government and is widely spoken in the main cities. A few people involved in the tourism industry might be able to speak some English, but it is not widely spoken.
Currency: The official currency is the Malagasy ariary (MGA), which has been reintroduced to replace the Malagasy franc. Coins and notes display both currencies, but newer notes display the ariary more prominently than the franc. One ariary is equal to five francs. Foreign currencies can be exchanged at banks and official bureaux de
change, but the ariary cannot be changed back into hard currency. Some banks will only accept US dollars or Euro. Travelers cheques can be exchanged at most banks and in major hotels, but some banks refuse to accept them. ATMs are available in Antananarivo. Most major credit cards are starting to be accepted in top hotels and major travel agencies in the capital and other major towns, but have limited usage elsewhere.
Electricity: Electrical current is 220 volts AC, 50Hz. Plugs are generally two-pin.
Communications: The international dialing code for Madagascar is +261. The outgoing code is 00 followed by the relevant country code (e.g. 0027 for South Africa). To make an international call to Madagascar, the dialing code of 261 must be followed by a two-digit operator code (e.g. 20 for TELMA, the most reliable), then the regional code (e.g. 22 for Antananarivo) and then the five-digit number. A GSM 900 network is in use, covering major cities and main roads. Public Internet access exists in large cities; there are a few Internet cafes in Antananarivo.Madagascar Information and History
Off Africa's southeast coast in the Indian Ocean, Madagascar is the world's fourth largest island after Greenland, New Guinea, and Borneo. A stunning diversity of plant and animal species found nowhere else evolved after the island broke away from the African continent 165 million years ago. It has a mountainous central plateau and coastal plains. The first settlers were of African and Asian origin, and 18 separate ethnic groups emerged, derived from an African and Malayo-Indonesian mixture. Asian features are most predominant in the central highlands people, and coastal people tend to show features of African origin. Most of the population depend on subsistence farming, based on rice and cattle, with coffee, vanilla, and seafood being important exports.
French colonial rule began in 1896; independence came in 1960. In 1990, after almost 20 years of Marxism, Madagascar lifted a ban on opposition parties, and a new president was elected in 1993. Elections in 2001 resulted in a period of civil unrest, lasting for several months, until Marc Ravalomanana was declared winner of the presidential election. Environmental degradation is a major concern as damaging agricultural practices cause deforestation, soil erosion, and desertification. The island is heavily exposed to tropical cyclones, which brought destructive floods in 2004.
ECONOMY
Industry: meat processing, soap, breweries, tanneries.
Agriculture: coffee, vanilla, sugarcane, cloves; livestock products.
Exports: coffee, vanilla, shellfish, sugar, cotton cloth, chromite, petroleum products.
Population
17,308,000
Capital
Antananarivo; 1,678,000
Area
587,041 square kilometers
(226,658 square miles)
Language
French, Malagasy
Religion
Indigenous beliefs, Christian, Muslim
these facts helped me on my journey on the way to the trail.
