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''{{two other uses|the Republic of Madagascar|the 2005 animated film|Madagascar (2005 film)}}''
{{Infobox Country
|native_name = Republic of Madagascar
|native_name2 = Repoblikan'i Madagasikara
|common_name = Madagascar
|image_flag = Flag of Madagascar.svg
|image_coat = Coat of arms of Madagascar.svg
|national_motto = ''Tanindrazana, Fahafahana, Fandrosoana''{{spaces|2}}<small>(])</small><br/>''Patrie, liberté, progrès''{{spaces|2}}<small>(])<br/>"Fatherland, Liberty, Progress"</small>
|image_map = LocationMadagascar.svg
|national_anthem = '']''<small><br/>''Oh, Our Beloved Fatherland''</small>
|official_languages = ], ], '']<sup>1</sup>''
|capital = ]
|latd=18 |latm=55 |latNS=S |longd=47 |longm=31 |longEW=E
|government_type = ]
|leader_title1 = ]
|leader_title2 = ]
|leader_name1 = ]
|leader_name2 = ]
|largest_city = Antananarivo
|area_km2 = 587,041
|area_sq_mi = 226,597 <!-- Do not remove per ] -->|
area_rank = 45th
|area_magnitude = 1 E11
|percent_water = 0.13%
|water area = 5,500
|population_estimate = 20,042,551 <ref></ref>
|population_estimate_year = July 2008
|population_estimate_rank = 55th
|population_census = 12,238,914
|population_census_year = 1993
|population_density_km2 = 33
|population_density_sq_mi = 86 <!--Do not remove per ]-->
|population_density_rank = 171st
|GDP_PPP_year = 2007
|GDP_PPP = $18.12 billion (2007 est.)
|GDP_PPP_per_capita = $1,100 (2007 est.)<ref></ref>
|HDI_year = 2007
|HDI = {{increase}} 0.533
|HDI_rank = 143rd
|HDI_category = <font color="ffcc00">medium</font>
|Gini = 47.5
|Gini_year = 2001
|Gini_category = <font color="#e0584e">high</font>
|sovereignty_type = ]
|sovereignty_note = from ]
|established_event1 = Date
|established_date1 = ] ]
|currency = ]
|currency_code = MGA
|time_zone = ]
|utc_offset = +3
|time_zone_DST = ''not observed''
|demonym = ]<ref>"Malagasy" is the correct form in English - even though "Madagascan" (sic) has recently gained more usage </ref>
|utc_offset_DST = +3
|cctld = ]
|calling_code = 261
|footnotes = <sup>1</sup>Official languages since 27 April 2007}}

'''Madagascar''', or '''Republic of Madagascar''' (older name '''Malagasy Republic'''), is an ] in the ] off the southeastern coast of ]. The main island, also called Madagascar, is the ], and is home to 5% of the world's ] and ] ], of which more than 80% are ] to Madagascar. {{Fact|date=June 2008}} They include the ] ] of ]s, the carnivorous ], three ] ] and six ] species.

==History==
{{main|History of Madagascar}}
Madagascar, as part of East ], split from ] approximately 160 million years ago; the island of Madagascar was created when it separated from ] 80 to 100 million years ago. <ref></ref> Most archaeologists estimate human settlement of Madagascar to be between 200 and 500 A.D., when seafarers from southeast Asia (probably from ] or the southern ]) arrived in ] sailing ]s.<ref>
''Migration from Kalimantan to Madagascar'' by O. C. Dahl</ref>
] settlers probably crossed the ] to Madagascar at about the same time or shortly afterwards. However, Malagasy tradition and ethnographic evidence suggests that they may have been preceded by the ] hunter gatherers.<ref>''Archaeology, Language, and the African Past'' by Roger Blench</ref>

The written history of Madagascar begins in the 7th century,<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.state.gov/r/pa/ei/bgn/5460.htm |title=Background Note: Madagascar |accessdate=2008-08-12 |format=htm |work=U.S. Department of State }}</ref> when ] ]s established trading posts along the northwest coast and first transcribed the ] into ].
During the ], the chiefs began to extend their power through trade with Indian Ocean neighbors, notably East Africa, the Middle East and India. Large ]s began to dominate considerable areas of the island. Among these were the ] chiefdoms of the ], centred in what is now the town of ], and of ], centred in what is now the provincial capital of ] (]). The influence of the ] extended across what is now the provinces of ], ] and ].

