Republic Of Madagascar
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 1960
Population: 16 million as of 2000
Leader: Dider Ratsiraka born 1936, President as at January 1997 (previously president 1975-1993.