Compiled by Richard Ammon GlobalGayz.com February 2012 Introduction From: US State Department Human Rights Report Madagascar, with a population of more than 20 million, is ruled by an unelected and illegal civilian regime that assumed power in a March 2009 coup with military support. Andry Nirina Rajoelina adopted the title of president of the transition,
Madagascar is an island nation in the Indian Ocean off the southeastern coast of Africa. The main island is the fourth-largest island in the world, and is home to 5% of the world’s plant and animal species, of which more than 80% are endemic to Madagascar. Full independence from France came on June 26, 1960. Agriculture, fishing and forestry are mainstays of the economy. Major exports are coffee, vanilla (Madagascar is the world’s largest producer and exporter of vanilla), sugarcane, cloves, cocoa, rice, cassava (tapioca), beans, bananas, peanuts and livestock products. Vanilla has historically been of particular importance, and when in 1985 Coca-cola switched to New Coke which involved less vanilla, Madagascar’s economy took a marked downturn, but returned to previous levels after the return of Coke Classic! Homosexuality is legal in Madagascar. The age of consent is 21. Neither homosexuality nor sodomy are mentioned in the criminal laws of Madagascar. The government acts to curb sex tourism with punishment for prostitution and pornography.
Name: Madagascar
Population: 15942000
Capital: Antananarivo - Pop. 1678000
Area: 587041 sq. km/ sq. miles
Language: French, Malagasy
Religion: Indigenous beliefs, Christian, Muslim
Status of Homosexuality: Legal
Telephone Country Code: 261