European contact began in the year 1500, when ] sea captain ] sighted the island after his ship separated from a fleet going to ].<ref>{{CathEncy|wstitle=Madagascar}}</ref> The Portuguese continued trading with the islanders and named the island as "Sāo Lourenço" (St. Lawrence). In 1666, ], the Director General of the newly formed ], sailed to Madagascar.<ref>{{cite book |last=Vincent |first=Rose |authorlink= |coauthors= |editor= |others= |title=The French in India: From Diamond Traders to Sanskrit Scholars |origdate= |origyear= |origmonth= |url= |format= |accessdate= |accessyear= |accessmonth= |edition= |series= |date= |year=1990 |month= |publisher=Popular Prakashan |location= |language= |isbn=0-8613-2259-2 |oclc= |doi= |id= |pages= |chapter= |chapterurl= |quote= }}</ref> The Company failed to establish a ] on Madagascar but established ports on the nearby islands of Bourbon and Ile-de-France (today's ] and ]). In the late 17th century, the ] established trading posts along the east coast.

From about 1774 to 1824, Madagascar was a favourite haunt for ]s, including ]s, one of whom brought ] to ]. Many European sailors were shipwrecked on the coasts of the island, among them ] whose journal is one of the only written depictions of life in southern Madagascar during the 18th century.<ref>From MADAGASCAR to the MALAGASY REPUBLIC by Raymond K. Kent pg 65-71</ref>

<center><gallery>
Image:Andrianampoinimerina.jpg |]<br /> (1795-1819).....
Image:Radama1.gif|]<br /> (1810-1828)
Image:Reine1.JPG|]<br /> (1828-1861)
Image:Radama II with crown.jpg|]<br /> (1861-1863
Image:Rasoherina.jpg|]<br /> (1863-1868)
Image:Ranavalona II.jpg|]<br /> (1868-1883)
Image:Ranavalona III.jpg|]<br /> (1883-1897)
</gallery></center>

Beginning in the 1790s, ] rulers succeeded in establishing ] over most of the island, including the coast. In 1817, the Merina ruler and the ] governor of ] concluded a ] abolishing the ], which had been important in Madagascar's economy. In return, the island received British military and financial assistance. British influence remained strong for several decades, during which the Merina court was converted to ], ] and ].

With the domination of the Indian Ocean by the ] and the end of the ], the western ] lost their power to the emerging ] state. The ] of the east coast also unified, but this union soon faltered.

France invaded Madagascar in 1883 in what became known as the first ] seeking to restore property that had been confiscated from French citizens. (''Hova'' is one of three Merina classes: ''andriana'' - aristocracy, ''hova'' - common people, ''andevo'' - slaves. The term ''hova'' was wrongly used by the French to mean Merina.) At the wars end, Madagascar ceded ] (Diego Suarez) on the northern coast to France and paid 560,000 ]s to the heirs of Joseph-François Lambert. In 1890 the British accepted the full formal imposition of a French ].

In 1895, a French flying column landed in ] (Majunga) and marched to the capital, ], where the city's defenders were taken by surprise, as they were expecting an attack from the much closer east coast. Twenty French soldiers died fighting and 6,000 died of ] and other diseases before the second Franco-Hova War ended.

After the conclusion of hostilities, in 1896 the ] voted to ] Madagascar. The 103-year-old Merina monarchy ended with the royal family being sent into exile in ]. In December 1904, the ]n ] docked at ] (Diego Suarez) for coal and provisions before sailing on to its doomed encounter with the ] fleet in the ]. Before leaving port the Russian sailors were required to put ashore the animals they had acquired, including ]s, ] and one ].

