basic split between highlanders of predominantly
Malayo-Indonesian origin (Merina and related Betsileo) on the one hand and coastal tribes, collectively termed the Cotiers, with mixed African,
Malayo-Indonesian, and Arab ancestry (Betsimisaraka, Tsimihety, Antaisaka,
Sakalava), on the other; there are also small French, Indian, Creole, and
Comoran communities; no current, accurate assessment of tribal numbers is available

world's fourth-largest island; strategic location along Mozambique
Channel

6 provinces (plural - NA, singular - faritanin'); Antananarivo, Antsiranana, Fianarantsoa, Mahajanga, Toamasina,
Toliary

last held on 12 March 1989 (next to be held NA 1992); results - Didier RATSIRAKA (AREMA) 62%, Manandafy RAKOTONIRINA (MFM/MFT) 20%, Dr.
Jerome Marojama RAZANABAHINY (VONJY) 15%, Monja JAONA (MONIMA) 3%

unicameral Popular National Assembly (Assemblee
Nationale Populaire); note - the National Assembly has suspended its operations during 1992 in preparation for new legislative and presidential elections. In its place, an interim High Authority of State and a Social and
Economic Recovery Council have been established

ACCT, ACP, AfDB, CCC, ECA, FAO, G-77, GATT, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO,
ICC, ICFTU, IDA, IFAD, IFC, ILO, IMF, IMO, INTELSAT, INTERPOL, IOC, ITU,
LORCS, NAM, OAU, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UPU, WCL, WFTU, WHO,
WIPO, WMO, WTO

Ambassador Pierrot Jocelyn RAJAONARIVELO;
Chancery at 2,374 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20,008; telephone (202) 265-5,525 or 5,526; there is a Malagasy Consulate General in New York

Ambassador Howard K. WALKER; Embassy at 14 and 16 Rue Rainitovo,
Antsahavola, Antananarivo (mailing address is B. P. 620, Antananarivo); telephone 261 (2) 212-57, 209-56, 200-89, 207-18

Madagascar is one of the poorest countries in the world.
Agriculture, including fishing and forestry, is the mainstay of the economy, accounting for over 40% of GDP, employing about 80% of the labor force, and contributing to more than 70% of total export earnings. Industry is largely confined to the processing of agricultural products and textile manufacturing; in 1990 it accounted for only 16% of GDP and employed almost 5% of the labor force. In 1986 the government introduced a five-year development plan that stressed self-sufficiency in food (mainly rice) by 1990, increased production for exports, and reduced energy imports. After mid-1991, however, output dropped sharply because of protracted antigovernment strikes and demonstrations for political reform.

growth rate 5.2% (1990 est.); accounts for 16% of
GDP

exchange rate conversion - $37 million, 2.2% of
GDP (1989 est.)

148 total, 103 usable; 30 with permanent-surface runways; none
with runways over 3,659 m; 3
with runways 2,440-3,659 m; 34
with runways 1,220-2,439 m

14 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 59,255 GRT/81,509
DWT; includes 9 cargo, 2 roll-on/roll-off cargo, 1 petroleum tanker, 1 chemical tanker, 1 liquefied gas