Madagascar Country & Tourist Information

Location
Indian Ocean, east of Mozambique.

Area
587,041 sq km (226,658 sq miles).

Population
19.4 million (CIA estimate 2007).

Population Density
33.1 per sq km.

Capital
Antananarivo (formerly Tananarive).
Population: 1.5 million (2003 estimate).

Government
Republic since 1992. Gained independence from France in 1960.

Language
The official languages are Malagasy (which is related to Indonesian) and French. Local dialects are also spoken. English is not widely spoken.

Religion
52% follow animist beliefs; about 41% Christian; remainder Muslim.

Time
GMT + 3.

Electricity
Mostly 220 volts AC, 50Hz. Plugs are generally two-pin.

Head of Government
Prime Minister Charles Rabemananjara since 2007.

Head of State
President Marc Ravalomanana since 2002.

Recent History
President Marc Ravalomanana secured a second presidential term in December 2006, beating former prime minister Norbert Lala Ratsirahonan with 54.8% of the vote. He came to power in 2002 following a bitterly fought election in which then-incumbent Didier Ratsiraka refused to accept defeat. The country came close to civil war before Ratsiraka sought exile in France and Ravalomanana took power.

For his second term, Mr Ravalomanana has set out a ’bold and aggressive’ recovery program - the Madagascar Action Plan. It aims to cut poverty levels by 50% over five years.

Telephone
Country code: 261. The cheapest way to make phone calls is to use a telephone card and call from a telephone booth. Telephone cards can be purchased at post offices and most hotels.

Mobile Telephone
Roaming agreements exist with international mobile phone companies. Coverage reaches major cities and main roads.

Internet
Public Internet access exists in large cities; there are a few Internet cafes in Antananarivo.

Media
President Ravalomanana owns the private Malagasy Broadcasting System, which operates the MBS TV and Radio MBS networks. Although nationwide radio and TV broadcasting remain the monopoly of the state, there are hundreds of private local radio and TV stations. The 1990 law on press freedom encouraged a boom in privately owned FM radio stations and more critical political reporting by the print media. Many private radio stations in the capital are owned by pro-Ravalomanana politicians.

Post
Airmail to Europe takes at least seven days and surface mail three to four months.

Press
• There are no English-language newspapers.
• The main dailies are published in French and/or Malagasy.
• These include La Gazette de la Grande Ile, Madagascar Tribune and Midi Madagasikara.
• Feon’ny Merina is a weekly publication for Merina people of Malay origin. 

Radio
• Malagasy National Radio (RNM) is state-owned.
• Privately owned stations include Radio Don Bosco (Roman Catholic FM station), Radio Tsioka Vao and Radio Korail.
• Radio MBS is commerical and owned by Ravalomanana.

Below are listed Public Holidays for the January 2009-December 2010 period.

2009
1 Jan New Year's Day. 
13 Apr Easter Monday.
29 Mar Commemoration of the 1947 Rebellion. 
1 May Labor Day.
21 May Ascension Day.
26 Jun Independence Day.
15 Aug Assumption Day.
1 Nov All Saints' Day.
25 Dec Christmas Day.

2010
1 Jan New Year's Day.
5 Apr Easter Monday.
29 Mar Commemoration of the 1947 Rebellion. 
1 May Labor Day.
13 May Ascension Day.
26 Jun Independence Day.
15 Aug Assumption Day.
1 Nov All Saints' Day.
25 Dec Christmas Day.

Contact Information:

Office National du Tourisme de Madagascar (ONTM)
3 Rue Elysée Ravelontsalama, Ambatomena, BP 1780, Antananarivo 101, Madagascar
Tel: (20) 226 6085.
Website: www.madagascar-tourisme.com

Embassy of the Republic of Madagascar in the UK
8-10 Hallam Street, London W1W 6JE, UK
Tel: (020) 3008 4550.
Website: www.embassy-madagascar-uk.com
Opening hours: Mon-Fri 1000-1400.

Embassy of the Republic of Madagascar in the USA
2374 Massachusetts Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20008, USA
Tel: (202) 265 5525.


Next Page »

Related Madagascar Content