# Madagascar

> island sovereign state off the coast of Southeast Africa, in the Indian Ocean

**Wikidata**: [Q1019](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q1019)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Madagascar)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/madagascar

## Summary

Madagascar is a country located on the continent of Africa [1]. It was established on January 1, 1960 . As of 2024, the population of Madagascar is 32.0M [2].The country has a total area of 587k [3]. In terms of time, Madagascar operates on the time zone UTC+03:00 and Indian/Antananarivo [4].It has a sizable population and a significant land area.The country's establishment and geographical characteristics make it a distinct nation on the African continent.

## Summary
Madagascar is an island sovereign state located off the coast of Southeast Africa in the Indian Ocean, recognized as the world's fourth-largest island. With a total area of 587,295 square kilometers, it is a republic with a population exceeding 31 million as of 2024. The country gained independence from France in 1960 and is known for its unique biodiversity and cultural heritage.

## Key Facts
- **Area**: 587,295 square kilometers (as of 2019).
- **Capital**: Antananarivo.
- **Independence**: Achieved on June 26, 1960.
- **Government**: Republic with a presidential system.
- **Official Languages**: Malagasy and French.
- **Currency**: Ariary (since 2003), replacing the Malagasy franc.
- **Time Zone**: UTC+03:00 (Indian/Antananarivo).
- **Member Of**: United Nations, African Union, World Trade Organization, and others.
- **Highest Point**: Maromokotro at 2,876 meters.
- **Human Development Index (2021)**: 0.501 (medium human development).
- **Life Expectancy (2016)**: 65.93 years.
- **Gini Coefficient (2012)**: 42.6 (indicating income inequality).

## FAQs
- **What is Madagascar's geopolitical significance?**  
  Madagascar is a strategic island nation in the Indian Ocean, influencing regional trade and security dynamics. It is a member of key international organizations like the UN and African Union.

- **What are Madagascar's main languages and religions?**  
  The official languages are Malagasy and French. The majority practice Christianity, with significant traditional beliefs.

- **What environmental challenges does Madagascar face?**  
  Deforestation, soil erosion, and biodiversity loss threaten its unique ecosystems, including lemurs and fossa, found nowhere else on Earth.

- **What is Madagascar's economic profile?**  
  Agriculture dominates the economy, with key exports like vanilla, coffee, and cloves. It faces challenges like poverty and infrastructure gaps.

- **What are Madagascar's cultural highlights?**  
  The culture blends African, Asian, and European influences, reflected in music, dance, and the annual "Turning of the Bones" ritual.

## Why It Matters
Madagascar's significance lies in its unparalleled biodiversity, with over 90% of its wildlife found nowhere else, making it a critical site for conservation. Its strategic location in the Indian Ocean underscores its role in regional maritime security and trade. Economically, it contributes to global markets through unique agricultural products like vanilla, while its cultural heritage reflects a rich tapestry of influences. Challenges like deforestation and poverty highlight its need for sustainable development support.

## Notable For
- **Biodiversity Hotspot**: Home to unique species like lemurs, fossa, and a variety of flora.
- **Cultural Fusion**: Distinct blend of Southeast Asian, African, and European traditions.
- **Economic Potential**: Rich natural resources, including minerals and agricultural products.
- **Historical Significance**: Early human settlement and a history of political evolution from monarchy to republic.

## Body

### Geography and Environment
Madagascar, the fourth-largest island globally, is situated off Southeast Africa in the Indian Ocean. It spans 587,295 square kilometers, with diverse landscapes including rainforests, deserts, and highlands. The highest point, Maromokotro, reaches 2,876 meters, while the Indian Ocean forms its lowest point at sea level. The country faces environmental challenges such as deforestation and soil erosion, threatening its unique ecosystems.

### History and Politics
Independence from France was achieved on June 26, 1960. The political system is a republic with a presidential government. Current leadership includes President Michael Randrianirina (since 2025) and Prime Minister Ruphin Zafisambo (since 2025). Madagascar is a member of international organizations like the UN, African Union, and World Trade Organization.

### Demographics and Culture
As of 2024, the population exceeds 31 million, with a growth rate of 2.2%. The official languages are Malagasy and French, reflecting its cultural diversity. The culture blends African, Asian, and European influences, evident in traditions like the "Turning of the Bones" ritual. Christianity is predominant, alongside traditional beliefs.

### Economy
Agriculture drives the economy, with key exports including vanilla, coffee, and cloves. The GDP (nominal) was $14.95 billion in 2022. Challenges include poverty, with a 2022 unemployment rate of 4%, and infrastructure gaps. The currency, the ariary, replaced the Malagasy franc in 2003.

### International Relations
Madagascar maintains diplomatic relations with countries like Germany, Russia, and the U.S. It participates in regional bodies such as the Southern African Development Community and the Indian Ocean Commission, emphasizing its strategic role in Indian Ocean affairs.

