Madagascar

There is a sudden interest in American culture and European popular culture, which is eroding the more traditional culture, and especially the music. Three field hockey teams, Amsterdam, Pinoké and Hurley, and a basketball team, the Amsterdam Astronauts who play in the Dutch premier division and play their games in the Sporthallen Zuid, near the Olympic Stadium. Salegy is a popular music form. The city also has a baseball team, the Amsterdam pirates who play in the Dutch Major League. Muslims are divided between those of Malagasy ethnicity, Indo-Pakistanis, and Comorians. In speed skating many international championships have been fought in the 400-meter lane of this ice rink. In the coastal regions of the provinces of Mahajanga and Antsiranana (Diego Suarez), Muslims constitute a significant minority. The Amstel Tijgers play in this arena in the Dutch ice hockey premier league.

The best example of this is the Malagasy Council of Churches (FFKM) comprised of the four oldest and most prominent christian denominations (Roman Catholic, Reformed Protestant, Lutheran and Anglican). Amsterdam also is home to a famous ice rink, the Jaap Eden baan. Many of the Christian churches are influential in politics. The Olympic Stadium built for the occasion has been completely restored and is now used for cultural and sporting events. The Roman Catholic church is open to its members continuing these practices, while more conservative protestant denominations tend to condemn them to be superstitions or demon worship that should be abandoned. In 1928, Amsterdam hosted the Games of the IXth Olympiad. They also may invite a pastor to attend a famadihana. The team shares that facility with the Amsterdam Admirals, an American football team.

Many incorporate the cult of the dead with their religious beliefs and bless their dead at church before proceeding with the traditional burial rites. Its home base is the modern stadium Amsterdam ArenA, located in the south-east of the city. About 45% of the Malagasy are Christian, divided almost evenly between Roman Catholics and Protestants. Amsterdam is the home town of Ajax, a team in the Dutch Football League. In this ritual, relatives' remains are removed from the family tomb, rewrapped in new silk shrouds, and returned to the tomb following festive ceremonies in their honor. It handles about 42 million passengers a year and is home base to KLM. The Merina and Betsileo reburial practice of famadihana, or "turning over the dead" celebrate this spiritual communion. Schiphol, about twenty minutes by train from downtown Amsterdam, is the biggest airport in the Netherlands, and the fourth largest in Europe.

They believe that the dead join their ancestors in the ranks of divinity and that ancestors are intensely concerned with the fate of their living descendants. In the city centre, driving a car is complicated by traffic jams and limited and expensive parking space. The Merina in the highlands particularly tend to hold tightly to this practice. Bike racks are ubiquitous throughout the city. Approximately half of the country's population practices traditional religions, which tend to emphasize links between the living and the dead. Most main streets have bike paths. Many Peace Corps volunteers are serving to further this effort and train teachers. Many people in Amsterdam use a bicycle to get around.

English is becoming more widely spoken and in 2003 the government began a pilot project of introducing the teaching of English into the primary grades of 44 schools, with hopes of taking the project nationwide. (See also Gemeentelijk Vervoerbedrijf, Amsterdam metro.). French is spoken among the educated population of this former French colony. A new underground line, the North/South Line (Noord/Zuidlijn) is under construction. The Malagasy language is of Malayo-Polynesian origin and is generally spoken throughout the island. One incident was a planned bombing of the Venserpolder station, that led to a political scandal when mayor Ivo Samkalden and everyone in the city council, except for Roel van Duijn, instantly and erroneously blamed the left-wing protesters, which was exactly the objective of the right-wing bombers. The largest coastal groups are the Betsimisaraka (1.5 million) and the Tsimihety and Sakalava (700,000 each). The metro was still built (wall decorations at the Nieuwmarkt station are dedicated to the protests), but plans to build a highway through the neighbourhood in the centre of Amsterdam were abolished.

