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Madagascar Facts and Figures

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Location of madagascar
Location of madagascar

Madagascar flag
Flag of Madagascar

Madagascar map
Map of Madagascar


Meaning of Country's name

From the name of the island in Malagasy language: Madagasikara, itself derived from the proto-Malay "end of the Earth", a reference to the island's long distance by sea from an earlier homeland in Southeast Asia

Capital

Antananarivo

Largest Cities

Antananarivo, Toamasina, Antsirabe, Fianarantsoa, Mahajanga

Population

20,653,556 (2009 est)

Country Code

261

Internet Country Code

.mg

Area

226,597 sq mi (587,041 km2)

Area-Comparative

Slightly less than twice the size of Arizona

Bordering Countries

No bordering countries, but surrounded by the Indian Ocean

Date of Founding (Current State)

June 26, 1960

Type of Government

Democratic Republic

Languages Spoken

Malagasy, French, and English

Religions Practiced

Traditional Religion (50%), Christian (45%), Islam (7%)

GDP per Capita

$932.00 (USD)

Latest GDP Growth Rate

0.4% (2009 est)

Top Exports

Coffee, Vanilla, Shellfish, Sugar, Fiber

National Holidays

New Year's Day – January 1, Good Friday – April 14, Easter – April 17, Labor Day – May 1, Independence Day – June 26, Assumption – August 15, All Saint's Day – November 1, Christmas Day – December 25, Anniversary of the Republic of Madagascar – December 30

Money Currency

Malagasy Ariary (MGA)

National Sports Teams

Madagascar National Rugby Union Team, Madagascar Davis Cup Team, Madagascar Fed Team, Madagascar Women's National Basketball Team

Random Fact

Madagascar is also referred as the Red Island, due to the red color of its soil



NEWS FROM Madagascar

Sunday, 02-05-12, 18:34
[Nation] Antananarivo - Former Madagascar First Lady Lalao Ravalomanana was banned from boarding an Airlink flight at Oliver Tambo International Airport in Johannesburg while planning to return home on Sunday.

Wednesday, 02-01-12, 8:07
[IRIN] Talata - Ernest Rakotoarivony, 45, was teased by some members of the Talata community, a small town 30km north of Madagascar's capital Antananarivo, after breaking with traditional rice cultivation methods and employing a technique taught to him by a Jesuit priest.




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