During ], Malagasy troops fought in ], ], and ]. Just before the fall of France, ] planned to forcibly deport all of Europe's ]s to Madagascar in what was known as the ]. But action on the plan was never begun. After France fell to Germany, the ] government administered Madagascar. During the ], British troops occupied the strategic island in 1942 to preclude its seizure by the ], after which the ] took over.

In 1947, with French prestige at low ebb, a ] was suppressed after several months of bitter fighting with 90,000 people killed.<ref>{{fr icon}} </ref> The French later established reformed institutions in 1956 under the ] (Overseas Reform Act), and Madagascar moved peacefully towards independence. The ] was proclaimed on ], ], as an ] state within the ]. A period of provisional government ended with the adoption of a ] in 1959 and full independence on June 26, 1960.

== Politics ==
{{main|Government of Madagascar|Politics of Madagascar}}
Madagascar is a ] ] ], whereby the ] is ], and of a ] multi-party system. ] is exercised by the government. ] is vested in both the ] and the ] and the ]. The ] is independent of the executive and the legislature.

== Provinces and regions ==
{{main|Provinces of Madagascar|Regions of Madagascar}}

Madagascar is divided into six autonomous provinces (''faritany mizakatena''), and 22 ]s. The regions will be the highest subdivision level when the provinces are dissolved by 2009.

]
<table width="60%"><tr valign=top><td>
*] (1)
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</td><td>
*] (3)
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*] (4)
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</td><td>
*] (5)
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*] (6)
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</td></tr></table>

The regions are further subdivided into 116 districts, 1,548 communes, and 16,969 fokontany. The major cities have a special status as "commune urbaine", at the same level as the districts.

== Geography ==
{{main|Geography of Madagascar}}
]]]
At {{km2 to mi2|587041|wiki=yes|abbr=yes}}, Madagascar is the world's 46th-largest country and the fourth largest ]. It is slightly larger than ] and it also is one of 11 distinct ] provinces of the ] physiographic division.

Towards the east, a steep escarpment leads from the central highlands down into a ribbon of ] with a narrow coastal further east. The ] is a chain of natural and man-made ]s connected by canals that runs parallel to the east coast for some 460 km (about two-thirds of the island). The descent from the central highlands toward the west is more gradual, with remnants of deciduous forest and ]-like ]s (which in the south and southwest, are quite dry and host spiny ] and ]s). On the west coast are many protected harbours, but silting is a major problem caused by sediment from the high levels of ] inland.

Along the crest of this ridge lie the central highlands, a ] region ranging in altitude from 2,450 to 4,400 ft (750 to 1350m) above sea level. The central highlands are characterised by terraced, rice-growing valleys lying between barren hills. Here, the red ] soil that covers much of the island has been exposed by erosion, showing clearly why the country is often referred to as the "Red Island".

The island's highest peak, Maromokotro, at 2,876 m (9,436 ft), is found in the Tsaratanana Massif, located in the far north of the country. The Ankaratra Massif is in the central area south of the capital ] and hosts the third highest mountain on the island, Tsiafajavona, with an altitude of 2,642 m (8,668 ft). Further south is the Andringitra massif which has several peaks over 2400 m (about 8,000 ft) including the second and fourth highest peaks, Pic Imarivolanitra, more widely known as Pic Boby (8,720 ft, 2,658 m), and Pic Bory (8,626 ft, 2,630 m). Other peaks in the massif include Pic Soaindra (8,594 ft, 2,620 m) and Pic Ivangomena (8,385 ft, 2,556 m). This massif also contains the ]. On very rare occasions, this region experiences ] in winter due to its high altitude.
There are two seasons: a hot, rainy season from November to April, and a cooler, dry season from May to October. South-eastern ]s predominate, and the island occasionally experiences ]s.

