Madagascar is an island in the western Indian Ocean, ranked 4th in the world by area - after Kalimantan in the Malay Archipelago, New Guinea and Greenland; it is sometimes called a "mini-continent". Madagascar is separated from Africa by the Mozambique Strait, the longest on the planet, but the distance from the island to the eastern coast of the continent can vary: the width of the strait is from 422 to 925 km.
Where is?
Marco Polo is often mentioned in connection with the name of the island of Madagascar. It is believed that it was he who gave it its name; but the famous Italian was there in the 13th century, and the first mentions of Madagascar date back to the 7th century AD. They also say that the island was named by the French, after one of its regions - Matakassi. Another hypothesis is related to the local language: “madagasy Kara” - “Rock of the Malagasy”. This is what the inhabitants of Madagascar call themselves - in other countries they are called Malagasy.
If on the western side of the island of Madagascar, across the strait, there is Africa, then on the east, north and south there is only the Indian Ocean. Although the continent is not far away, the climate of Madagascar is very different from that of Africa. There are tropics, arid regions and “temperate” regions; in the central regions it is not hot - about 18°C, and in the north-west the temperature can rise to 34°C. There are frosts in the mountains, and cyclones are frequent on the coasts. However, there are many regions with temperatures of 24-27°C on the island, and in fact there is no “continuous” rainy season - there are plenty of opportunities for recreation and tourism in Madagascar.
About 20 million people live on the island of Madagascar, and the Malagasy are the majority. They say that they do not resemble Africans at all, but are more like Malays and Polynesians. Madagascar is also called the “island of mysteries”; there are many unusual plants and animals here. The island contains species found in different parts of the world - from Africa and India to Australia and South America, but 3/4 of all local species are endemic - they cannot be found anywhere else.
Underdeveloped tourism
Although they say that tourism is the most important sector of the economy for the country, the Democratic Republic of Madagascar, it is still developing poorly: the political situation is hampering it. As experience shows, the president in this country can simply be kicked out, and then the military - his former supporters - can easily start a rebellion, and different ethnic groups do not always know how to come to an agreement among themselves. The situation is aggravated by Western intervention, although no one wants to make long-term investments.
As a result, although the nature of Madagascar is unique and inimitable, and there are all the prerequisites for the development of beach holidays in Madagascar, the infrastructure is poorly developed. This prevents normal, modern recreation, but its active types - in particular, ecotourism - are well developed, and prices are low. Cheapness attracts not only Russian, but also Western tourists: for example, if you focus on a modest diet, you can spend about $3 on food per day, and the most expensive products can cost $10. Even normal housing can be rented for $5-10 per day, but there are other sides.
According to some reviews, quality service here also costs a lot - almost the same as in developed countries, but at the same time the likelihood of violations is quite high: you can’t always get what you promised for your money - it’s not surprising that the development of tourism in Madagascar as a whole is still “slowing down” "
Features of relaxation on the island
So what to see and where to relax in Madagascar?
Most Popular Nosy Be
Beach tourism in Madagascar in general is not very thriving, but the infrastructure of the west coast is considered quite developed and suitable for recreation. The island of Nosy Be is the most popular: the local beaches are well-maintained, clean and calm. The most visited beach is Andilana, with a diving center and canoe excursions.
On Nosy Be you can meet amazing black lemurs: with a length of about 40 cm, they weigh only 1.8-2 kg, and their tails are long and fluffy.
Madagascar resort Toliara
Toliara is also a popular resort in Madagascar. Clean beaches are surrounded by baobab trees, and tourists are given rides on painted pies; on some beaches they show the shells of eggs of giant extinct birds - apiornis, whose height reached 3 m. It is off the coast of Toliara that there is a huge coral reef: it stretches for 250 km and is considered the second largest in the world after the Great Barrier - these places are very popular with divers. Diving is generally considered the best entertainment here: the water is very clear - visibility is up to 30 m, and there are many unique fish and sea animals. In the area of the city of Ambotoloaca there is a marine park: in it, at an 18-meter depth, you can spend hours watching exotic fish, shellfish and turtles.
