Madagascar has had many changes from 1943 to recent times, there was a revolt against the French until they emphasized efforts to improve the economy by the road system and by making coal deposits more systematically. In the 1950s France was really pushing self-government. There was a constitution of the Fifth Republic of France that was approved with 78% in 1958. They then renamed the island Malagasy Republic, a member of the French Community. Philbert Tsiranana was then elected President in 1960. The island also joined the United Nations that year. In 1975 there was a new president and with that new president came a new name for the island. It was now to be called Democratic Republic of Madagascar. The president today is Marc Ravalomanana and the prime minister is Jacques Sylla.
Madagascar is one of the worlds poorest countries. Out of the population of16,979,744 only 7,556,531are employed. Only 5% of the island is farmed because of the mountainous areas. The prime crop is rice. There is also much livestock including 10.3 million cattle, 850,00 pigs and 1.3 million goats. Forestry is also very big in Madagascar. In 2001, 354 million cubic feet of timer was cut. They are trying to increase the wood supply by reforesting eroded upland areas. The fishing industry is growing. Shrimp and lobster have become a significant source of export revenue. They let other countries fish in its maritime zone in exchange for compensation. Food processing is the leading manufacturing industry. Other manufacturing includes textiles, electronic equipment, glass, printed materials, and tobacco. There is usually a negative trade balance here. There leading trade partner are France, others include The United States of America, Germany, Japan, and Italy. They receive imports from Japan, Hong Kong, Singapore, and The United States of America. .
There are two seasons in Madagascar. From November to April it is a hot, rainy season and there is a dry season with a cooler temperature from May to October.