Flag Description

two equal horizontal bands of red (top) and green with a vertical white band of the same width on hoist side; by tradition, red stands for sovereignty, green for hope, white for purity

Background:Formerly an independent kingdom, Madagascar became a French colony in 1896 but regained independence in 1960. During 1992-93, free presidential and National Assembly elections were held ending 17 years of single-party rule. In 1997, in the second presidential race, Didier RATSIRAKA, the leader during the 1970s and 1980s, was returned to the presidency. The 2001 presidential election was contested between the followers of Didier RATSIRAKA and Marc RAVALOMANANA, nearly causing secession of half of the country. In April 2002, the High Constitutional Court announced RAVALOMANANA the winner. RAVALOMANANA achieved a second term following a landslide victory in the generally free and fair presidential elections of 2006. In early 2009, protests over increasing restrictions on opposition press and activities resulted in RAVALOMANANA handing over power to the military, which then conferred the presidency on the mayor of Antananarivo, Andry RAJOELINA, in what amounted to a coup d'etat. Following a lengthy mediation process led by the Southern African Development Community (SADC), Madagascar held UN-supported presidential and parliamentary elections in 2013. Former de facto finance minister Hery RAJAONARIMAMPIANINA defeated RAVALOMANANA's favored candidate Jean-Louis ROBINSON in a presidential runoff and was inaugurated in January 2014. Most international observers, while noting some irregularities, declared polls to be a credible reflection of the Malagasy public's will.

Total Area: 587,041 sq km

Land Area:581,540 sq km

Water Area:5,501 sq km

Land Boundries Total:

Border Countries:

Coastline:4,828 km

Lowest Point:Indian Ocean 0 m

Highest Point:Maromokotro 2,876 m

Population:23,201,926 (July 2014 est.)

Population Growth Rate:2.62% (2014 est.)

Religion:indigenous beliefs 52%, Christian 41%, Muslim 7%

Literacy(%):0.645

Literacy(%) Male:0.674

Literacy(%) Female:61.6% (2009 est.)

Independence Day:26 June 1960 (from France)

National Holiday:Independence Day, 26 June (1960)

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