History Of Madagascar 1945 - Present
- 1880s-1905 France consolidates its hold over Madagascar
- Roads are improved and new Crops are cultivated
- Soon three quarters of Madagascar's trade is with France
- 1910-20 growth of Nationalism fueled by discontent over French Rule
- In 1946 Madagascar becomes an overseas territory of France
- In 1947 the French suppress a rebellion in the east in which thousands are killed.
- In 1958 Madagascar votes for autonomy
- On June 26 1960 Madagascar gains independence form France
- 1975 - Lieutenant-Commander Didier Ratsiraka becomes the head of state and the country is renamed the Democratic Republic of Madagascar.
- In 2000 Arema wins in most of the cities, apart from Antananarivo, in provincial elections. The elections are for a new system of local government. Some 70% of voters stay away after the opposition called for a boycott, saying voters had not been properly informed about the reforms.
- On December 2015 senate is elected six years after it was dissolved after the 2009 coup.
Basic Information
- Population - 22.24 Million
- Type of Government - Republic
- Major Religions - 55 percent of the total population follow traditional beliefs, and 40 percent are Christian, about evenly divided between Roman Catholics and Protestants, the remaining 5 percent being Muslim.
Culture
- The culture of Madagascar is a reflection of the Malagasy people.
- The is an evident influence of Arabs, Indians, British, French, and Chinese settlers
- Traditional houses in Madagascar are likewise similar to those of southern Borneo in terms of symbolism and construction, featuring a rectangular layout with a peaked roof and central support pillar.
- Reflecting a widespread veneration of the ancestors, tombs are culturally significant in many regions and tend to be built of more durable material, typically stone, and display more elaborate decoration than the houses of the living.
- Isalo National Park - is a National Park in the Ihorombe Region of Madagascar. The park is known for its wide variety of terrain, including sandstone formations, deep canyons, a palm-lined oases, and grassland.
- Marojejy National Park - is open all year, with Bradt Travel Guides recommending April to May and September to December as the best times to visit due to less rainfall. The park is one of the only national parks in Madagascaroffering wooden chalets or bungalows