Ecotourism and excursions
There is a lot of talk on the island of Madagascar about ecotourism: the government plans to develop it, and there is already some success - hiking routes are being created in nature reserves and parks, and local residents are being trained as guides. There are more than 100 species of lemurs in Madagascar, and biologists, with the help of ecotourism, are trying to save them from extinction - unfortunately, due to the destruction of forests, these unique animals may disappear.
There is also such a type of holiday in Madagascar as excursions - it is represented quite widely. Tourists are offered special excursion tours, but you can go on an excursion, having already arrived in the country, of your choice. Vacationers have the opportunity to spend the night in hotels in different cities and in campsites, visit national parks and attractions.
Sights of Madagascar
There are plenty of attractions in Madagascar.
Only in the capital of Madagascar - Antananarivo, there are dozens of attractions: parks, terraces, museums, palaces, but the most striking is considered to be the composition of Ruva Ambuhimanga - a whole ensemble that includes not only beautiful palaces, but also the tombs of the rulers of Madagascar.
Landmark of Madagascar - Hira-Gasi Theater
The Hira-Gasi Theater is another local wonder of Madagascar. This is the oldest form of local theater - musical; they say he is typically Madagascan, and the island's residents believe that tourists should definitely see his performances. It must be said that it is really popular: about 1 million people visit it every year, but this number also includes the Malagasy themselves. The theater consists of amateur groups that seem to compete with each other, trying to win the love of the audience: artists sing and dance, play musical instruments, read poetry, demonstrate colorful costumes - performances are given in stadiums, markets and other public places.
Hira-gashi arose in the late 18th and early 19th centuries, when the government was actively clearing the area for agriculture. To lift people's spirits, kings ordered singers and dancers to perform right at the work sites - it was then that artistic groups began to compete and hone their skills in every possible way. Interestingly, the audience can also take part in certain performances, although most of the performances are performed according to well-established scenarios.
What are the prices for holidays?
It is recommended to go on holiday to Madagascar during the dry season, from May to October - you can get more impressions. Prices for tours depend on their duration: for example, you can relax for a week for 160 thousand rubles, and 2 weeks for 380 thousand, but the popularity of the places visited is also an important pricing factor. Colorful festivals and magnificent holidays are held here in late autumn, winter, and March, and prices for flights and accommodation are somewhat reduced.
The Republic of Madagascar, photos, historical information and main attractions of which are presented in the article, is a truly unique place. It resembles a huge nature reserve. The island is surrounded by the Indian Ocean and is a natural museum of paleontology. Here you will find huge semi-deserts where cacti and thorny plants, baobabs, grow.
Tourists are drawn to Madagascar's red-green hills, covered with nepenthes, an insect-eating plant. Here you will find many kilometers of beaches and forests filled with exotic flowers. Ravenals and orchids are ubiquitous in Madagascar. Here you will also find waterfalls, geysers and picturesque lakes located in the craters of extinct volcanoes. Madagascar is a unique island reserve located off the east coast of South Africa, separated from it by the Mozambique Channel. The diversity of local nature will give true pleasure to travelers.
The first inhabitants of the island
We invite you to first get acquainted with the history of such an interesting country as the Republic of Madagascar. Interesting facts about this are numerous. We will dwell only on the most important events from the history of its settlement.
According to myths, immigrants from Africa were the first inhabitants of Madagascar. They are known as Mikea, or Wazimba Pygmies. According to scientific research, the first inhabitants appeared here in the 2nd-5th centuries. We are talking about representatives of the Austronesian peoples who sailed by canoe to this island. Later, Bantu tribes arrived here, preferring territories located near water. Austronesian descendants who settled earlier occupied the middle of the island. Around the 10th century, as a result of mixing with the Austronesian African population, a distinctive people arose who called themselves Malagasy.
