The Republic of Madagascar is located about 400 kilometers (250 miles) off the west coast of southern Africa in the Indian Ocean, east of Mozambique. It has a tropical climate along its narrow coastal plain and a temperate climate in its mountainous center. The country is the world's fourth largest island, slightly smaller than Texas. Among its modest natural resources are graphite, chromite, coal, bauxite, salt, mica, some semiprecious stones, and fish. The economy is overwhelmingly agricultural, with 85 percent of the population employed in farming of some sort. According to the CIA World Factbook, Madagascar had a population of nearly 17 million in 2003.

(MAP BY MARYLAND CARTOGRAPHICS/THE GALE GROUP)

Once an independent kingdom, Madagascar became a French colony in 1885, before reestablishing its full independence in 1960. These negotiations for independence were led by President Philibert Tsiranana (1912–1978), who was firmly committed to maintaining positive relations with the West. In consolidating power just...