Archeological finds testify, that formation of the people occupying Madagascar, passed in a course of numerous resettlements and assimilation of natives of east Africa, Indonesia and the countries of the Arabian East. To nach. 16 centuries were apprx. 18 ethnic groups differing from each other by the form of economic activities (I carry – fishers, the gelding – farmers-risovody, sakalava – cattlemen). In 16–17 centuries in territory of modern Madagascar there were some interbreeding political educations: Arindranu, Isandra, Lalangina and Manandriana (betsileu), Bueni It (is violent) and Menabe (sakalava), Imerina (gelding). The most significant – Imerina (of Antananarivo is based on its territory, the first mention about which is dated 1726), reached the blossoming in 18 centuries the command of Portuguese seafarer F.Suarisha (1506) became the First Europeans who have landed on island. Colonists (Frenchmen) have appeared for the first time on island Sent-Mari (nowadays – an island Nusi-Buraha) in 1642. Attempts of Portugueses, Englishmen and Dutches at 17-18 a century to be justified on Madagascar have failed because of repulse of local residents. East coast (first of all islands Sent-Mari) became a haven of pirates.
To nach. 19 centuries governor Imeriny Andrianampujnimerina by means of military campaigns, diplomacy and dynastic marriages has strengthened state items. (The gelding became a nucleus of consolidation of the numerous people of island). His son – Radama I – in 1818 has accepted a title of the king of Madagascar. Having concluded the agreement with the Great Britain and having allowed activity of English missionaries on island, has received the military help and has created regular army. Later the Antieuropean moods of queen Ranavaluny I-й promoted Christianity prohibition on island and to the termination of trade with Europe. In board of queens Ranavaluny of II th and Ranavaluny III th (1868–1895) for preservation of independence of Madagascar were repeatedly used contradictions between England and France, and the Christianity became religion of the people of the gelding. The French expansion was reinstated in 1882. As a result of two ex-malagasijskih wars (1883–1895) France has abolished a local monarchy and in June 1896 declared island the colony. Natural anticolonial performances proceeded to 1917.
In history of Madagascar there are the pages connected with Russia. Exiled running from Kamchatka were the first our compatriots who have seen island-continent: in 1774 in gulf Antonzhil (a northeast part of island) exiled of the Bolsheretsky jail who in April 1771 have lifted revolt have landed and, having seized the ship «Sacred Peter», have left Russia. Headed the command one of the basic instigators of revolt – Moritz Avgust Benovsky (having lost an entail property to Hungary (after grab by its cousins), has entered the Polish army and battled against Russian. Has been taken prisoner, ran from it, and after capture it is sent in a jail to Kamchatka). Among its companions – the run away rebels – there were military men, Cossacks, etc. Benovsky it was possible to come into contact to local residents of island (they even considered as its descendant of a royal sort influential on Madagascar ramini, as the fates decree thrown on island Ile-de-France – modern island Mauritius), it has based trading port Luisburg and helped Malagasies to resist to Frenchmen. He is buried on Madagascar, and him here remember (data on M.A.Benovskom contain in malagasijskoj encyclopaedias).
Pages of history of military fleet of Russia are connected with island Madagascar also. In April 1890 at island Sent-Mari (nowadays the island Nusi-Buraha) within 17 days stood a naval vessel a clipper the "Dzhigit" sent by the Russian government for survey of islands in Indian ocean. And in December 1904 near to the same island, having got at ocean in a storm, became on an anchor Russian squadron led by an admiral Rozhestvensky. The ships were directed to the Far East, to Tsushima. The participant of this campaign A.S.Novikov (subsequently the known writer the Novikov-surf) has described island Sent-Mari in the novel Tsushima later. In expectation of the second part of a squadron which went not round Africa, and through Suez canal, the squadron of an admiral Rozhestvensky has made a two-month stop on island Nusi-Be. The Parking lot of these ships on island (commands totaled them of 12 thousand seamen) till now name «the Bay of Russian».
The colonial period. Economy of colonists based on cultivation of export cultures – vanilla, carnations and coffee. The mining industry (graphite and gold extraction) has started to develop. Everywhere local population compulsory labour was widely used. The colonial administration leant against support of the gelding, making the majority in bureaucracy. To 1946 Madagascar has received the status of "overseas territory» France. The first political organisation – «Democratic movement for malagasijskoe revival» (DDMV) – has arisen in 1946. The consignment supported independence achievement peace by, its leaders Ravuahangi and Z.Raseta represented island in the French parliament. In March 1947 in east provinces the armed performances of the population granting to self-management island was which main request have begun. As a result of long opposition to the authorities (18 months) on informal data were lost 80 thousand people Before acceptance by France in 1956 laws on creation of the independent governments in colonies the interdiction for activity of political organisations operated. Movement for independence has headed created in 1956 "Social-democratic party" (SDP). Its leader Filber Tsiranana in 1959 is selected by the first president of Madagascar.
