 | Capital city: Antananarivo, largest
city (main international airport). |
 | Area: 587041 square km |
 | National day: 26 June 1960. Former
French colony. Known as Malagasy Republic until 1975. |
 | Independence: 26th June |
 | Population: 16 million as of 2000 |
 | Leader: Dider Ratsiraka born 1936,
President since January 1997 (previously president 1975-1993. |
 | Languages: Malagasy and French (both
official). |
 | Currency: Malagasy francs (FMG) |