Asian features are most predominant in the central highlands people, the Merina (3 million) and the Betsileo (2 million); the coastal people (called côtiers) are of more clearly African origin. During the construction of the Amsterdam metro, plans to demolish the entire Jewish neighbourhood near the Nieuwmarkt led to strong protests. Subsequent migrations from both the Pacific and Africa further consolidated this original mixture, and 36 separate tribal groups emerged. Public transport in Amsterdam consists of:. The Malagasy language shares some 90% of its basic vocabulary with the Maanyan language from the region of the Barito River in southern Borneo. Amsterdam's Hortus Botanicus, founded in the early 1600s, is one of the oldest botanical gardens in the world, with many old and rare specimens, amongst which the coffee plant that served as the parent for the entire coffee culture in Central and South America. Recent DNA research shows that the Malagasy are approximately of half Malay and half East African stock, although some Arab, Indian and European influence is present along the coast. Amsterdam's International Institute of Social History is one of the world's largest documentary and research institutions concerning social history, and especially the history of the labour movement.

Recent research suggests that the island was uninhabited until Malay seafarers arrived between about 2,000 to 1,500 years ago. Other institutions for higher education include an art school, De Rietveldacademie, the Hogeschool van Amsterdam, the Hogeschool voor Economische Studies Amsterdam and the Amsterdamse Hogeschool voor de Kunsten, which includes the Sweelinck Conservatorium. Madagascar's population is predominantly of mixed Asian and African origin, though those who are visibly Asian in appearance and culture are the minority, found in the highland regions. Amsterdam has two universities: the University of Amsterdam (Universiteit van Amsterdam), and the Vrije Universiteit. He has consciously sought to strengthen relations with Anglophone countries as a means of balancing traditionally strong French influence. See also: List of mayors of Amsterdam. President Ravalomanana has stated that he welcomes relations with all countries interested in helping Madagascar to develop. Local decisions are made at borough level, and only affairs pertaining to the whole city, such as major infrastructure projects, are handled by the central city council.

More recently, President Ravalomanana has cultivated strong links with the United States, and Madagascar was the first country to benefit from the Millenium Challenge Account (MCA). The fifteenth, Westerpoort, covers the harbour of Amsterdam, has very few inhabitants, and is governed by the central municipal council. Active relationships with Europe, especially France, Germany, and Switzerland, as well as with Britain, Russia, Japan, India, and China have been strong since independence. Fourteen of these have their own council, chosen by a popular election. It enjoys closer and generally good relations with its Indian Ocean neighbors -- Mauritius, Réunion, and Comoros. The stadsdelen are responsible for many activities that previously had been run by the central city. External relations reflect this trend, although Madagascar's physical isolation and strong traditional insular orientation have limited its activity in regional economic organizations and relations with its East African neighbors. However, unlike most other Dutch municipalities, Amsterdam is subdivided into fifteen stadsdelen (boroughs), a system that was implemented in the 1980s to improve local governance.

Starting in 1997, globalization encouraged the government and President Ratsiraka to adhere to market-oriented policies and to engage world markets. As all Dutch municipalities, Amsterdam is governed by a mayor, his wethouders (aldermen), and the municipal council. Early in his tenure, he established formal ties with South Korea and sent emissaries to Morocco. Main article: Amsterdam (municipality). Taking office in 1993, President Albert Zafy expressed his desire for diplomatic relations with all countries. The Westertoren also features the imperial crown. From 1978 until 1991, then-President Ratsiraka emphasized independence and nonalignment and followed an "all points" policy stressing ties with socialist and radical regimes, including North Korea, Cuba, Libya, and Iran. The crown was a sign of imperial protection and acted as a seal of approval for Amsterdam merchants abroad.

Madagascar, which has historically been perceived as on the margin of mainstream African affairs, eagerly rejoined the African Union in July 2003 after a 14-month hiatus triggered by the 2002 political crisis. The crown was awarded to the city in 1489 by Maximilian I, Holy Roman Emperor, out of gratitude for services and loans. A large mining investment by Rio Tinto in the Fort Dauphin region, to exploit ilmenite (titanium dioxide), is expected by late 2005, and other projects in ilmenite (Ticor/Kumba in Tulear) and nickel (Dynatec/Implats near Tamatave) could also be launched in the coming months. The lions were added in the sixteenth century. Mining investment is beginning to take off following the introduction of a new law opening the country up to foreign mining companies. The city's official motto, Heldhaftig, Vastberaden, Barmhartig ("Valiant, Resolute, Merciful") which is displayed on the coat of arms, was bestowed on it by Queen Wilhelmina in 1947 in recognition of the city's bravery during World War II. Agricultural exports consist of low volume high value products like vanilla, litchies and essential oils. Historians believe they represent the three dangers which have traditionally plagued the city: flood, fire, and pestilence.