The period of independent development. As a result of negotiations with France F.Tsiranany's government has received the consent to the island sovereignty, and on June, 26th 1960 the independent Malagasijsky Republic is proclaimed. The basic economic and political partners of a steel the former mother country and the republic of South Africa. Mass excitements of students and workers in May 1972 have compelled F.Tsirananu to pass the power of a time military directory. In December 1975 after referendum realisation the new constitution which has proclaimed a rate on a socialist way of development of island is accepted. The country began to be called «Democratic Republic Madagascar», by its president the captain of second rank Dide Ratsiraka (it was re-elected also in 1982 and 1989) is selected. The government followed a policy on easing of the French influence and restriction of items of the foreign capital in economy, supported anticolonial movements in Africa and communication with the socialist countries. Under the pressure of opposition (in 1980 8 political parties officially operated) in 1992 the new constitution which has fixed a parliamentary control system and failure from sotsialisticheski of focused development is accepted. In September 1992 country has received the name "Republic Madagascar". In 1993–1995 on a presidential post there was Albert Zafi.
Preschedule presidential elections 1996 were won by D.Ratsiraka (50,71 % of voices), and its consignment «for updating of Madagascar» (AREMA) has won Avant-guard on parliamentary elections 1998. In nach. 1997 on Madagascar from 300 government facilities have been privatised 51 (the privatisation programme is accepted in 1988). Aggravation of economic circumstances and strengthening of internal political struggle have led to conditions destabilization in the country. On the presidential elections which have taken place on December, 16th 2001, any of 6 candidates has not typed a majority of votes. The mayor of of Antananarivo Mark Ravalumanana who has received on official data of 46,4 % of voices, has refused to participate in the second round, asserting, that has got support of 52,15 % of voters. It has proclaimed itself(himself) the president and has generated the parallel government. On all country there passed meetings with a request to recognise as the president M.Ravalumananu. D.Ratsiraka who has typed in the first round of 40,9 % of voices, contrary to the decision of the maximum constitutional court persistently disagreed on realisation of the second round of elections. Together with the government it has moved in a the Toamasina declared by new capital of Madagascar. On January, 29th 2002 in of Antananarivo has passed mass (more than 1 million people) meeting of opposition in support of M.Ravalumanany. On its party there were also 90 % of the officer case and a local French community – one of the most numerous in Africa. Three-week national strike in February has paralysed a country life, shares of civil disobedience have begun. D.Ratsiraka declared state of emergency in capital, between contending parties street fights have begun. D.Ratsiraki's supporters have passed to terror – to explosions of bridges and roads, punishments over those who supported the new president.
In April 2002 in Dakar (Senegal) with active assistance of the African union (EXPERT) M.Ravalumanana and D.Ratsiraka have signed the agreement on a political crisis peaceful settlement on island. By results of the recalculation of voices spent under the decision of the maximum constitutional court, the president declares M.Ravalumanana. D.Ratsiraka has reinstated the armed opposition. By June all provinces were under control to 2002 new president, its legitimacy recognised many countries of the world. D.Ratsiraki's supporters without fight have handed over to the governmental armies of Toamasina, and he ran to France (in August 2003 for plunder of public funds – assignment in June, 2002 of 7 million euro – the country supreme court of judicature has in absentia sentenced it to 10 years of a hard labour).
In October of 2002 National meeting, the majority in which was made D.Ratsiraki's by supporters, has been dismissed, the number of deputy places in him is increased to 160. On the elections which have taken place in quiet conditions on December, 15th 2002, victory have gained (102 places – 60 %) created in 2001 consignment TIM (in transfer with malagasijskogo language I mean «I like Madagascar») and parties supporting its (29 places). The EXPERT recognised M.Ravalumanany's legitimacy.
The economic policy of the new president is calculated for close interaction of the state and private sectors. All duties on import and tax levies for 350 kinds of consumer goods and the equipment are abolished. In September 2003 new laws in sphere of the foreign investments allowing including are passed. Acquisition of the earths. Gross national product growth in 2003 has made 6 %. Gross national product volume – 13,02 billion US dollars (2003). The basic financial backing to Madagascar is rendered by the World bank (VB). The country also receives IMF financial aid under program HIPC (Heavily Indebted Poor Countries), represented the poorest countries with the high foreign debt. In May 2003 VB has written off 32 million US dollars of the foreign debt of the country.
On council election (November 2003), passed in quiet conditions, party in power TIM has won. The Rise in prices (as a result of political crisis 2002 level of production has decreased on 25 %, the prices for rice – a food stand product – have increased by 375 %) became the reason of strengthening of discontent of Malagasiesgovernment economic policy. In November of 2004 prices for bread again were lifted on 50 %. Demonstrations of state employees and students were became frequent. In January 2004 there has passed government reorganisation – 12 ministers are replaced. For 2004 it is made apprx. 20 acts of terrorism concerning statesmen of the top echelon. During the largest (demonstration in June on the occasion of Independence Day) 40 people are wounded
In the end of January 2005 on the south of Madagascar the cyclone "Ernest" has fallen: 3 people were lost, 83 – were missing. The largest damage to island for the last decades was put by cyclones "Elite" and "Gafilo" (2004) – 295 people were lost, 300 thousand people remained without a roof over a head.
