Formal Name: Republic of Madagascar.
Short Name: Madagascar.
Term for Citizens: Malagasy.
Capital: Antananarivo.
Date of Independence: June 26, 1960.
Size: 587,040 square kilometers.
Topography: East coast has lowlands leading to steep bluffs and central highlands; Tsaratanana Massif in north with volcanic mountains; west coast with many protected harbors and broad plains; and southwest with plateau and desert region.
Climate: Two seasons: hot, rainy from November to April; cooler, dry season from May to October; southeastern trade winds dominate; occasional cyclones.
Data as of August 1994