=== Ecology ===
] in Madagascar]]{{main|Ecoregions of Madagascar}}
{{main|Fauna of Madagascar}}

Madagascar is long isolation from the neighboring continents has resulted in a unique mix of plants and animals, many found nowhere else in the world; some ecologists refer to Madagascar as the "eighth continent".<ref>The Eighth Continent: Life, Death, and Discovery in the Lost World of Madagascar</ref> Of the 10,000 plants native to Madagascar, 90% are found nowhere else in the world.<ref name="kew">, ], January 2008</ref>

Madagascar's varied fauna and flora are endangered by human activity, as a third of its native vegetation has disappeared since the 1970s, and only 18% remains intact.<ref name="kew"/>

The eastern, or ] side of the island is home to ]s, while the western and southern sides, which lie in the ] of the central highlands, are home to ], thorn forests, and ]. Madagascar's dry deciduous rain forest have been preserved generally better than the eastern rainforests or the high central ], presumably due to historically low population density and scarce water supplies.

Extensive ] has taken place in parts of the country. ] activity, locally called ''tavy'', has occurred in the eastern and western dry forests as well as the on the central high plateau, reducing certain forest ] and applying pressure to some ]. Slash-and-burn is a method sometimes used by ] to create short-term yields from marginal soils. When practiced repeatedly without intervening fallow periods, the ]-poor soils may be exhausted or eroded to an unproductive state. The resulting increased ] from burned lands has caused significant erosion and resulting high sedimentation to western rivers.

As a part of conservation efforts, the Wildlife Conservation Society has recently opened a Madagascar! exhibit at the Bronx Zoo. The New York Academy of Sciences recently published a Podcast about the Madagascar! exhibit, which details the fauna and flora of Madagascar and what types of projects the WCS is involved with in the country. The Podcast can be listened to

Madagascar is represented in the ] geographical encoding standard by the symbol ''MA''.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.state.gov/s/inr/rls/4250.htm |title=Independent States in the World |accessdate=2008-05-24 |publisher=United States Department of State |date=2008-03-20 }}</ref>

== Economy ==
{{main|Economy of Madagascar}}
], including ] and ], is a mainstay of the economy. Major exports are ], ] (Madagascar is the world's largest producer and exporter of vanilla), ], ], ], ], ] (tapioca), ], ], ] and livestock products. Vanilla has historically been of particular importance, and when in 1985 ] switched to ] which involved less vanilla, Madagascar's economy took a marked downturn, but returned to previous levels after the return of ].<ref></ref>

]s began in the late 1980s, initially under pressure from international financial institutions, notably the ]. An initial privatization program (1988-1993) and the development of an ] (EPZ) regime in the early 1990s were key milestones in this effort. A period of significant stagnation from 1991-96 was followed by 5 years of solid economic growth and accelerating foreign investment, driven by a second wave of privatizations{{Fact|date=December 2007}} and EPZ development. Although structural reforms advanced, governance remained weak and perceived ] in Madagascar was extremely high. During the period of solid growth from 1997 to 2001, ] levels remained stubbornly high, especially in rural areas. A six-month political crisis triggered by a dispute over the outcome of the presidential elections held in December 2001 virtually halted economic activity in much of the country in the first half of 2002. ] dropped 12.7% for the year 2002, inflows of ] dropped sharply, and the crisis tarnished Madagascar's budding reputation as an ] standout and a promising place to invest. After the crisis, the economy rebounded with GDP growth of over 10% in 2003. ] and rising ] in 2004 have hampered economic performance, but growth for the year reached 5.3%, with inflation reaching around 25% at the end of the year. In 2005 inflation was brought under control by tight monetary policy of raising the ''Taux Directeur'' (central bank rate) to 16% and tightening reserve requirements for banks. Thus growth was expected to reach around 6.5% in 2005.

Following the 2002 political crisis, the government attempted to set a new course and build confidence, in coordination with ]s and donors. Madagascar developed a recovery plan in collaboration with the private sector and donors and presented it at a "Friends of Madagascar" conference organized by the ] in ] in July 2002. Donor countries demonstrated their confidence in the new government by pledging $1 billion in assistance over five years. The Malagasy Government identified road infrastructure as its principle priority and underlined its commitment to public-private partnership by establishing a joint public-private sector steering committee.

