The island of Madagascar began to be populated from about the 6th-5th centuries BC. The first to arrive in Madagascar were the inhabitants of Southeast Asia, India, Iran and East Africa. Today, the island’s indigenous population is the Malagasy. These are the descendants of mixed marriages of these peoples. In the 7th century, the Arabs founded a trading port in the northwest of the island.
At the beginning of the 16th century, the Portuguese landed on the territory of Madagascar, since then numerous attempts by Europeans to conquer the island began. However, local residents resisted them, preventing them from establishing permanent settlements. It was at this moment that several intertribal formations arose on the territory of modern Madagascar, the most significant of which turned out to be the Merina. It reached its peak in the 18th century, when the ruler Andrianampuinimerin strengthened the position of the state with the help of military campaigns, diplomacy and dynastic marriages. In 1818, his son Radama assumed the title of King of Madagascar. Check a2zdirectory for old history of Madagascar.
In the 1880s, the French began their invasion of the island, followed by a series of bloody wars. Madagascar was forced to recognize the protectorate of France. In 1896, the period of French colonization began, which lasted until the middle of the 20th century. For almost a century, local residents staged anti-colonial protests, not wanting to obey the invaders. The colonists planted vanilla, cloves and coffee plantations on the island, which they successfully exported. At the same time, they widely used forced labor of the local population. In 1946, Madagascar received the status of “overseas territory” of France. In March 1947, armed uprisings of the population began in the eastern provinces of the country, the main demand of which was to grant independence to the island. As a result of prolonged opposition to the authorities, in 1956, the Malagasy got their way, France passed a law establishing autonomous governments in the colonies, and on June 26, 1960, an independent Malagasy Republic was proclaimed. The political parties created in the country were constantly arguing over the issues of the foreign policy of the state, new parties periodically came to power. In December 1987, a course was set for the socialist development of the island, and the country became known as the “Democratic Republic of Madagascar”. However, already in 1992, it was decided to abandon this course, and in September the state was proclaimed a parliamentary republic under the name “Republic of Madagascar”.
Nowadays, the main economy of the country is the export of spices, coffee, meat, seafood, timber and fruits.
NOCY BE ISLAND
Nosy Be is the most popular beach resort in Madagascar. It is located 159 km southwest of the city Antseranana. Nosy Be area – 321 sq. km. Tourists love this island for its fun atmosphere – there are many restaurants and nightclubs, as well as for calm coastal waters and clean beaches. The most popular beaches of Nosy Be are Andilana (in the north of the island), the beaches of the nearby coral islands of Tsarabanina, Ankarea, Nosy Coba and Nosy Iranya.
The capital of the island is the city of Elville (Anduani). It is worth visiting the Center for Oceanographic Research, the Diving Center, the old prison built in 1855, and the bustling city market. Not far from Elvil is the Lokobe Nature Reserve.. Lokobe is the only place on Nosy Be where the remnants of the “sambirano” forests with boa trees that once completely covered the island are preserved, and where black lemurs are found.
Be sure to head to the Nosy Tanikeli Marine Park, where you can go diving and get to know the underwater world of the coastal waters of Madagascar. The diving depth in the park reaches 18 m, the underwater world is represented by turtles, octopuses, stingrays, parrot fish, clown fish and groupers. Nosy Be is a paradise for snorkelers and divers. The main dive centers of the island are located in the Ambatoloaka area.
