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Communications

Broadcast media (Radio) [time series]

broadcast stations: AM 17, FM 3, shortwave 0 radios: NA

Telecommunication systems (Telephone system) [time series]

NA telephones; above average system local: NA intercity: open-wire lines, coaxial cables, microwave radio relay, and tropospheric scatter links international: submarine cable to Bahrain; 1 earth station for Indian Ocean INTELSAT

Broadcast media (Television) [time series]

broadcast stations: 1 (repeaters 36) televisions: NA

Defense Forces

Military and security forces (Branches) [time series]

Popular Armed Forces (includes Intervention Forces, Development Forces, Aeronaval Forces - includes Navy and Air Force), Gendarmerie, Presidential Security Regiment

Military expenditures (Defense expenditures) [time series]

exchange rate conversion - $35 million, 1.3% of GDP (1991) MALAWI

Manpower availability [time series]

males age 15-49 3,027,156; males fit for military service 1,800,127; males reach military age (20) annually 130,071 (1995 est.)

Economy

Agricultural products (Agriculture) [time series]

accounts for 31% of GDP; cash crops - coffee, vanilla, sugarcane, cloves, cocoa; food crops - rice, cassava, beans, bananas, peanuts; cattle raising widespread; almost self-sufficient in rice

Budget [time series]

revenues: $250 million expenditures: $265 million, including capital expenditures of $180 million (1991 est.)

Exchange rates (Currency) [time series]

1 Malagasy franc (FMG) = 100 centimes

Economic aid [time series]

recipient: US commitments, including Ex-Im (FY70-89), $136 million; Western (non-US) countries, ODA and OOF bilateral commitments (1970-89), $3.125 billion; Communist countries (1970-89), $491 million

Electricity [time series]

capacity: 220,000 kW production: 560 million kWh consumption per capita: 40 kWh (1993)

Exchange rates [time series]

Malagasy francs (FMG) per US$1 - 3,718.0 (November 1994), 1,913.8 (1993), 1,864.0 (1992), 1,835.4 (1991), 1,454.6 (December 1990)

Exports [time series]

$240 million (f.o.b., 1993 est.) commodities: coffee 45%, vanilla 20%, cloves 11%, shellfish, sugar, petroleum products partners: France, US, Germany, Japan, Russia

Debt - external (External debt) [time series]

$4.3 billion (1993 est.)

Fiscal year [time series]

calendar year

Illicit drugs [time series]

illicit producer of cannabis (cultivated and wild varieties) used mostly for domestic consumption

Imports [time series]

$510 million (f.o.b., 1993 est.) commodities: intermediate manufactures 30%, capital goods 28%, petroleum 15%, consumer goods 14%, food 13% partners: France, Germany, Japan, UK, Italy, Netherlands

Industrial production growth rate (Industrial production) [time series]

growth rate 3.8% (1993 est.); accounts for 13% of GDP

Industries [time series]

agricultural processing (meat canneries, soap factories, breweries, tanneries, sugar refining plants), light consumer goods industries (textiles, glassware), cement, automobile assembly plant, paper, petroleum

Inflation rate (consumer prices) [time series]

35% (1994 est.)

Real GDP (purchasing power parity) (National product) [time series]

GDP - purchasing power parity - $10.6 billion (1994 est.)

Real GDP per capita (National product per capita) [time series]

$790 (1994 est.)

Real GDP growth rate (National product real growth rate) [time series]

2.8% (1994 est.)

Economic overview (Overview) [time series]

Madagascar is one of the poorest countries in the world, suffering from chronic malnutrition, underfunded health and education facilities, a 3% annual population growth rate, and severe loss of forest cover, accompanied by erosion. Agriculture, including fishing and forestry, is the mainstay of the economy, accounting for over 30% of GDP and contributing more than 70% of total export earnings. Industry is largely confined to the processing of agricultural products and textile manufacturing; in 1991 it accounted for only 13% of GDP. In 1986 the government introduced a five-year development plan that stressed self-sufficiency in food (mainly rice) by 1990, increased production for exports, and reduced energy imports. Subsequently, growth in output has been held back because of protracted antigovernment strikes and demonstrations for political reform. Since 1993, corruption and political instability have caused the economy and infrastructure to decay further. Since April 1994, the government commitment to economic reforms has been erratic. Enormous obstacles stand in the way of Madagascar's realizing its considerable growth potential.