In 2000, Madagascar embarked on the preparation of a ] (PRSP) under the ] (HIPC) Initiative. The boards of the ] and World Bank agreed in December 2000 that the country had reached the decision point for debt relief under the HIPC Initiative and defined a set of conditions for Madagascar to reach the completion point. In October 2004, the boards of the IMF and the ] determined that Madagascar had reached the completion point under the enhanced HIPC Initiative.

The ] was formed as a collaboration between the United States Agency for International Development (]) and Malagasian artisan producers in Madagascar in 2002.<ref>"Made in Madagascar: Exporting Handicrafts to the U.S. Market: a Project with the UN Public-Private Alliance for Rural Development; Final Report", A Project with the UN Public-Private Alliance for Rural Development.</ref> The U.S.-Madagascar Business Council was formed in the United States in May 2003, and the two organisations continue to explore ways to work for the benefit of both groups.

The government of President Ravalomanana is aggressively seeking foreign investment and is tackling many of the obstacles to such investment, including combating corruption, reforming land-ownership laws, encouraging study of American and European business techniques, and active pursuit of foreign investors. President Ravalomanana rose to prominence through his agro-foods ] company, and is known for attempting to apply many of the lessons learned in the world of business to running the government. Some recent concerns have arisen about the conflict of interest between his policies and the activities of his firms. Most notable among them the preferential treatment for rice imports initiated by the government in late 2004 when responding to a production shortfall in the country.

Madagascar's sources of growth are ]; ] and light manufacturing exports (notably through the EPZs); agricultural products and mining. Madagascar is the world's leading producer of vanilla and accounts for about half the world's export market. Tourism targets the niche eco-tourism market, capitalizing on Madagascar's unique biodiversity, unspoiled natural habitats, ] and ] species. Exports from the EPZs, located around Antananarivo and ], consist the most part of ] manufacture, targeting the US market under ] and the European markets under the ] (EBA) agreement. Agricultural exports consist of low-volume high-value products like vanilla, ] and ]s. A small but growing part of the economy is based on mining of ], with investments emerging in recent years, particularly near ] and ].<ref>Madagascar - Mining: Heavy Minerals Mining </ref> Mining corporation ] expects to begin operations near Fort Dauphin in 2008, following several years of infrastructure preparation. The mining project is highly controversial, with Friends of the Earth and other environmental organizations filing reports to detail their concerns about effects on the local environment and communities.<ref></ref>

Several major projects are underway in the mining and ] and ] sectors that, if successful, will give a significant boost to the Malagasy economy. In the mining sector, these include the development of coal at Sakoa and nickel near Tamatave. In oil, ] is developing the massive ] ] ] at ] and ] field at ].

== Foreign relations ==
Madagascar was historically perceived as being on the margin of mainstream African affairs. But it eagerly rejoined the ] in July 2003 after a 14-month hiatus triggered by the 2002 political crisis. From 1978 to 1991, President Ratsiraka emphasized independence and nonalignment and followed an "all points" policy stressing ties with ] and ]s, including ], ], ], and ]. But President ], taking office in 1993, expressed his desire for diplomatic relations with all countries. Early in his tenure, he established formal ties with ] and sent emissaries to ].

Starting in 1997, ] encouraged the government and President Ratsiraka to adhere to market-oriented policies and to engage world markets. External relations reflect this trend, although Madagascar's physical isolation and strong traditional insular orientation have limited its activity in regional economic organisations and relations with its ]n neighbours. It enjoys closer and generally good relations with its ] neighbours -- ], ], and ]. Active relationships with ], especially ], ], and ], as well as with ], ], ], ], and ] have been strong since independence. More recently, President Ravalomanana has cultivated strong links with the ], and Madagascar was the first country to benefit from the ]. Madagascar is also a member of the ] with a Bilateral Immunity Agreement of protection for the ]-military (as covered under ]).

