Madagascar – Education
The public school system comprises a five-year primary school, followed by a four-year and a three-year course. Many do not complete the compulsory schooling for 6-14 year olds. In addition to the public school system, there are private schools, which include approximately 17% of students. Higher education takes place partly at the country’s six universities, partly at other higher education institutions. The illiteracy of the adult population is estimated to be approximately 20%.
OFFICIAL NAME: Republic of Madagascar
CAPITAL CITY: Antananarivo
POPULATION: 23,200,000 (Source: COUNTRYaah)
AREA: 587,000 km²
OFFICIAL LANGUAGE (S): French, Malagasy
RELIGION: natives’ religions 52%, Catholics 21%, Protestants 20%, Muslims 7%
COIN: franc
CURRENCY CODE: MGF
ENGLISH NAME: Madagascar
INDEPENDENCE: 1960
POPULATION COMPOSITION: Madagascans 99% (divided into merina 27%, betsimisaraka 15%, betsileo 12% and 15 smaller groups), others 1%
GDP PER residents: $ 475 (2014)
LIFE EXPECTANCY: men 63.7 years, women 66.7 years (2014)
INDEX OF LIVING CONDITIONS, HDI: 0.498
INDEX OF LIVING CONDITIONS, POSITION: 155
INTERNET DOMAIN NAME: .mg
Madagascar is an independent republic and the world’s fourth largest island. Madagascar has a distinctive nature with many endemic plant and animal species. The population is very complex and includes Indonesian, Malay, African, Arabic and European elements. The country was a French colony from 1896 to 1960, and French language and culture continue to be widespread. Now it is one of the poorest countries in the world.
- AbbreviationFinder.org: Find two-letter abbreviation for each independent country and territory, such as MA which stands for Madagascar.
Madagascar – Constitution
The Federal Republic of Madagascar is from 1992 with extensive amendments from 1998. The Republic consists of six autonomous provinces (faritany), each of which has a provincial council with legislative power. They are elected by direct election for five years.
Republic legislative power rests with a bicameral parliament: A National Assembly with 160 members elected by universal suffrage for four-year periods, and a Senate with 100 members, of which 2/3 elected by the provincial assemblies, and 1/3 appointed by the President. They are elected for four years.
The executive power lies with the president, who is elected by direct election for five years and can be re-elected for a further two terms. The President appoints the Prime Minister and, on his recommendation, the other members of the Government. Check youremailverifier for Madagascar social condition facts.
Madagascar – Music
The traditional music influenced by the 16-21-stranded tubular zither, valiha used for religious ceremonies, and the whistle sodina. Modern music, watcha watcha and salegy, is based partly on local music, partly on western and pan-African popular music, and the valiha is part of both acoustic and electric ensembles. In the 1990’s, the Tarika group in particular has attracted attention in the West.