Exports from the EPZs, located around Antananarivo and Antsirabe, consist the most part of garment manufacture, targeting the US market under AGOA and the European markets under the Everything But Arms (EBA) agreement. The coat of arms of Amsterdam is composed of three St Andrew's crosses, aligned vertically, but rotated 90 degrees for the flag. Tourism targets the niche eco-tourism market, capitalizing on Madagascar's unique biodiversity, unspoiled natural habitats, and lemur species. Most of the trees in Amsterdam were cut down for fuel. Madagascar's sources of growth are tourism; textile and light manufacturing exports (notably through the EPZs); agricultural products (the country is the world's leading producer of vanilla, accounting for about half the world's export market); and mining. Many inhabitants of the city had to travel to the countryside to collect food. Some recent concerns have arisen about the confict of interest between the policies pursued by President and the activities his firms, most notably with preferential treatment for rice imports initiated by the government in late 2004 responding to a production shortfall in the country. In the last months of the war communication with the rest of the country broke down and food and fuel became scarce.

President Ravalomanana rose to prominence through his agro-foods TIKO company, and is known for attempting to apply many of the lessons learned in the world of business to running the government. Only 5,000 Jews survived the war. 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. More than 80,000 Jews were deported to concentration camps, of whom perhaps the most famous was a young German girl, Anne Frank. The U.S.-Madagascar Business Council was formed in the United States in May 2003, and the two organizations continue to explore ways to work for the benefit of both groups. The Germans installed a Nazi civilian government in Amsterdam that cooperated in the persecution of Jews. Business Council was formed in Madagascar in 2002. Germany invaded the Netherlands in 10 May 1940, taking control of the country after five days of fighting.

The Madagascar-U.S. In riots caused by the shortages several people were killed. In October 2004, the boards of the IMF and the World Bank determined that Madagascar had reached the completion point under the enhanced HIPC Initiative. Amsterdam suffered a food shortage and heating fuel became scarce. The boards of the IMF 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. During World War I, the Netherlands remained neutral. In 2000, Madagascar embarked on the preparation of a Poverty Reduction Strategy Paper (PRSP) under the Heavily Indebted Poor Countries (HIPC) Initiative. Shortly before the First World War the city began expanding and new suburbs were built.

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. Amsterdam's population grew significantly during this period. Donor countries demonstrated their confidence in the new government by pledging $1 billion in assistance over five years. New museums, a train station, and the Concertgebouw were built. 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 World Bank in Paris in July 2002. The end of the 19th century is sometimes called Amsterdam's second Golden Age. Following the 2002 political crisis, the government attempted to set a new course and build confidence, in coordination with international financial institutions and the donor community. Between 1850 and 1900 population doubled to about 500,000.

In 2005 inflation was brought under control by tight monetary policy (the "Taux Directeur", or central bank rate, was raised to 16% and reserve requirements for banks tightened), and growth will reach around 6.5% in 2005. They gave the economy a big boost. Currency depreciation and rising inflation in 2004 have hampered economic performance, but growth for the year reached 5.3 percent, with inflation reaching around 25% at the end of the year. Both projects improved communication with the rest of Europe and the world dramatically. Following resolution of the crisis, the economy rebounded with GDP growth of over 10% in 2003. The Amsterdam-Rhine Canal was dug to give Amsterdam a direct connection to the Rhine and the North Sea Canal to give the port a shorter connection to the North Sea. Real GDP dropped 12.7% for the year 2002, inflows of foreign investment dropped sharply, and the crisis tarnished Madagascar's budding reputation as an AGOA standout and a promising place to invest. At the end of the 19th century the Industrial Revolution reached Amsterdam.

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. In Amsterdam new developments were started by people like Sarphati who found their inspiration in Paris. During the period of solid growth from 1997 through 2001, poverty levels remained stubbornly high, especially in rural areas. However, with the establishment of the Kingdom of the Netherlands in 1815, things slowly began to improve. Although structural reforms advanced, governance remained weak and perceived corruption in Madagascar was extremely high. During the Napoleonic Wars Amsterdam's fortunes reached their lowest point. 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 and EPZ development. The wars of the Dutch Republic with the United Kingdom and France took their toll on Amsterdam.