President Ravalomanana has stated that he welcomes relations with all countries interested in helping Madagascar to develop. He travels widely promoting Madagascar abroad and has consciously sought to strengthen relations with ] countries as a means of balancing traditionally strong French influence. He has also cultivated strong ties with China during his tenure.

In November 2004, after an absence of almost 30 years, Madagascar re-opened its ] in ]. On 15 December 2004 the ], ], announced the closure of the British embassy in Antananarivo to save £250,000 a year. He also announced an end to the DFID-funded Small Grants Scheme, the only aid Britain gave to this, one of the world's poorest countries. The embassy closed in August 2005 despite ]s and protests from African heads of state, a European commissioner, the Malagasy Senate, many British companies, 30 or so NGOs operating in Madagascar, and members of the public.

The British Embassy was previously closed (also for financial reasons) from 1975 to 1980. The Anglo-Malagasy Society are campaigning to have it re-opened once again.

== Demographics ==
]
{{main|Demographics of Madagascar}}

Madagascar's population is predominantly of mixed ] (i.e.]/]) and ] origin. Those who are visibly ] in appearance and culture are the minority, found mostly in the highland regions. Recent research suggests that the island was uninhabited until Austronesian seafarers arrived about 1,500 to 2,000 years ago. Recent ] research shows that the Malagasy people are approximately of half Austronesian and half East African descent, although some ], ]n and ]an influence is present along the coast. Malagasy language shares some 90% of its basic vocabulary with the ] language from the region of the ] in southern ].

Subsequent ] from the East Indies and Africa consolidated this original mixture, and 36 separate tribal groups emerged. Austronesian features are most predominant in the ] (3 million) ; the coastal people (called ''c�tiers'') are of more clearly African origin. The largest ]al groups are the ] (1.5 million) and the ] and ] (700,000 each). The Vezo live in the southwest. Two of the southern tribes are the Antandroy and the Antanosy.

During the French colonial administration (1895-1960) and some time after independence, people were officially classified in ]s. This practice was abandoned in the first census (1975) after independence<ref>L'ethnicisation des rapports sociaux � Madagascar </ref>, so any recent classification and figures for ethnic groups is an unofficial estimate. There is for instance no mention of ethnicity or religion in the national identity cards. Also, territorial divisions (provinces, regions) do not follow any ethnic division lines, despite an attempt by the colonial administration in the early 20th century. Ethnic divisions continue, and may cause violence, but their role is limited in today's society. Regional political parties are also rare, although some parties receive most of their support in certain areas.

Only two general censuses, 1975 and 1993, have been carried out after independence.

In 1993 (last census) there were 18,497 foreign residents on Madagascar, or 0.15% of the population.

=== Language ===
The ] (pronounced Malagassy) is of ] origin and is generally spoken throughout the island.
Madagascar is a francophone country meaning it speaks French, and is a part of the French speaking population. ] is spoken among the educated population of this former French colony. ], although still rare, is becoming more widely spoken and in 2003 the government began a pilot project of introducing the teaching of English into the ]s of 44 schools, with hopes of taking the project nationwide. Many ] volunteers are serving to further this effort and train teachers.

In the first Constitution of 1958, ] and ] were named the "official languages of the Malagasy Republic"<ref>"Le malgache et le fran�ais sont les langues officielles de la R�publique Malgache." Constitution, Titre I, Art. 2; Constitutional Law 14 October 1958.</ref>.

No official languages were recorded in the Constitution of 1992. Instead, Malagasy was named the "national language". However, many sources still claimed that Malagasy and French were official languages, as they were ''de facto''. In April 2000 a citizen brought a legal case on the grounds that the publication of official documents in the French language only was unconstitutional. The High Constitutional Court observed in its decision<ref>Haute Cour Constitutionnelle De Madagascar, D�cision n�03-HCC/D2 Du 12 avril 2000 </ref> that, in the absence of a language law, French still had the character of an official language.

