Full country name: Republic of Madagascar (Repoblikan'i Madagasiraka)
Area: 594,180 sq km
Population: 15.5 million
Capital city: Antananarivo (Tana) (pop 800,000)
People: Eighteen major ethnic groups, including Malayo-Indonesian, African, Arab, French, Indian, Creole and Comoran
Languages: Malagasy and French
Religion: Christianity and Islam
Government: Republic
President: Didier Ratsiraka

GDP: US$12.3 billion
GDP per head: US$800
Annual growth: 4.8%
Inflation: 10%
Major industries: Agriculture, meat processing, soap, textiles, cement, automotive assembly, petroleum products
Major trading partners: France, Hong Kong, China, Japan, Singapore