Arabs and Marco Polo
Arabs arrived in Madagascar in the 7th century, and from that time written evidence began to appear about the island. It is believed that Marco Polo gave the name to Madagascar. In his notes, this traveler mentioned the countless treasures that Madeigaskar possesses. However, it is possible that they were talking about the port of Magadishu, and not about the island at all. Nevertheless, the name stuck and has survived to this day.
Arrival of Europeans
At the turn of the 15th-16th centuries. Europeans arrived on the island. The first time this happened was when the ship of Diogo Dias, a traveler from Italy, went off course while heading to India. A European ship landed on the shores of Madagascar for the first time. Since the island had an important position for spice traders who sailed all over Africa, France and Britain tried to establish their outposts here. However, hostile local residents and an inhospitable climate that caused disease made this task practically impossible.
Pirates on the island
Since the 17th century, Madagascar has been known for both pirates and slave traders. This was due to its convenient location, as well as the fact that there were almost no colonial authorities here. This island was called their second home by such famous pirates as William Kidd, Robert Drury, John Bowen and others. The photo above shows the pirate cemetery (Santa Maria).
Activities of Maurice Benevsky
In 1772, Moritz Benevsky, a Slovak adventurer, came up with a plan for the development of Madagascar. Louis XV supported him in this. In February 1774, Moritz arrived here accompanied by 237 sailors and 21 officers. The natives did not offer active resistance, and almost immediately construction began on a city called Louisbourg, which became the capital of the island. Local leaders elected Benevsky king in 1776. However, the French were alarmed by the influence of the Slovak, who had already managed to create an independent militia from local residents. The government stopped helping him. As a result of this, Benevsky was forced to retreat from his plan and return to Paris.
Power on the island in the 19th century
In the 19th century, the Merina, a state that existed in the mountains and in cultural isolation from Madagascar, declared its influence over the entire island. Radama I was declared king in 1818. Until 1896, his dynasty ruled the island. Its last monarch was overthrown by the French, who landed here in 1883.
The French protectorate in 1890 enlisted the support of England. However, France for this undertook to recognize the power of England in Zanzibar and Tanganyika. The native monarchy finally lost its power in 1897.
20th century in the history of the country
After Germany captured France in 1940, British troops occupied the island. It was they who protected the island of interest to us from Japanese attacks. Germany tried to implement its Madagascar plan, according to which 4 million European Jews were to be resettled here.
After the Gaullist part of France seized power in 1943, revolutionary unrest began in Madagascar. In 1947, they resulted in an armed struggle for independence. In 1958, France granted independence to its colony, despite the fact that the uprising was suppressed. On October 14, 1958, the Autonomous Republic of Malagasy was proclaimed, which was under the protectorate of France. After another 2 years, this republic declared its independence. Power was in the hands of the Social Democratic Party, led by Philibert Tsiranana.
In 1972, a political crisis occurred on the island, as a result of which the military, led by General Ramanantsua, gained power. However, on December 31, 1974, the general was removed from his post by his closest supporters. Power was in the hands of the military directory.
Education of the Democratic Republic of Madagascar
In 1975, the state of the Democratic Republic of Madagascar appeared. The construction of socialism began on the island. Madagascar undertook to strengthen ties with the Soviet Union. Perestroika in the USSR led to similar processes on the island called Madagascar. The republic restored its multi-party system only in 1990. A demonstration against the government was shot at in 1991. Democratization and market reforms began with the presidency of Albert Zafi, who came to power in 1992.
On January 31, 2009, a rally against the government took place in Madagascar. As a result, Andrew Rajoelina, the mayor of the capital, declared himself president. This coup was condemned by many countries.
These are the main milestones in the history that the Republic of Madagascar has experienced. Its attractions are numerous; in this article we will talk about only a few of them.
Neighborhoods of Antananarivo
The capital of the state, Antananarivo (Tana), is the largest and very interesting city. The ancient land of Imerina, where the outskirts of the capital are located, is quite colorful. Huge ones alternate here with uncultivated land in the north, gorges separate the hills, and sacred lakes are surrounded by groves of fruit trees.