Unemployment rate [time series]

NA%

Geography

Area [time series]

total area: 587,040 sq km land area: 581,540 sq km comparative area: slightly less than twice the size of Arizona

Climate [time series]

tropical along coast, temperate inland, arid in south

Coastline [time series]

4,828 km

Environment - current issues (Environment) [time series]

current issues: soil erosion results from deforestation and overgrazing; desertification; surface water contaminated with raw sewage and other organic wastes; several species of flora and fauna unique to the island are endangered natural hazards: periodic cyclones international agreements: party to - Endangered Species, Marine Life Conservation, Nuclear Test Ban; signed, but not ratified - Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Law of the Sea

Disputes - international (International disputes) [time series]

claims Bassas da India, Europa Island, Glorioso Islands, Juan de Nova Island, and Tromelin Island (all administered by France)

Irrigated land [time series]

9,000 sq km (1989 est.)

Land boundaries [time series]

0 km

Land use [time series]

arable land: 4% permanent crops: 1% meadows and pastures: 58% forest and woodland: 26% other: 11%

Location [time series]

Southern Africa, island in the Indian Ocean, east of Mozambique

Map references [time series]

Africa

Maritime claims [time series]

contiguous zone: 24 nm continental shelf: 200 nm or 100 nm from the 2,500-m isobath exclusive economic zone: 200 nm territorial sea: 12 nm

Natural resources [time series]

graphite, chromite, coal, bauxite, salt, quartz, tar sands, semiprecious stones, mica, fish

Note [time series]

world's fourth-largest island; strategic location along Mozambique Channel

Terrain [time series]

narrow coastal plain, high plateau and mountains in center

Government

Administrative divisions [time series]

6 provinces; Antananarivo, Antsiranana, Fianarantsoa, Mahajanga, Toamasina, Toliary

Capital [time series]

Antananarivo

Constitution [time series]

19 August 1992 by national referendum

Digraph [time series]

Diplomatic representation in the US (Diplomatic representation in US) [time series]

chief of mission: Ambassador Pierrot Jocelyn RAJAONARIVELO chancery: 2374 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008 telephone: [1] (202) 265-5525, 5526 consulate(s) general: New York

Executive branch [time series]

chief of state: President Albert ZAFY (since 9 March 1993); election last held on 10 February 1993 (next to be held 1998); results - Albert ZAFY (UNDD), 67%; Didier RATSIRAKA (AREMA), 33% head of government: Prime Minister Francisque RAVONY (since 9 August 1993) cabinet: Council of Ministers; appointed by the prime minister

Diplomatic representation in the US (FAX) [time series]

[261] (2) 345-39

Flag [time series]

two equal horizontal bands of red (top) and green with a vertical white band of the same width on hoist side

Independence [time series]

26 June 1960 (from France)

Judicial branch [time series]

Supreme Court (Cour Supreme), High Constitutional Court (Haute Cour Constitutionnelle)

Legal system [time series]

based on French civil law system and traditional Malagasy law; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction

Legislative branch [time series]

bicameral Parliament

International organization participation (Member of) [time series]

ACCT, ACP, AfDB, CCC, ECA, FAO, G-77, GATT, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, INTELSAT, INTERPOL, IOC, ITU, NAM, OAU, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNMIH, UPU, WCL, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO

Country name (Names) [time series]

conventional long form: Republic of Madagascar conventional short form: Madagascar local long form: Republique de Madagascar local short form: Madagascar former: Malagasy Republic

Legislative branch (National Assembly (Assemblee Nationale)) [time series]

elections last held on 16 June 1993 (next to be held June 1997); results - percent of vote by party NA; seats - (138 total) CFV coalition 76, PMDM/MFM 16, CSCD 11, Famima 10, RPSD 7, various pro-Ratsiraka groups 10, others 8

National holiday [time series]

Independence Day, 26 June (1960)

Political parties (Other political or pressure groups) [time series]

National Council of Christian Churches (FFKM); Federalist Movement

Political parties (Political parties and leaders) [time series]

