Madagascar

CE5

Madagascar mădˌəgăsˈcär [key], officially Republic of Madagascar, republic (2015 est. pop. 24,234,000), 226,658 sq mi (587,045 sq km), in the Indian Ocean, separated from E Africa by the Mozambique Channel. Madagascar is the world's fourth largest island. The country also claims several small islands including the French possessions of Juan de Nova Island, Europa Island, the Glorioso Islands, Tromelin Island, and Bassas da India. The capital and largest city is Antananarivo.

Sections in this article:

• Introduction
• The New Madagascar
• Colonialism, Independence, and One-Man Rule
• Early History to the End of Native Monarchy
• Government
• Economy
• Land and People
• Bibliography

The Columbia Electronic Encyclopedia, 6th ed. Copyright © 2024, Columbia University Press. All rights reserved.

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