The surrounding area of Antananarivo is the breadbasket of the country, its historical, economic and cultural center. Of great interest to tourists are the ruins of the castle of King Ralambu, dating back to the 16th century. They are located on the Ambuhidrabibi hill. Also notable are the king's palace and fortress, built in the 18th century. You will find them on Ambuhimanga Hill. The zebu market located in Mandrasois (Republic of Madagascar) is very popular. The attractions of the capital region are numerous and varied, so you won't get bored here.
The coldest city
Madagascar is a place where you are unlikely to freeze at any time of the year. The weather here is characterized by an abundance of hot sunny days. Thanks to this, many tourists choose to holiday in a country such as the Republic, where it is humid tropical in the southern part of the island, and subequatorial in the northern part. The hottest places are on the northwestern coast, where daytime temperatures sometimes reach 35 degrees. Where can you hide from this heat? Go to Antsirabe.
Antsirabe thermal resort is a great place to relax. This city is the coldest in the country (average annual temperature - 17 °C). It is also famous for the art of embroidery. The House of Arts and Crafts located here exports beautiful canvases.
Natural attractions of the capital region
Notable in this area are the volcanic lakes Tritriva (pictured below), Tatamarina and Andraikiba, and the Antafufu waterfalls. Ambusitra is a picturesque holiday area located along the artificial Lake Mantasua. Tourists will certainly be interested in the beautiful lakes Kavitaha and Itasi, as well as the Perine Nature Reserve.
L'Ankaratra is a picturesque mountain range located southeast of the capital. It is a great place for hiking and active recreation. Halfway between the east coast and the capital, in Muramanga, there is the National Gendarmerie Museum. One of the wonders of the island, located next to Antsirabe. This is a small body of water (about 50 by 100 meters) with almost black water, which is surrounded by granite rocks. The depth of this crystal clear lake is about 400 meters. However, there is practically no living life in it, and no one has managed to swim across it.
Dam complexes
The dam complexes located on the High Plateau are also very interesting. A dense network of channels permeates the surface of these basins. Here you will find numerous dams, locks and small bridges. The rivers in Madagascar are very deep. They deposit silt in their bed, eroding rocks. As a result, the valleys rise slightly above the level of the surrounding area. In order to contain the rivers, protective dams were built, which in their engineering solutions and size are not inferior to the famous Dutch dams. From the outside, they look very similar to the terraced rice fields found in Southeast Asia.
East of Madagascar
The east of Madagascar is washed by the Indian Ocean. This part of the island is overgrown with the remnants of the forest that previously covered its entire territory. Numerous rivers cross the mountain ranges. The coastal lowland is a narrow strip of plain about 55 km wide, which is bordered on one side by forests and on the other by the sea. This area has a very humid climate and it rains almost continuously. Therefore, unique tropical rainforests have formed in the eastern part of the island. Madagascar is a republic whose animals and plants cause real delight among children and their parents. For those who want to fully enjoy the richness of the local nature, the eastern parts of the country are suitable for relaxation. Here, for 700 km, from Manakara to Tuamasina, the Pangalan Canal stretches, where many fish and birds live. Dozens of species of interesting relict animals inhabit the surrounding forests.
Toamasina
The second largest city on the island, as well as its largest port, is Toamasina (Republic of Madagascar). Tours here are also very popular. In the vicinity of the city you will find many excellent recreational areas, such as the seaside resorts of Mahambu and Manda Beach, and the balneological resort of Mahaveluna (Fulpointe). And not far from the coast, in the ocean, lie the islands of Nosy-Boraha, Ile-aux-Prunes, Nosy-Ilayntsambu, Ile-aux-Nattes, Madame and others. These are beautiful beach resorts in a country like Madagascar.
