French (official), Malagasy (official)

indigenous beliefs 52%, Christian 41%, Muslim 7%

The country is on a slow and steady growth path from an extremely low level. Poverty reduction and combating corruption will be the centerpieces of economic policy for the next few years.

People's Armed Forces: Intervention Force, Development Force, and Aeronaval Force (navy & air); National Gendarmerie

Short trips for business or tourism: A valid passport is required for travel to Macedonia. A visa is not required for U.S. passport holders for tourist and business trips up to 90 days during a six-month period. Macedonia requires that all foreign citizens entering the country provide proof of health insurance at the port of entry. Entry stamps are issued at airports or land border crossing points, which grant permission to remain 90 days. All foreign citizens must register with local police within 24 hours of arrival. Those staying in private accommodations or renting an apartment should register in person at the police station nearest his/her place of residence, and should be accompanied to the station by the owner or landlord of the apartment. Hotels are responsible for the registration of foreign guests. Travelers who change addresses in Macedonia should notify the police station where they initially registered and re-register with the police station closest to the new place of residence. An unaccompanied U.S. citizen minor who enters Macedonia should be in possession of a notarized statement of consent from a parent or guardian to enter and stay in the country. The statement of consent must be certified by a competent authority of the country from which s/he arrives or by a diplomatic or consular mission of the Republic of Macedonia abroad NOTE: A U.S. citizen who possesses more than one passport is required to leave the country with the travel document used for entry into the country. Temporary residence: Individuals intending to work, study, or remain longer then 90 days in Macedonia must obtain an entry visa prior to their arrival in Macedonia. The practice of switching from tourist status to long-term status when already in Macedonia is no longer allowed. Those wanting to do so must leave Macedonia and apply for a long-term visa at a Macedonian Embassy or Consulate. American citizens resident in the United States may apply at the Macedonian Embassy in Washington D.C., located at 2129 Wyoming Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20008, tel.: (202) 667-0501; fax: (202) 667-2131; or visit the Embassy of Macedonia's website for more information. The passport should be valid for at least three months longer than the validity of the visa. For additional information about the conditions and procedures for visa issuance, the applicant may visit Macedonian Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ website for a list of Macedonian Embassies and Consulates. Travelers should be aware that all border areas apart from designated border crossings are restricted zones. Presence in these zones is forbidden without prior official permission. Information about dual nationality or the prevention of international child abduction can be found on our web site. For further information about customs regulations, please read our Customs Information Sheet.

Airports:  116, Airports w/paved runways:  29

Antananarivo – Ivato International Airport (TNR/FMMI)
Antananarivo Airport, Madagascar, BP 5721, Antananarivo 101, REPUBLIC OF MADAGASCAR
Antananarivo Airport, Madagascar, Route d’Ivato, Antananarivo 101, REPUBLIC OF MADAGASCAR
Tel: +261 (0)202 244041
Fax: +261 (0)202 244042

US Dept. of State TRAVEL WARNING for MADAGASCAR
http://travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/tw/tw_madagascar.html

March 9, 2009
The State Department warns U. S. citizens of the risks of traveling to Madagascar, and recommends deferring all but essential travel to Madagascar because of escalating civil unrest stemming from a political rift between supporters of the former mayor of the capital city of Antananarivo and the government of Madagascar.  This replaces the Madagascar Travel Alert of January 28, to note that the Department of State has authorized the departure of non-emergency personnel and family members at the U.S. Embassy in Antananarivo, recommend against non-essential travel to Madagascar, and update security concerns.
Since January 2009, Madagascar has been experiencing escalating political demonstrations including violent clashes between government forces and supporters of the former mayor of Antananarivo.  Looting, and the burning of residences and businesses have occurred.  While American citizens have not been targeted to date, the Department of State has authorized the departure of non-emergency personnel and family members at the U.S. Embassy in Antananarivo due to the ongoing unrest and security concerns.  The Department of State advises U.S. citizens against non-essential travel to Madagascar at this time. American citizens already in Madagascar should carefully consider the dangers of remaining.  Those who do choose to remain despite this warning should continue to maintain a high level of vigilance and a low profile.
The Department of State urges American citizens to take responsibility for their own personal security while traveling overseas, to review emergency procedures and contingency plans, and to remain aware of their surroundings at all times.  American citizens in Madagascar should ensure they have enough water, food, and supplies in stock in the event of an emergency.  The dynamic political situation may require the U.S. Embassy in Madagascar to close for safety and security reasons without much advance notice.  The Embassy will nevertheless endeavor to notify American citizens of any such closures via warden message, posted at http://www.antananarivo.usembassy.gov/warden-messages.html.
American citizens in Madagascar are urged to register with the Department of State or the U.S. Embassy in Antananarivo, Madagascar, through the State Department's travel registration website, https://travelregistration.state.gov.  By registering, American citizens make it easier for the Embassy in Antananarivo to contact them in case of emergency.  Please be sure to include your e-mail address and cellular phone number.
The Embassy is located at 14-16 Rue Rainitovo, Antsahavola, Antananarivo.  The mailing address is B.P. 620, Antsahavola, Antananarivo, Madagascar; telephone [261] (20) 22-212-57 during regular business hours and for after-hours emergencies; fax [261] (20) 22-345-39.  The Consular Section e-mail address is antanwarden@state.gov.  The Embassy's web site is located at http://www.antananarivo.usembassy.gov.
Updated information on travel and security in Madagascar may be obtained from the Department of State by calling 1-888-407-4747 toll-free in the United States and Canada, or for callers outside the United States and Canada, a regular toll line at 1-202-501-4444.  For further information, please consult the Country Specific Information for Madagascar and the Worldwide Caution available on the Bureau of Consular Affairs Internet website at http://travel.state.gov.

Infant MR total:  57.02 deaths/ 1,000 live births
Life expectancy at birth:  TOTAL 62.12 years (male 60.23/ female 64.1)

Required:  None
Recommended:  Malaria, Hep A & B, Rabies, Typhoid
Boosters:  MMR, DPT

degree of risk: high

Malaria is prevalent, particularly in the coastal regions.  Rabies is endemic and there are many street dogs. Plague is also endemic to Madagascar. While the reported HIV prevalence rate is low, particularly by African standards, Madagascar suffers from a very high reported incidence of other sexually transmitted diseases.

Standards of healthcare throughout Madagascar are well below U.S. standards. However, there are foreign physicians in Antananarivo representing a broad range of specialties. The hospitals in Antananarivo vary greatly in standards of care. Medical care outside of Antananarivo is generally well below the care available in the capital city. Caution and good judgment should be exercised when seeking hospital and medical services. Some medications, generally of French origin, are available in Antananarivo. Outside of Antananarivo, medications may not be available.

Dengue, filariasis, leishmaniasis, onchocerciasis (river blindness) are other diseases carried by insects that also occur in the region. In 2005-2006, massive outbreaks of chikungunya, a mosquito-borne infection, occurred on island countries in the southwest Indian Ocean (Réunion, Mayotte, Mauritius, and Seychelles). Infections were also imported by returning travelers to Europe (160 imported cases in France alone) and the United States. Schistosomiasis can be contracted in fresh water in this region.

Country Calling Code:  +261
Internet Country Code:  .mg