An initial privatization program (1988-1993) and the development of an export processing zone (EPZ) regime in the early 1990s were key milestones in this effort. The 18th and early 19th centuries saw a decline in Amsterdam's prosperity. Structural reforms began in the late 1980s, initially under pressure from international financial institutions, notably the World Bank. During the century before World War II it almost quadrupled, but then remained fairly constant again to this day. The eastern, or windward side of the island is home to tropical rainforests, while the western and southern sides of the island, which lie in the rain shadow of the central highlands, are home to tropical dry forests, thorn forests, and deserts and xeric shrublands. Thereafter, the population did not change much for another century and a half. Madagascar's 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". The population grew from slightly over 10,000 around 1500 to 30,000 around 1570, 60,000 around 1600, 105,000 in 1622 and almost 200,000 around 1700 (a twenty fold increase in 200 years).

Southeastern trade winds dominate, and there are occasional cyclones. Amsterdam's stock exchange was the first to trade continuously. There are two seasons: it is hot and rainy from November to April, and cooler and dry from May to October. Amsterdam was the most important point for the trans-shipment of goods in Europe and it was the leading financial centre of the world. The west coast has many protected harbors and broad plains, while the southwest is a plateau and desert region. These companies acquired the overseas possessions which formed the seeds of the later Dutch colonies. The Tsaratanana Massif in the north has volcanic mountains. Amsterdam's merchants had the biggest share in the VOC and WIC.

The east coast of Madagascar has lowlands leading to steep bluffs and central highlands. Ships sailed from Amsterdam to North America, Africa and present-day Indonesia and Brazil and formed the basis of a worldwide trading network. The 22 regions by province:. In the early 17th century Amsterdam was the richest city in Europe. They are:. The 17th century is considered Amsterdam's "Golden Age". Madagascar is divided into six autonomous provinces (faritany mizakatena), each named for their capital. It was the rich, refined migrants from Flanders who set the tone (their Brabant dialects became the basis of standard written Dutch) and made Holland a mercantile power.

It appears that the departments will be based on the Fivondronampokontany, although it is unclear whether they are already in place and what it means that the assets will be taken over by the regions. The Dutch Republic became known for its relative religious tolerance and Jews from Spain and Portugal, prosperous merchants from Antwerp (economic and religious refugees from the part of the Low Countries still controlled by Spain), Huguenots from France (persecuted for their religion) sought safety in Amsterdam. The departments are not mentioned in the law, instead the designation "components" of the regions is used. The 16th century brought a rebellion by the Dutch against Philip II of Spain and his successors, escalating into the Eighty Years' War which ultimately led to Dutch independence. It is also mentioned that the communes are the only entities that are operational, and there will be an unspecified period of transition to the new system. From the 14th century on, Amsterdam flourished, largely on the basis of trade with the cities of the Hanseatic League. The regions will also take over the assets of the "ex-Fivondronampokontany". It was given city rights in 1300 or 1301.

Although they are subdivisions of the provinces, they are representatives (and representing the people) of the republic, not the province. The damming of the river Amstel gave it its name. Meanwhile the 28 regions originally proposed had become 22. According to legend Amsterdam was founded by two Frisian fishermen, who landed on the shores of the Amstel in a small boat with their dog. 2004-001. Amsterdam was founded as a fishing village in the 13th century. In 2004, the regions were finally created by the national assembly in law no. Main article: History of Amsterdam.

This effectively means that the autonomous provinces have ceased to exist as such, although it remains unclear whether they will remain in place. . The new president, Ravalomanana, replaced the provincial governments by special delegations, appointed by the president. Although Amsterdam is the capital of the Netherlands, it is neither the capital of the province in which it is located, North Holland (which is Haarlem), nor the seat of government (which is The Hague). During the power struggle after the presidential elections in 2001, five of those provinces, whose governors supported Ratsiraka, declared themselves independent from the republic. Notable are also its red-light district, de Wallen, and its numerous "coffee shops" selling cannabis. The autonomous provinces, having the same names and territories as the already existing provinces, were created in 2000. The city is noted for many outstanding museums, including the Rijksmuseum, the Van Gogh Museum, the Stedelijk Museum, Rembrandt House Museum, the Anne Frank House, and its world-class symphony orchestra, the Concertgebouworkest, whose home base is the Concertgebouw.