The Republic of Madagascar is a great place to relax. The island will especially appeal to nature lovers. Madagascar is a republic that in recent years has often been called the “vanilla island”. This is not surprising, because the unique flora and fauna are represented here, and guests are greeted by friendly residents. If you are looking for an unforgettable experience, don't hesitate to travel to Madagascar! The Republic always welcomes tourists.
The original language of Madagascar
The official languages of Madagascar are a dialect of Malagasy called Merina and French. Almost the entire population of the country is Malagasy, which belongs to the Malay group of languages. All of them are divided into nineteen different tribal groups, such as the Merina, Betsileo, Antaisaka, Hova, Tsi-Mikheti, Sakalave and others. This means that 99% of the population speaks Malagasy.
The original language of Madagascar
The official languages of Madagascar are a dialect of the Malagasy language called Merina and French. Almost the entire population of the country is Malagasy, which belongs to the Malay group of languages. All of them are divided into nineteen different tribal groups, such as the Merina, Betsileo, Antaisaka, Hova, Tsi-Mikheti, Sakalave and others. This means that 99% of the population speaks Malagasy.
The language is not related to nearby African languages, as it belongs to the Malayo-Polynesian group of the Austronesian family of languages. In pronunciation, the Malagasy language is similar to the languages of Malaysia, Indonesia and the Philippines; the languages spoken on the island of Borneo are closest to it: the basic vocabulary of Malagasy almost completely coincides with the vocabulary of the Ma'anyan language in the southern regions of Borneo. It must be assumed that the indigenous population of Madagascar came from a mixture of inhabitants of the island of Borneo, Arabs and people from East Africa. In the 18th century, pirate bases were located on the island, which also contributed to the formation of the local language.
The Malagasy language does not have a written language, but it has a large number of legends and poetic traditions in oral form.
The Republic of Madagascar is an independent island state in the western part
Indian Ocean, off the east coast of Africa.
General information
Territory - o. Madagascar and adjacent small islands
Area - 587,040 sq. km
Population - about 20 million people.
Capital - Antananarivo
Highest point - Tsaratanana (2880 m)
State languages - Malagasy, French
Religions - traditional beliefs, Christianity
Independence Day - June 26 (1960).
The currency is ariary.
Basic export items - coffee, spices (cloves, vanilla), sugar, sisal, shrimp
Form of government - parliamentary republic
Flight Europe-Madagascar - 13 hours.
Madagascar's telephone code is 261
Rainy season - December-February
The main danger for Europeans is malaria
The purchase of real estate by foreigners in Madagascar is prohibited (lease for 99 years is allowed).
Geography
Madagascar is part of the ancient continent of Gondwana, which split into what is now South America, Africa, India, Antarctica and Madagascar. The island broke away from the African platform more than 2 billion years ago. According to other assumptions, Madagascar is part of the ancient continent of Lemuria, the homeland of primates.
Madagascar is the fourth largest island in the world - after Greenland, N. Guinea and Kalimantan. Located in the western Indian Ocean, 400 kilometers from the coast of Mozambique. South latitude is between 11°.57" and 23°38". Eastern longitude - 50°17". The length of the island (from north to south) is 1580 km. The width (from east to west) is 580 km. The length of the coastline is 5000 km. The Republic of Madagascar occupies the island of the same name and several small islands with a total area. 587 thousand km2 - slightly less than Ukraine, but slightly more than France, Belgium and Luxembourg combined.
The island is conventionally divided into six regions. In the center there is a highland with extinct volcanoes, mountains, hills, valleys and many rivers. On the eastern shore there are remains of the “great forest” that previously covered the entire island. The miracle of nature is a narrow strip of coastal lowland covered with tropical rain forests. On the western side, the island slopes down to the Mozambique Channel in large terraces and elongated plains. In the northwestern part there is a savannah, and in the southwest it turns into a semi-desert - bush. The south is also covered with semi-deserts. There are often droughts here. To the north lies a huge volcanic massif.
The dominant color of the soil is red in various shades. In this regard, Europeans often call Madagascar the Red Island.
