Madagascar

Madagascar, or Republic of Madagascar (older name Malagasy Republic), is an island nation in the Indian Ocean off the southeastern coast of Africa. The main island, also called Madagascar, is the fourth-largest island in the world, and is home to 5% of the world's plant and animal species, of which more than 80% are endemic to Madagascar.

As it is located on an important trade route, Madagascar enjoyed a relatively long time prosperous before France invaded Madagascar in 1883. In 1890, the British accepted the full formal imposition of a French protectorate. In 1896 France annexed Madagascar.

During World War II, Malagasy troops fought in France, Morocco, and Syria. After France fell to Germany, the Vichy government administered Madagascar. During the Battle of Madagascar, British troops occupied the island in 1942 to preclude its seizure by the Japanese, after which the Free French took over.

In 1947, with French prestige at low ebb, the Malagasy Uprising broke out. It was suppressed after over a year of bitter fighting, with 40,000 to 90,000 people killed. The French later established reformed institutions in 1956 and Madagascar moved peacefully towards independence. The Malagasy Republic was proclaimed on October 14, 1958, as an autonomous state within the French Community. A period of provisional government ended with the adoption of a constitution in 1959 and full independence on June 26, 1960.

Madagascar is among poorest countries in the World, two thirds of the population lives below the international poverty line of US$1.25 a day.