Madagascar Republique de Madagascar

Capital Antananarivo Area 226,656 sq mi 587,040 sq km Population 16,979,744 est 2003 Largest city Antananarivo pop. 1,390,800 Languages French (official), Malagasy (official) Peoples Malayo-Indonesian (Merina and related Betsileo), Cotiers (mixed African, Malayo-Indonesian, and Arab ancestry - Betsimisaraka, Tsimihety, Antaisaka, Sakalava), French, Indian, Creole, Comoran Religion indigenous beliefs 52%, Christian 41%, Islam 7% Life Expectancy total population: 56.54 years male: 54.19 years female: 58.96 years (2004 est.) Literacy total population: 68.9% male: 75.5% female: 62.5% (2003 est.) Suffrage 18 years of age; universal Government Republic back to Africa Map