The climate is tropical and equatorial-monsoon. The average annual temperature in Antananarivo is 18 degrees. The average annual temperature on the coasts is 24-26 degrees. Precipitation is from 400 to 3000 mm per year. Coastal areas often suffer from destructive cyclones.
Madagascar is a beautifully irrigated island. More than 50 large and small rivers flow through it. The longest of them are Manguki (821 km) and Ikupa (664 km).
People in Madagascar
About 20 million people live in the country. Of these, 30% live in cities, the rest are rural residents. 60% of the population are young people under 20 years old.
Most Madagascars live in the central part of the island or along its east coast. The average population density is 33 people. per sq. km.
There are approximately equal numbers of men and women.
Average life expectancy is 61 years for men, 65 years for women.
Malagasy, or Malagasy (19 ethnic groups) make up 99% of the population. The French, Comorians, Arabs, Chinese, and Indo-Pakistanis also live here. There are no acute interethnic contradictions in Madagascar. The recognized ethnic leader is the "royal" Merina people - residents of the central part of the island.
Traditional beliefs are observed among half of the population). From June to September is the famous Famadihana (festival of the reburial of ancestors, accompanied by dressing up of the dead). 41% of the population are Christians (Catholics, Protestants, many Orthodox parishes). There are Muslim, Taoist, and Buddhist communities.
The entire population speaks Malagasy. Most people speak French quite well.
It is believed that the Malagasy people have a spirit of solidarity and mutual assistance - "fihavanana". But the main quality of the Malagasy is belief in the supernatural. They know how to imbue every phenomenon of life with secret meaning and significance, therefore everything important that happens to them is celebrated or conjured as a manifestation of higher powers.
Antananarivo is located in the central part of the island between twelve sacred hills (actually two). It arose almost three centuries ago. Now it is home to almost one and a half million inhabitants.
Among the attractions are numerous buildings from royal times: palaces, residences, mausoleums, tombs of monarchs. Luxurious city park Tsimbazaza with a botanical garden, zoo, museum of archeology and paleontology. "Flea market" in the poor quarter of Antuhumadinika. One of the world's largest open-air markets "Zuma". Eternal carnival, theatrical non-stop Hira-Gasi in different places of the city.
There are about 25 hotels in Antananarivo to suit every taste, of which about 10 have luxury rooms. The city has a university, modern hospitals, etc.
The main cities other than Antananarivo are Antsiranana (Diego Suarez) in the far north, Taulanaru (Fort Dauphine) in the far southeast, Toamasina (in the east), Mahajanga in the northwest, Toliara in the southwest, Antsirabe in the central part and Morondava in the west.
Nature
Over millions of years, the nature of the island developed with virtually no connection with other parts of the planet. Up to 99% of animal and plant species in Madagascar are endemic, i.e. you won't find them anywhere else. Among them are many species of lemurs, chameleons, and orchids. The Madagascar symbol of good luck and wealth is the zebu. The "Traveler's Tree" of the Ravenala is the national symbol of Madagascar. Other wonders of the island include “crying” blue jacaranda trees and beautiful golden-hearted plumerias with an intoxicating aroma.
The Paleontological Museum houses the bones of local dinosaurs and the eggs of Wurunathrana, a giant “house bird” called Epiornis, which was almost the size of an elephant and lived on the island until quite recently. But the most amazing thing is that there are not and never have been any predatory animals or poisonous snakes on the island! This allowed most species to be preserved in such completeness. True, there are no monkeys, elephants or giraffes characteristic of Africa in Madagascar.
The island has 134 protected areas and 3 huge national parks.
Rich deposits of graphite, chromite, beryllium, and garnet have been explored and partially developed. And in the vicinity of Taulanaru, “sapphire” fever has recently begun, the city is growing by leaps and bounds. There are small gold deposits in the north, and titanium mining is underway in the west.
