MadaGascar

Geography
Location: Southern Africa, island in the Indian Ocean, east of Mozambique.

Area: slightly less than twice the size of Arizona. It is the world's fourth-largest island.

Terrain: narrow coastal plain, high plateau and mountains in center.

History
Formerly an independent kingdom, Madagascar became a French colony in 1886, but regained its independence in 1960. During 1992-93, free presidential and National Assembly elections were held, ending 17 years of single-party rule.

Weather
Tropical along coast, temperate inland, arid in south.

Goverment
Republic with its capital city being Antananarivo.

Economy
Currency: Malagasy franc (FMG)
Industries: meat processing, soap, breweries, tanneries, sugar, textiles, glassware, cement, automobile assembly plant, paper, petroleum, tourism.
Agriculture: coffee, vanilla, sugarcane, cloves, cocoa, rice, cassava (tapioca), beans, bananas, peanuts; livestock products.