With Didier Ratsiraka back in power, the constitution was changed in 1998, to include and specifically mention six autonomous provinces, divided into undefined regions and communes. Some of the narrow brick houses are gradually sinking because they are built on piles to cope with the marshy subsoil. The communes were created in 1996. Many fine houses and mansions are situated along the canals; most are lived in, others are now offices, and some are public buildings. In the law passed by the national assembly in 1994, three such entity levels were defined: region (faritra), department (departemanta) and commune (kaominina). At this time, a series of concentric, semi-circular canals were built around the older city centre, which still defines its layout and appearance today. The name, number, and limits of territorial entities should be determined by law. Amsterdam has one of the largest historic city centres in Europe, dating largely from the 17th century, the Golden Age of the Netherlands, of which it was the focal point.

The constitution of 1992 ruled that the country should be organized in decentralized territorial entities. As of 2005, the population of the city proper is 742,951^[1]; the population of the greater Amsterdam area is approximately one and a half million. During the second republic, the country was divided into five levels:. Founded in the late 12th century as a small fishing village on the banks of the Amstel, it is now the largest city in the country and its financial and cultural centre. Madagascar is also part of the Indian Ocean Commission. Amsterdam, (pronunciation (help·info)) the capital of the Netherlands, lies on the banks of two bodies of water, the IJ bay and the Amstel river. The Constitutional Court approves the constitutionality of new laws. ^  City of Amsterdam statistics service in Dutch.

For its part, the National Assembly can pass a motion of censure and require the prime minister and council of ministers to step down. Cannabis Cup, mid-November annual cannabis competition, hosted by High Times. The president can dissolve the National Assembly. Sail Amsterdam, a five-yearly event, when tall ships from all over the world can be visited. The prime minister and members of Parliament initiate legislation, and the government executes it. Amsterdam Marathon, mid-October. The president appoints the prime minister. Amsterdam Pride, mid-August, gay pride weekend.

A prime minister and council of ministers carries out day-to-day management of government. International music festival. The Senate consists of 90 senators, two-thirds elected by local legislators and other Grand Electors and one-third appointed by the president, all for 6-year terms. Amsterdam Roots, last week of June. The last election was held in December 2002. Uitmarkt, last weekend in August, the start of the cultural season. The National Assembly consists of 160 representatives elected by direct vote every 5 years. Koninginnedag, Queen's day, 30 April, the former Queen's (Juliana) birthday.

The president is elected by direct universal suffrage for a 5-year term, renewable twice. a Fast Flying Ferry towards Velsen-Zuid on the North Sea shore. The principal institutions of the Republic of Madagascar are a presidency, a parliament (National Assembly and Senate), a prime ministry and cabinet, and an independent judiciary. several ferries for pedestrians and cyclists across the IJ (free of charge). In March 1998, Malagasy voters approved a revised Constitution. 55 bus lines (not included regional and national lines). Financing and specific powers for the regional administrations remain to be clarified. An express tram line (IJtram).

In September 2004, the Government named 22 Regional Chiefs, reporting directly to the President, to implement its decentralization plans. 16 tram lines. Subsequent legislation established a structure of 22 regions to decentralize administration. 3 metro lines and 1 light rail line, together the Amsterdam metro. Following the crisis of 2002, the President replaced provincial governors with appointed PDSs (Presidents des Delegations Speciales). national and international train connections. November 2003 municipal elections were conducted freely, returning a majority of supporters of the president, but also significant numbers of independent and regional opposition figures.

December 2002 legislative elections gave his newly formed TIM (Tiako-I-Madagasikara) (I Love Madagascar) Party a commanding majority in the National Assembly. After the end of the 2002 political crisis, President Ravalomanana began many reform projects, forcefully advocating "rapid and durable development" and the launching of a battle against corruption. Ratsiraka is from the coastal Betsimisaraka tribe and Ravalomanana comes from the highland Merina tribe. In addition to political differences, ethnic differences played a role in the crisis and continue to play a role in politics.