Foreign natural science groups and organizations are actively working on the island. Interests are distributed approximately as follows: oceanology - Japan, France; pharmacology and research of the properties of aromatic plants - France, USA, Germany, Norway; ecology - France, USA, England, Germany, Switzerland; veterinary medicine - France, South Africa. On May 27, 1996, an agreement on scientific cooperation between the Russian Academy of Sciences and the Academy of Sciences of Madagascar was signed in Moscow. The priorities of cooperation have been determined - oceanography, industrial-technological and nuclear research, development of veterinary vaccines.
Story
It is believed that the first people arrived on the island from Indonesia or Malaysia about two thousand years ago. But it is possible that a few people from Africa settled here even earlier.
In the 14th-15th centuries, the state of Imerina arose in the center of Madagascar, around which the. In the 19th century, a single Malagasy kingdom was formed.
In 1500, the Portuguese discovered Madagascar to Europe. Later, the British and French arrived on the island. European missionaries converted many local residents to Christianity. In 1895, the French came to power and Madagascar became a French colony.
In 1960 the country achieved independence. But for another 10 years the state was headed by a pro-French government.
In 1975, President Didier Ratsiraka came to power, pursuing a socialist anti-Western policy. In 1991, due to mass protests, he adopted a more democratic constitution. In the 1993 elections, liberal Albert Zafi was elected president. But his reform activities were not very successful and ended in impeachment.
Since 1997, the President of Madagascar has been Didier Ratsiraka.
In 2009, President Andry Rajoelina, former mayor of Antananarivo, came to power as a result of a coup.
Economy of Madagascar
Madagascar's economy is generally considered to be developing.
According to the IMF, the country's GDP in 2007 was $18,120 million.
The main sectors of Madagascar's economy are agriculture, fishing and the cultivation of herbs and spices for export. The main export products are coffee, vanilla (Madagascar is the world's largest producer), cocoa powder, sugar cane, rice, tapioca, legumes, bananas and peanuts.
The political crisis of 2002, associated with the confrontation between supporters of Didier Ratsiraka and the new president Marc Ravalomanana, hit the country's economy hard, reducing GDP in 2002 by 12.7%. Period 2002-2005 marked as a time of fighting inflation and a gradual increase in GDP, not least thanks to foreign injections from foreign states and financial institutions.
The main sources of economic growth at the moment are tourism, exports of textile and light industry, exports of agricultural products and exports of minerals. Thanks to the unique fauna of the island, bio-tourism attracts an increasing number of people from different parts of the planet.
The free trade zones, located near Antananarivo and Antsirabe, are aimed at trade with the United States and Europe. As natural resources, coal, ilmenite and nickel are mainly mined for export. Two large oil fields have been discovered in the south of the republic.
Main trading partners: France, USA, Japan, Germany, Italy.
Culture
The Malagasy language is not related to the African languages and is very similar to the language of O. Borneo, where the island was settled from. Later, Indonesian settlers mixed with East Africans and Arabs.
The language has written literature since the 15th century. and a rich tradition of oral poetic traditions and legends. Professionals who know how to pronounce ritual speeches - kabari - are highly valued. Proverbs and sayings - fitenanana - here serve as convincing arguments, although most often they represent a paradoxical statement.
Hira gasi is a special type of folk theater art common in Madagascar. During hira ghasi, performances by traveling troupes replace each other, non-stop for weeks. The chairman of the federation of theater campaigns "Hira Gasi" founded an association of the poor (engaged in road repairs and distribution of medicines).
The Malagasy people love music so much that the 1,000-franc note featured the flautist Rakutu Frach, the grandfather of Malagasy pop music. Jean Michel Caret made the film "Red Island" about him.
Until now, one of the most popular groups in Madagascar is “Mahaleu”, which was the first to sing songs in the Malagasy language in the 70s. Its leader, Dame, was even elected as a member of parliament from the capital district in 1973.
Traditional artistic craft, often with erotic motifs. The art of carving was honed by craftsmen in the manufacture of funeral pillars - more festive than mourning symbols. The best carvers are the Zafimaniri forest people, who make unique carved furniture.
