MADAGASCAR

(12° to 25° 30’ 39.3 43° 12’ to 50° 30’ K.), large island off 8. HE. coast of Africa; is separated from Africa by the Mozambique Channel on the W.; area, c. 228,000 sq. miles; eastern part is of Archean, western of Secondary formation; interior rugged with mountains and mountain chains rising to 3,000-5,000 ft., sloping down on both sides to low ground about 600 ft. above level; between ranges are plateaux, «nd highest part of island is near center, Here Ankaratra, probably an extinct olea no, reaches height of 9,000 ft.; drained by Onilahy, Mangoly, Tsiribihina, Betsiboka, and other streams; rargest lake, Alaotra. Capital, An tan an a rivo; important towns are Diego iimate hot and unhealthy on coasts, more temperate and healthy in interior. Modern European knowledge of M. dates from 1500, when it was sighted it is said to have been visited by Almeida in 1506. Early Portuguese and Dutch attempts at colonization proved unsucce ful, and the first Portuguese settlement, established in 1548, was destroyed in following cent. by French. Their settlement at Fort Dauphin was seized by English in 1810-11, and _the territory was in 1818 ceded to King Radama on his abolishing slave trade. Under Radama Christianity was introdguced; but on his death power was seized by Queen Ran aval on a I., who was opposed to Christianity, expelled mi ionaries, and persecuted native Christians. Under _ her succe ors, valona II., Christianity was again encouraged, treaties were made with England, France, and America, and considerable progre was made. In 1883 war with France broke out, and in this year also Ran aval on a II. d. and was succ. by Ran aval on a III. War continued for two years, and ended in 1885, when treaty was made whereby France obtained Diego Saurez and_ the right partially to control foreign affairs of island, while a Fr. Resident was to be sent to the capital. French increased their demands in 1894, and on these being rejected sent force against island in 1895. Fr. protectorate was established in same year, the queen being allowed to remain on throne; but in 1896 rebellion occurred, and M. was annexed to France, Ran aval on a III. being banished to Algeria. this several insurrections broke After but by 1901 whole island had subout, to i'r. control. Trade and educamitted have made rapid progre in recent tion and in 1907 a large number of years; gold-mining conce ions were granted. has luxuriant vegetation, most _M. trees being bananas, cocoa valuable nuts, orange and mulberry trees, areca palms, pandunas, rubber, cotton, hemp, rice, produces coffee, cacao, vanilla, tobacco, manioc, Minerals include gold, sugar-cane. iron, lead, silver, antimony, copper, lignite, salt. Railway mileage, sulphur, Pop. 1920, 3,512,390. See Map ¢. 190. or AFRICA. town, Caserta, Italy. Pop. 21,000.