### Infrastructure and Technology
The country uses right-hand traffic and has a mains voltage of 127/220V at 50Hz. Emergency numbers include 117 (police), 118 (fire), and 124 (medical). The top-level internet domain is .mg.

### Education and Health
Life expectancy in 2016 was 65.93 years, with a total fertility rate of 4.409 children per woman (2014). The literacy rate and healthcare access remain areas of development focus.

### Membership and Classifications
Madagascar is classified as a sovereign state, island country, unitary state, and republic. It is part of the African continent and participates in organizations like the Organisation internationale de la Francophonie.

### Notable Entities and Relationships
- **Capital**: Antananarivo serves as the political and cultural hub.
- **Related Organizations**: Member of the UN, African Union, and World Customs Organization.
- **Geopolitical Context**: Shares maritime boundaries with Comoros, France, Mozambique, and Seychelles.

### Unique Traits
Madagascar's isolation has led to the evolution of distinct flora and fauna, with over 90% of species endemic to the island. This uniqueness positions it as a global priority for conservation efforts.

## References

1. [Source](https://www.workwithdata.com/place/madagascar)
2. [Source](http://www.dw.de/explosion-in-madagascar-after-president-takes-oath/a-17387345)
3. [Source](https://2009-2017.state.gov/documents/organization/58379.pdf)
4. archINFORM
5. BnF authorities
6. [Source](https://data.iana.org/time-zones/tzdb-2020f/africa)
7. Lingua Libre
8. [Source](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/African_Development_Bank)
9. [Interpol](https://www.interpol.int/Member-countries/World)
10. [Source](https://www.interpol.int/Who-we-are/Member-countries/Africa/MADAGASCAR)
11. [Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons](https://www.opcw.org/about-opcw/member-states/)
12. [Source](https://www.opcw.org/about-us/member-states/madagascar)
13. [Source](http://www.unesco.org/eri/cp/ListeMS_Indicators.asp)
14. [Source](http://www.upu.int/en/the-upu/member-countries.html)
15. [Source](https://www.upu.int/en/Universal-Postal-Union/About-UPU/Member-Countries?csid=-1&cid=184)
16. [Source](https://www.itu.int/online/mm/scripts/gensel8)
17. [Source](https://public.wmo.int/en/members/madagascar)
18. [Source](https://www.who.int/choice/demography/by_country/en/)
19. [Source](https://www.wcoomd.org/-/media/wco/public/global/pdf/about-us/wco-members/list-of-members-with-membership-date.pdf)
20. [Source](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_parties_to_the_Treaty_on_the_Non-Proliferation_of_Nuclear_Weapons)
21. [Source](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/African_Continental_Free_Trade_Area#List_of_signatories_and_parties_to_the_agreement)
22. [Source](https://www.ncnk.org/sites/default/files/content/resources/publications/NCNK_Issue_Brief_DPRK_Diplomatic_Relations.pdf)
23. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
24. [Source](https://unstats.un.org/unsd/methodology/m49/)
25. FIPS 10-4
26. Virtual International Authority File
27. MusicBrainz
28. [Human Development Report. 2022](https://hdr.undp.org/data-center/human-development-index#/indicies/HDI)
29. World Bank Open Data
30. [World Bank Open Data](https://data.worldbank.org/indicator/SP.POP.TOTL)
31. [Source](https://data.worldbank.org/country/madagascar)
32. [Source](https://data.worldbank.org/indicator/SI.POV.GINI)
33. [Source](http://data.worldbank.org/indicator/SL.UEM.TOTL.ZS)
34. [Source](http://cnig.gouv.fr/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/CNT-PVM_r%C3%A9vis%C3%A9_2020-01-27-1.pdf)
35. The National Terminology Database for Irish
36. [Source](https://freedomhouse.org/report/freedom-world/freedom-world-2017)
37. [Source](http://chartsbin.com/view/edr)
38. [Madagascar en chiffre. Institut National de la Statistique](https://www.instat.mg/accueil/madagascar-en-chiffre/)
39. [World Bank](https://data.worldbank.org/indicator/NY.GDP.MKTP.CD)
40. [UNESCO Institute for Statistics](http://data.uis.unesco.org/Index.aspx?DataSetCode=DEMO_DS)
41. [UNESCO Institute for Statistics](http://data.uis.unesco.org/index.aspx?queryid=3372)
42. BabelNet
43. [International Numbering Resources Database](http://www.itu.int/net/itu-t/inrdb/e129_important_numbers.aspx)
44. [World Plugs](http://www.iec.ch/worldplugs/list_bylocation.htm)
45. UMLS 2023
46. [Source](https://countrycodebase.com/undp/)
47. [UNESCO Institute for Statistics](http://data.uis.unesco.org/index.aspx?queryid=239)
48. ASC Leiden Thesaurus dataset of 5 June 2018
49. [archINFORM](https://www.archinform.net/service/wd_aiort.php)
50. [Gazetteer](https://github.com/EnvironmentOntology/gaz/blob/master/src/ontology/gaz_countries.csv)