The most famous Malagasy film director is Raymond Radzaunarivelu. His film "Taba-Taba" was awarded at the 1988 Cannes Film Festival.
Malagasy literature developed under the strong influence of French. The Madagascar classic Jean-Joseph Rabiarivelu wrote in French and Malagasy. In 1937, at the age of 36, he committed suicide.
The island's most brilliant contemporary writer, Michel Rakutusun. He works as a journalist for Radio France Internationale, and also teaches Malagasy literature and writes prose and plays. For the novel "Dadabe" he received the Grand Prix of Madagascar.
Madagascar and Russia
Towards the end of his life, Peter I hastily prepared a diplomatic expedition to Madagascar, which did not take place due to the death of the king. At this time, the first Russian maps of the island were made.
The first phantasmogorical page of our connections was written by the Hungarian Slovak, Russian subject and political exile Moritz August Benevsky, who in 1771, having seduced Russian exiles, captures the Kamchatka capital Bolsheretsk, kills the local ruler Captain Nilov, takes a group of Cossacks with him, takes possession of the ship and flees from the borders Russian Empire to Madagascar.
The USSR recognized Madagascar on June 26, 1960 (the day of declaration of independence). Madagascar recognized Russia on January 2, 1992. Diplomatic relations were established on September 29, 1972. The USSR Embassy in Antananarivo was opened in 1974. The Madagascar Embassy in Moscow was opened in 1976.
The first mentions of the Great Island in Russian literature were by I. Dmitriev (1790) and Batyushkov (1810) - adaptations of the “Madagascar Song” by E. Parni. Since the beginning of the twentieth century, references and direct development of the image of Madagascar in Russian literature have become increasingly common.
The largest Russian researcher of the Malagasy language and culture is Lyudmila Alekseevna Kartashova, President of the Club of Friends of Madagascar. Her book "Madagascar and Me" was recently published.
The founder of the Club of Friends of Madagascar, Igor Sid, is also involved in relations with the Malagasy diaspora in Russia and implements various cultural projects related to the Great Island.
Based on materials prepared by Anna Brazhkina and Igor Sid.
It is famous for the alley of baobabs, waterfalls, beaches on the edge of the Indian Ocean and precious stones that are mined here and therefore sold inexpensively. When going on a trip, stock up on medical insurance and a Russian-French phrasebook, because in addition to Malagasy, the language of Emile Zola and Victor Hugo is also officially considered the official language.
Some statistics and facts
- Malagasy and French were first named together as the official languages of Madagascar in the 1958 Constitution.
- Surprisingly, Malagasy is not related to any nearby African languages.
- The total number of speakers in the world reaches 18 million people. Speakers live not only in Madagascar, but also on the islands and in.
- In 1823, Malagasy was translated into Latin.
- The stress in the language of the indigenous Madagascans often falls on the penultimate syllable in a word and often plays a meaningful role.
Where the baobabs came out onto the slope...
One of the official languages of Madagascar, belonging to the indigenous inhabitants of the island, is the most western of the Malayo-Polynesian group of languages. It is not similar to any African language and its lexical minimum has 90% overlap with the vocabulary of the Maanyang language, widespread in . Thus, by examining the language, scientists were able to establish that the indigenous population of Madagascar are people from the Malay Archipelago.
The formation of Malagasy was influenced by the Bantu, Swahili and Arabic languages, giving it many loanwords. The appearance of French words for Malagasy is quite natural, because in 1883 French colonial troops came to the island in the Indian Ocean.
By the way, English words in the everyday life of the Malagasy people also have their own interesting history. They were “shared” with the islanders by the English pirates who set up their bases in Madagascar in the 18th century.
Note to tourists
When traveling around Madagascar, enlist the support of a guide-translator. Even in tourist areas, the percentage of the population who speaks English is not very high, although some tourist information is translated into English even in remote corners of national parks.
English-speaking waiters and hotel receptionists can only be found in the capital, and therefore an accompanying person with knowledge of the official language of Madagascar will come in very handy.