Presentation of Madagascar

Position on the globe	Madagascar is the fourth largest island in the World. It is located in the Indian Ocean, 400km (248 miles) off the south east coast of Africa (South Africa).
Official languages	Malagasy, French and English
Surface area	592 000 Km2
Population	18,6 millions hab.
Density	30,73 inhabitant/km2
Currency	Ariary (MGA) (1 USD = 2000 MGA January. 2007)
Time Zone	UTC+3
Telephone country code	+261

Economy **

Population growth (annual %)	2.6
Life expectancy at birth, total (years)	56
GDP (current US$) (billion)	4,042
GDP growth (annual %)	4.9
Inflation, consumer prices (annual %)	10.8
Foreign direct investment, net inflows (% of GDP)	6.1
Unemployment, total (% of total labor force)	2.8
Time required to start a business (days)	4
Internet users (per 1,000 people)	5
Main trading partners	European Union, USA, China
Main investment partners	Canada, USA, France, Mauritius, Royaume-Uni

Source : World Development Indicators.
** Most recent data available 2001-2006

Madagascar has a tropical type of climate and lives to the rhythm of two seasons:

It rains almost throughout the year in the eastern region to reach an annual precipitation ranging from 3000 to 4000 mm.

Type of government	Republic
Capital	Antananarivo
Administrative divisions	22 regions: Analamanga, Bongolava, Itasy, Vakinankaratra, Diana, Sava, Amoron’i Mania, Atsimo Atsinanana, Haute Matsiatra, Ihorombe, Vatovavy Fitovinany, Betsiboka, Boeny, Melaky, Sofia, Alaotra Mangoro, Analanjirofo, Atsinanana, Androy, Anosy, Atsimo-Andrefana, Menabe.
Executive	Head of State: President Marc RAVALOMANANA President: elected by universal suffrage for five years
Legislature	Senate: one third of the senators are nominated by the President of the Republic and two thirds are elected. A Senator’s term lasts four years. National assembly: members are directly elected by universal suffrage for four years
Judiciary	The Supreme Court and the Constitutional High court