Capital city: Antananarivo, largest city (main international airport).
Area: 587041 square km
National day: 26 June 1960. Former French colony. Known as Malagasy Republic until 1975.
Independence: 26th June
Population: 16 million as of 2000
Languages: Malagasy and French (both official).
Currency: Malagasy francs (FMG)