By: Miller Tan

Government Caretaker government President of high transitional authority: Andry Rajoelina Prime minister: Albert Camille Vital

History Split from Africa about 160 million years ago The island of Madagascar was created when it separated from the Indian subcontinent 80 to 100 million years ago. The most famous pirate utopia is that of Captain Misson and his pirate crew, who allegedly founded the free colony of Libertetia in northern Madagascar in the late 17th century.

Economy Agriculture including fishing and forestry. Major exports are coffee, vanilla, sugarcane, cloves, cocoa, rice, cassava( tapioca), beans, bananas, and peanuts. A period of significant stagnation from 1991 to 1996 was followed by five years of solid economic growth and accelerating foreign investment, driven by a second wave of privatizations and EPZ development. Although structural reforms advanced, governance remained weak and perceived corruption in Madagascar was extremely high.

Climate Generally the climate of Madagascar is subtropical, with a hot and rainy season between November and April, and a cooler dry season from May to October. However there is a big variation in climate depending on altitude and geographical position. The east coast receives the most rain and is hot and humid during the wet season, and also prone to cyclones between February and March. Temperatures are much cooler in the highlands.

Culture Malagasy culture reflects a blend of Southeast Asian, Arab, African and European influences. Houses in Madagascar are typically four-sided with a peaked roof, in a style commonly seen in Southeast Asia, rather than the circular style of hut construction more commonly found in Eastern Africa. Rice forms the basis of every meal in most parts of the country as in Asia. The dishes prepared to accompany the rice vary depending on local availability of food products and are known as laoka.

Land At 587,000 square kilometers (227,000 sq mi), Madagascar is the world's 46th-largest country and the fourth largest island. It is slightly bigger than France, and is one of 11 distinct physiographic provinces of the South African Platform. Towards the east, a steep escarpment leads from the central highlands down into a ribbon of rain forest with a narrow coastal further east.