Committee of Living Forces (CFV), an alliance of National Union for Development and Democracy (UNDD), Support Group for Democracy and Development in Madagascar (CSDDM), Action and Reflection Group for the Development of Madagascar (GRAD), Congress Party for Madagascar Independence - Renewal (AKFM-Fanavaozana), and some 12 other parties, trade unions, and religious groups; Militant Party for the Development of Madagascar (PMDM/MFM), formerly the Movement for Proletarian Power, Manandafy RAKOTONIRINA; Confederation of Civil Societies for Development (CSCD), Guy Willy RAZANAMASY; Association of United Malagasys (Famima); Rally for Social Democracy (RPSD), Pierre TSIRANANA

Legislative branch (Senate (Senat)) [time series]

two-thirds of upper house seats are to be filled from popularly elected regional assemblies; the remaining third is to be filled by presidential appointment; decentralization and formation of regional assemblies is not expected before 1997

Suffrage [time series]

18 years of age; universal

Government type (Type) [time series]

republic

Diplomatic representation from the US (US diplomatic representation) [time series]

chief of mission: Ambassador Dennis P. BARRETT embassy: 14-16 Rue Rainitovo, Antsahavola, Antananarivo mailing address: B. P. 620, Antananarivo telephone: [261] (2) 212-57, 200-89, 207-18

People

Age structure [time series]

0-14 years: 47% (female 3,231,647; male 3,265,715) 15-64 years: 50% (female 3,511,699; male 3,413,564) 65 years and over: 3% (female 225,205; male 214,495) (July 1995 est.)

Birth rate [time series]

44.82 births/1,000 population (1995 est.)

Death rate [time series]

12.99 deaths/1,000 population (1995 est.)

Ethnic groups (Ethnic divisions) [time series]

Malayo-Indonesian (Merina and related Betsileo), Cotiers (mixed African, Malayo-Indonesian, and Arab ancestry - Betsimisaraka, Tsimihety, Antaisaka, Sakalava), French, Indian, Creole, Comoran

Infant mortality rate [time series]

86.9 deaths/1,000 live births (1995 est.)

Labor force [time series]

total workers: 4.9 million workers not receiving money wages: 4.7 million (96% of total labor force); note - 4.3 million workers are in subsistence agriculture wage earners: 175,000 (3.6% of total work force) wage earners by occupation: agriculture 45,500, domestic service 29,750, industry 26,250, commerce 24,500, construction 19,250, service 15,750, transportation 10,500, other 3,500 (1985 est.)

Languages [time series]

French (official), Malagasy (official)

Life expectancy at birth [time series]

total population: 54.45 years male: 52.47 years female: 56.48 years (1995 est.)

Literacy [time series]

age 15 and over can read and write (1990 est.) total population: 80% male: 88% female: 73%

Nationality [time series]

noun: Malagasy (singular and plural) adjective: Malagasy

Net migration rate [time series]

0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1995 est.)

Population [time series]

13,862,325 (July 1995 est.)

Population growth rate [time series]

3.18% (1995 est.)

Religions [time series]

indigenous beliefs 52%, Christian 41%, Muslim 7%

Total fertility rate [time series]

6.62 children born/woman (1995 est.)

Transportation

Airports [time series]

total: 138 with paved runways over 3,047 m: 1 with paved runways 2,438 to 3,047 m: 2 with paved runways 1,524 to 2,437 m: 3 with paved runways 914 to 1,523 m: 21 with paved runways under 914 m: 42 with unpaved runways 1,524 to 2,438 m: 5 with unpaved runways 914 to 1,523 m: 64

Roadways (Highways) [time series]

total: 40,000 km paved: 4,694 km unpaved: gravel, crushed stone, stabilized earth 811 km; other earth 34,495 km (est.)

Waterways (Inland waterways) [time series]

of local importance only; isolated streams and small portions of Canal des Pangalanes

Merchant marine [time series]

total: 10 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 20,261 GRT/28,193 DWT ships by type: cargo 5, chemical tanker 1, liquefied gas tanker 1, oil tanker 1, roll-on/roll-off cargo 2

Ports [time series]

Antsiranana, Mahajanga, Port Saint-Louis, Toamasina, Toliaria

Railways (Railroads) [time series]

total: 1,020 km narrow gauge: 1,020 km 1.000-m gauge