Marc Ravalomanana
President

(pronounced "MARK rah-va-low-MAH-nah-nah")

"What the Malagasy need now is discipline."

The Democratic Republic of Madagascar is located in the Indian Ocean, approximately 386 km (240 mi) off the southeast coast of Africa. It is the fourth-largest island in the world, covering an area of 587,041 sq km (226,657 sq mi). The central region of the island is dominated by a mountainous plateau, partly volcanic in origin. The elevation reaches 2,876 m (9,436 ft) atop Mount Maromokotro in the north. A narrow coastal plain is found in the east while a wider plain covers the west coast. The south is an extremely arid desert region.

The population of Madagascar, estimated at 16.5 million people in 2002, is ethnically diverse. The two major groups are the Mérinas (Hova) of Indonesian descent and peoples of African descent. Other smaller groups include Indians, Pakistanis, Comorans, French, Chinese, and people of...