Madagascar Travel Guide

Country Facts

Location

Indian Ocean, east of Mozambique.

Language

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

Area

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

Time Zone

GMT + 3.

Electricity

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

Population

19.4 million (CIA estimate 2007).

Population Density

33.1 per sq km.

Capital City

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

Government

Republic since 1992. Gained independence from France in 1960.

Head of Government

Prime Minister Albert Camille Vital since 2009.

Head of State

President Andry Rajoelina since 2009.

Religion

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

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.

Communications

Telephone

Country Code: +261. Country code: 261. For cheap calls buy a telephone card and use a public telephone booth. 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 but is scarce in rural areas.

Internet

Public Internet access exists in large cities; there are a few Internet cafés in Antananarivo but connections tend to be slow.

Media

Ousted President Ravalomanana owns the Malagasy Broadcasting System, which operates MBS TV and Radio MBS. Many private radio stations in the capital are owned by pro-Ravalomanana politicians. Although nationwide radio and TV broadcasting remain the monopoly of the state, there are hundreds of private local radio and TV stations. A boom in privately-owned FM radio stations and more critical political reporting by the print media followed a 1990s law on press freedom. However, during the island’s recent political turmoil many Malagasy journalists have faced censorship, threats, and arrest for reporting contentious issues or voicing critical opinion.

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.

Public Holidays

Below are listed Public Holidays for the January 2011-December 2012 period.
2010
25 Dec Christmas Day

2011
1 Jan New Year’s Day
29 Mar Commemoration of the 1947 Rebellion
25 Apr Easter Monday
1 May Labor Day
2 Jun Ascension Day
26 Jun Independence Day
15 Aug Assumption
1 Nov All Saints’ Day
25 Dec Christmas Day

2012
1 Jan New Year’s Day
29 Mar Commemoration of the 1947 Rebellion
9 Apr Easter Monday
1 May Labor Day
17 May Ascension Day
26 Jun Independence Day
15 Aug Assumption
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

16 Hanover Square, Mayfair, London, W1S 1HT
Tel: (020) 7016 7824.
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.