Location: Africa
Status: UN Country
Capital City: Antananarivo
Main Cities: Toamasina, Fianarantsoa
Population: 13,702,000
Area: 587,040 km2
Currency: 1 Malagasy franc = 100 centimes
Languages: Malagasy, French
Religions: Animist, Christian, Muslim
More about Madagascar: an island republic in the Indian Ocean, off the E coast of Africa: made a French protectorate in 1895; became autonomous in 1958 and fully independent in 1960; contains unique flora and fauna. Languages: Malagasy and French. Religions: animist and Christian. Currency: franc. Capital: Antananarivo. Pop.: 17 901 000 (2004 est.). Area: 587 041 sq. km (266 657 sq. miles) Official name (since 1975): Democratic Republic of Madagascar Former name (1958-75): Malagasy Republic