Economic Overview
Having discarded past socialist economic policies, madagascar has since the mid 1990s followed a world bank- and imf-led policy of privatization and liberalization. this strategy placed the country on a slow and steady growth path from an extremely low level. agriculture, including fishing and forestry, is a mainstay of the economy, accounting for more than one-fourth of gdp and employing 80% of the population. exports of apparel have boomed in recent years primarily due to duty-free access to the us. deforestation and erosion, aggravated by the use of firewood as the primary source of fuel, are serious concerns. president ravalomanana has worked aggressively to revive the economy following the 2002 political crisis, which triggered a 12% drop in gdp that year. poverty reduction and combating corruption will be the centerpieces of economic policy for the next few years.
Environmental Issues
Soil erosion results from deforestation and overgrazing; desertification; surface water contaminated with raw sewage and other organic wastes; several endangered species of flora and fauna unique to the island
Government Type
Republic
Population
20,042,552 (july 2008 est.)
Location
Southern africa, island in the indian ocean, east of mozambique
Area
Total: 587,040 sq km
land: 581,540 sq km
water: 5,500 sq km
Slightly less than twice the size of arizona
Country Aliases
Conventional long form: republic of madagascar
conventional short form: madagascar
local long form: republique de madagascar/repoblikan'i madagasikara
local short form: madagascar/madagasikara
former: malagasy republic
Capital
Name: antananarivo
geographic coordinates: 18 55 s, 47 31 e
time difference: utc+3 (8 hours ahead of washington, dc during standard time)
Military Service
18-25 years of age for male-only compulsory military service; 18-month conscript service obligation (either military or equivalent civil service); 20-30 years of age for national gendarmerie recruits (35 years of age for those with military experience) (2008)
International Disputes
Claims bassas da india, europa island, glorioso islands, and juan de nova island (all administered by france)
Sources: Central Intelligence Agency (CIA)
