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10

C H APT E R

“Safe Water

Saves Lives”

Clean Drinking Water

Reduces Diarrhea-Related

Mortality in Madagascar

Steven W. Honeyman

MADAGAS CAR: A C O U NTRY OVE RVI EW

Madagascar is a lush island nation in the Indian Ocean, east of Mozambique, with
a wealth of biodiversity. Situated off the southeastern coast of Africa, nearly 60% of
the island’s 300 bird species, about 90% of its 13,000 plant species, and 96% of its
nearly 400 reptile species are found nowhere else in the world (Conservation
International, 2009). Madagascar has a diverse history as well. Formerly an inde-
pendent kingdom, Madagascar became a French colony in 1896 and regained inde-
pendence in 1960. With National Assembly and presidential elections in 1997, 17
years of single-party rule ended.
Madagascar is the fourth largest island in the world at 587,040 square kilome-
ters, almost twice the size of Arizona, with a population of 19.4 million people
(World Bank, 2008). There are more than 18 different ethnic groups; the official
languages are Malagasy, French, and English. The major religions are indigenous
beliefs (52%), Christianity (41%), and Islam (7%; Central Intelligence Agency
[CIA], 2009).