| Madagascar | pos>prop. n. An island in the Indian Ocean, about 240 miles off the southeast coast of Africa, governed as a single country, the Republic of Madagascar. It is the world's fourth-largest island, with a total area of 587, 040 sq km, with 4, 828 km of coastline. Once a French colony, it gained independence from France in 1960. The name of the government after independence was the Malagasy Republic. [ PJC ] Formerly an independent kingdom, Madagascar became a French colony in 1886, but regained its independence in 1960. During 1992-93, free presidential and National Assembly elections were held, ending 17 years of single-party rule. In 1997 in the second presidential race, Didier RATSIRAKA, the leader during the 1970s and 1980s, was returned to the presidency. The Population: is 15, 982, 563 (July 2001 est.) The highest point is Maromokotro, at 2, 876 m. Natural resources are: graphite, chromite, coal, bauxite, salt, quartz, tar sands, semiprecious stones, mica, fish, and hydropower. CIA World Factbook [ PJC ] |
| madagascar pepper | n. (Bot.) A climber (Piper nigrum) having dark red berries (peppercorns) when fully ripe; found in South India and Sri Lanka; naturalized in North Burma and Assam.
Syn. -- pepper, common pepper, black pepper, white pepper, Madagascar pepper, Piper nigrum. [ WordNet 1.5 ] |
| madagascar periwinkle | n. (Bot.) A commonly cultivated Old World woody herb (Vinca rosea) having large pinkish to red flowers.
Syn. -- periwinkle, rose periwinkle, Madagascar periwinkle, old maid, Cape periwinkle, red periwinkle, cayenne jasmine, Catharanthus roseus, Vinca rosea. [ WordNet 1.5 ] |
| madagascar plum | n. (Bot.) A small shrubby tree (Flacourtia indica) of Madagascar cultivated in tropical regions as a hedge plant and for its deep red acid fruits resembling small plums.
Syn. -- governor's plum, governor plum, Madagascar plum, ramontchi, batoko palm, Flacourtia indica. [ WordNet 1.5 ] |