Sporadic violence and considerable economic disruption continued until July 2002 when Ratsiraka and several of his prominent supporters fled to exile in France. A political crisis followed in which Ratsiraka supporters cut major transport routes from the primary port city to the capital city, a stronghold of Ravalomanana support. Marc Ravalomanana contested the results and claimed victory. The Ministry of the Interior declared incumbent Ratsiraka of the AREMA party victorious.

In December 2001, a presidential election was held in which both major candidates claimed victory. A National Assembly dominated by members of President Ratsiraka'a political party AREMA subsequently passed the 1998 Constitution, which considerably strengthened the presidency. After President Zafy's impeachment by the National Assembly in 1996 and the short quasi-presidency of Norbert Ratsirahonana, the 1997 elections once again pitted Zafy and Ratsiraka, with Ratsiraka this time emerging victorious. Zafy was sworn in as President on March 27, 1993.

Runoff elections were held in February 1993, and the leader of the Hery Velona movement, Albert Zafy, defeated Ratsiraka. Presidential elections were held on November 25, 1992, after the High Constitutional Court had ruled, over Hery Velona objections, that Ratsiraka could become a candidate. The text of the new Constitution was put to a nationwide referendum in August 1992 and approved by a wide margin, despite efforts by federalists to disrupt balloting in several coastal areas. Troops guarding the proceedings clashed with pro-Ratsiraka "federalists" who tried to disrupt the forum in protest of draft constitutional provisions preventing the incumbent president from running again.

In March 1992, a widely representative National Forum organized by the FFKM (Malagasy Christian Council of Churches) drafted a new Constitution. The High Constitutional Court was retained as the ultimate judicial arbiter of the process. The resulting "Panorama Convention" of October 31, 1991, stripped Ratsiraka of nearly all of his powers, created interim institutions, and set an 18-month timetable for completing a transition to a new form of constitutional government. In an increasingly weakened position, Ratsiraka acceded to negotiations on the formation of a transitional government.

In response to largely peaceful mass demonstrations and crippling general strikes, Ratsiraka replaced his prime minister in August 1991 but suffered an irreparable setback soon thereafter when his troops fired on peaceful demonstrators marching on Iavoloha, the suburban presidential palace, killing more than 30. A number of already existing political parties and their leaders, among them Albert Zafy and Rakotoniaina Manandafy, anchored this movement which was especially strong in Antananarivo and the surrounding high plateau. These, along with political reforms like the elimination of press censorship in 1989 and the formation of more political parties in 1990, were insufficient to placate a growing opposition movement known as Hery Velona ("Active Forces"). In response to a deteriorating economy, Ratsiraka relaxed socialist economic policies and instituted some liberal, private-sector reforms.

With an easing of restrictions on political expression, beginning in the late 1980s, the Ratsiraka regime came under increasing pressure to make fundamental changes. For much of this period, only limited and restrained political opposition was tolerated, with no direct criticism of the president permitted in the press. National elections in 1982 and 1989 returned Ratsiraka for a second and third 7-year presidential term. During this period a strategy of nationalization of private enterprises, centralization of the economy and "Malgasization" of the education system crippled the economy, leaving traces even today of a highly centralized economic system and a high level of illiteracy.

During the 16 subsequent years of President Ratsiraka's rule, Madagascar continued under a government committed to revolutionary socialism based on the 1975 Constitution establishing a highly centralized state. A provisional military directorate then ruled until a new government was formed in June 1975, under Didier Ratsiraka. Richard Ratsimandrava, who was assassinated 6 days later. Col.

Gabriel Ramanantsoa, resigned on February 5, 1975, handing over executive power to Lt. The unrest continued, and Tsiranana's successor, Gen. However, he resigned only 2 months later in response to massive antigovernment demonstrations. Madagascar's first President, Philibert Tsiranana, was elected when his Social Democratic Party gained power at independence in 1960 and was reelected without opposition in March 1972.