In the Constitution of 2007, Malagasy remains the national language, while official languages are reintroduced: Malagasy, French and English. The motivation for the inclusion of English is partly to improve relations with the neighbouring countries where English is used, and to encourage ].<ref>, ClickAfrique.com, 10 April 2007.</ref>

=== Religion ===
{{See Also|Islam in Madagascar|Roman Catholicism in Madagascar}}
Approximately 50% of the country's population practice traditional religion, which tends to emphasize links between the living and the dead. The Merina in the highlands particularly tend to hold tightly to this practice. They believe that the dead join their ]s in the ranks of divinity and that ancestors are intensely concerned with the fate of their living descendants. The Merina and Betsileo reburial practice of '']'', or "turning over the dead", celebrates this spiritual communion. In this ritual, relatives' remains are removed from the family ], rewrapped in new silk shrouds, and returned to the tomb following festive ceremonies in their honour where sometimes the bodies are lifted and carried high above the celebrants heads with singing and dancing before returning them to the tomb.

About 45% of the Malagasy are ], divided almost evenly between ]s and ]s. Many incorporate the ] with their other religious beliefs and bless their dead at church before proceeding with the traditional burial rites. They also may invite a ] to attend a ''famadihana''. The ] is open to its members continuing these practices, while more conservative Protestant denominations tend to condemn them to be ]s or ] worship that should be abandoned. Many of the Christian churches are influential in politics. The best example of this is the Malagasy Council of Churches (FFKM) comprising the four oldest and most prominent Christian denominations (], ], ] and ]).

] constitutes about 7% of the population. The Muslim traders who first brought Islam in the 10th century had a deep influence on the west coast. For example, many Malagasy converted to Islam and the Malagasy language was, for the first time, transcribed into an alphabet, based on the ], called ]. ] are concentrated in the provinces of ] and ] (Diego Suarez). Muslims are divided between those of Malagasy ethnicity, ]s, and ]. The number of ]s in the south-east region has increased from 10 to 50 in the last ten years.<ref></ref> Recently, several tribes in Madagascar
have been converting to Islam. One particular occasion is the Intimor tribe
of the southeast, of which 17,500 converted en-masse .<ref>[
http://www.islamicvoice.com/january.2000/embraced.htm#INT] 17,500 of Intimor
Tribe come back to Islam</ref>

==Music==
{{main|Music of Madagascar}}

== Miscellaneous topics ==
* ], Madagascar: A small fishing village located on the southwest coast of Madagascar
* ]
* ]
* ]
* ]
* ]
* ]
* ]
* ]
* ]
* ]
* ]
* ]
* , Project set up to help Malagasy communities tackle the causes and effects of poverty

== References ==
{{reflist|2}}

== External links ==
{{sisterlinks|Madagascar}}

===Government===
* official site
* official site (English)
* Official site
*Embassies and Consulates
**

===News===
* news headline links
* conservation story

===Overviews===
*
*
*
* Overview, news, photos, cultural history. English and French
* Photos Madagascar

===Directories===
*{{dmoz|Regional/Africa/Madagascar}}
* directory category
* directory category
* directory category
* directory category

===Ecology===
*
*
* MWC is a Malagasy non-profit association, which organises and pursues community-based conservations projects
*
* by CEGET library (CNRS, France)

===Miscellaneous===
* UK charity and Malagasy NGO working in southeast Madagascar to alleviate poverty, improve well-being and protect beautiful unique environments with the help of its award winning volunteering programmes.
* charitable organization providing scholarships for underprivileged students in Madagascar
*
*
*{{wikitravel}}
* award winning not-for-profit organisation dedicated to facilitating projects and expeditions that enhance global marine conservation and research. Based in ], South West coast of Madagascar.
* not-for-profit organization and Rising Voices grantee project dedicated to the use of ICT as a tool to promote sustainable development, especially combining human development and the protection of the environment.
{{Indian Ocean}}
{{Member states of the SADC}}
{{Member states of the African Union}}
{{La Francophonie}}
{{Austronesian-speaking}}
{{Portuguese overseas empire}}

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Revision as of 17:52, 26 September 2008