratic Republic of the Congo
* Republic of the Congo
* Djibouti
* Egypt (partly in Asia)
* Equatorial Guinea
* Eritrea
* Eswatini
* Ethiopia
* Gabon
* The Gambia
* Ghana
* Guinea
* Guinea-Bissau
* Ivory Coast
* Kenya
* Lesotho
* Liberia
* Libya
* Madagascar
* Malawi
* Mali
* Mauritania
* Mauritius
* Morocco
* Mozambique
* Namibia
* Niger
* Nigeria
* Rwanda
* São Tomé and Príncipe
* Senegal
* Seychelles
* Sierra Leone
* Somalia
* South Africa
* South Sudan
* Sudan
* Tanzania
* Togo
* Tunisia
* Uganda
* Zambia
* Zimbabwe

States with limited
recognition

* Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic (unclear sovereignty)
* Somaliland

Dependent
territories

| France|

* Îles Éparses

|

United Kingdom|

Saint Helena, Ascension and Tristan da Cunha

African territories
fully part of
non-African states|

| France|

* Mayotte
* Réunion

|

Italy|

* Pantelleria
* Pelagie Islands

Portugal|

* Madeira
* Savage Islands

Spain|

* Canary Islands
* Ceuta
* Melilla
* Plazas de soberanía

Yemen|

* Socotra

* Category
* Africa portal

* v
* t
* e

Countries and regions in the Somali plate

Countries|

* Comoros
* Eswatini
* Kenya
* Madagascar
* Mauritius
* Mozambique
* Seychelles
* Somalia
* Somaliland
* Tanzania
* Uganda

Regions|

* KwaZulu-Natal (South Africa)
* Mayotte (France)
* Réunion (France)
* Socotra Governorate (Yemen)
* Somali Region (Ethiopia)

* v
* t
* e

Countries and territories bordering the Indian Ocean

Africa|

* Comoros
* Djibouti
* Egypt
* Eritrea
* France
* Mayotte
* Réunion
* Kenya
* Madagascar
* Mauritius
* Mozambique
* Seychelles
* Somalia
* Somaliland
* South Africa
* Sudan
* Tanzania

Asia|

* Bahrain
* Bangladesh
* Christmas Island (Australia)
* Cocos (Keeling) Islands (Australia)
* India
* Indonesia
* Iran
* Iraq
* Israel
* Jordan
* Kuwait
* Malaysia
* Maldives
* Myanmar
* Oman
* Pakistan
* Qatar
* Saudi Arabia
* Singapore
* Sri Lanka
* Thailand
* Timor-Leste
* United Arab Emirates
* Yemen

Other|

* Antarctica
* Australian Antarctic Territory
* French Southern and Antarctic Lands
* Heard Island and McDonald Islands
* Australia

* v
* t
* e

World's largest islands

100,000 km2
(38,610 sq mi) and greater|

* Greenland
* New Guinea
* Borneo
* Madagascar
* Baffin Island
* Sumatra
* Honshu
* Victoria Island (Canada)
* Great Britain
* Ellesmere Island
* Sulawesi
* South Island
* Java
* North Island
* Luzon
* Newfoundland
* Cuba
* Iceland

* Islands portal

20,000–99,999 km2
(7,722–38,610 sq mi)|

* Mindanao
* Ireland
* Hokkaido
* Hispaniola
* Sakhalin
* Banks Island
* Sri Lanka
* Tasmania
* Devon Island
* Alexander Island
* Severny Island
* Isla Grande de Tierra del Fuego
* Axel Heiberg Island
* Melville Island
* Southampton Island
* Marajó
* Spitsbergen
* Kyushu
* Taiwan
* New Britain
* Prince of Wales Island
* Yuzhny Island
* Hainan
* Vancouver Island
* Timor
* Sicily
* Somerset Island
* Kotelny Island
* Sardinia
* Bananal

Authority control databases

International|

* ISNI
* VIAF
* FAST
* WorldCat

National|

* Germany
* United States
* France
* 2
* BnF data
* 2
* Japan
* Czech Republic
* Spain
* Norway
* Sweden
* Israel

Geographic|

* MusicBrainz area

Artists|

* KulturNav

People|

* UK Parliament

Other|

* Historical Dictionary of Switzerland
* NARA
* Encyclopedia of Modern Ukraine
* İslâm Ansiklopedisi
* Yale LUX

20°S 47°E﻿ / ﻿20°S 47°E﻿ / -20; 47
*[c.]: circa
*[v]: View this template
*[t]: Discuss this template
*[e]: Edit this template