A period of provisional government ended with the adoption of a constitution in 1959 and full independence on June 26, 1960. The Malagasy Republic was proclaimed on October 14, 1958, as an autonomous state within the French Community. The French subsequently established reformed institutions in 1956 under the Loi Cadre (Overseas Reform Act), and Madagascar moved peacefully toward independence. In 1947, with French prestige at low ebb, a nationalist uprising was suppressed after several months of bitter fighting.

The Free French received the island from the United Kingdom in 1943. British troops occupied the strategic island in 1942 to preclude its seizure by the Japanese. After France fell to Germany, the Vichy government administered Madagascar. Action on the plan was never begun.

Immediately preceding the fall of France, Germany initiated planning to forcibly deport all of Europe's Jews to Madagascar in what was known as the Madagascar Plan. During World War II, Malagasy troops fought in France, Morocco, and Syria. Before leaving port the Russian sailors were required to put ashore the animals they had acquired, including monkeys, boa constrictors and one crocodile. In December 1904, the Russian Baltic Fleet stopped at Diego Suarez for coal and provisions before sailing on to its doomed encounter with the Japanese Fleet in the Battle of Tsushima.

Absolute French control over Madagascar was established by military force in 1895-1896, and the Merina monarchy was abolished. The British accepted the imposition of a French protectorate over Madagascar in 1885 in return for eventual control over Zanzibar (now part of Tanzania) and as part of an overall definition of spheres of influence in the area. British influence remained strong for several decades, during which the Merina court was converted to Presbyterianism, Congregationalism, and Anglicanism. In return, the island received British military and financial assistance.

In 1817, the Merina ruler and the British governor of Mauritius concluded a treaty abolishing the slave trade, which had been important in Madagascar's economy. Beginning in the 1790s, Merina rulers succeeded in establishing hegemony over the major part of the island, including the coast. For a short time the Betsimisaraka of the east coast also unified, but this unification was short lived. But with the domination of the Indian Ocean by the British fleet and the end of the Arab slave trade, the Sakalava would lose their power to the emerging Merina threat.

The influence of the Sakalava extended across what is now the provinces of Antsiranana, Mahajanga and Toliara. Among these were the Sakalava chiefdoms of the Menabe, centered in what is now the town of Morondava, and of Boina, centered in what is now the provincial capital of Mahajanga (Majunga). Large chiefdoms began to dominate considerable areas of the island. During the Middle Ages, the chiefs of the different settlements on the island began to extend their power through trade with Madagascar's Indian Ocean neighbors, notably North Africa, the Middle-east and India.

From about 1774 to 1824, it was a favorite haunt for pirates, including Americans, one of whom brought Malagasy rice to South Carolina. In the late 17th century, the French established trading posts along the east coast. European contact began in the 1500s, when Portuguese sea captain Diego Dias sighted the island after his ship became separated from a fleet going to India. The written history of Madagascar began in the 7th century, when Arabs established trading posts along the northwest coast.

. The adjective and noun (language, ethnicity and citizenship) derived from Madagascar is Malagasy. Among its most notable examples of biodiversity are the lemur family of primates, three endemic bird families and its baobab trees. It is the home of five percent of the world's plant and animal species, 80 percent of them unique to Madagascar.

The main island, also called Madagascar, is the fourth largest island in the world. The Republic of Madagascar, or Madagascar, is an island nation in the Indian Ocean, off the eastern coast of Africa. Transportation in Madagascar. Military of Madagascar.

Foreign relations of Madagascar. Communications in Madagascar. US State Department [2]. CIA World Factbook [1].

American Journal of Human Genetics, 76:894-901, 2005.. The Dual Origin of the Malagasy in Island Southeast Asia and East Africa: Evidence from Maternal and Paternal Lineages. Hules, et al (2005). Matthew E.

According to the latest census data, the majority of Malagasy citizens (about 52%) practice indigenous religious beliefs rather than world religions. The situation reversed itself when the company reintroduced its classic formula. The Malagasy economy took a brief downturn during the 1980s when Coca-Cola, the world's leading purchaser of vanilla, switched to the New Coke formula that contained synthetic vanillin. Both nations instead use multiples of five.

Madagascar and Mauritania are the only countries in the world not to use decimal-based currency. List of writers from Madagascar. Music of Madagascar. Tootiorou.

Menabe. Tasimo Andrefana. Anosy. Androy.

Toliara