Madagascar
[ mad-uh-gas-ker ]
/ ˌmæd əˈgæs kər /
noun
an island republic in the Indian Ocean, about 240 miles (385 km) off the SE coast of Africa: formerly a French colony; gained independence 1960. 227,800 sq. mi. (590,000 sq. km). Capital: Antananarivo.
Formerly
Malagasy Republic.
OTHER WORDS FROM Madagascar
Mad·a·gas·can, noun, adjective pro-Mad·a·gas·can, adjective, nounExample sentences from the Web for madagascar
British Dictionary definitions for madagascar
Madagascar
/ (ˌmædəˈɡæskə) /
noun
an island republic in the Indian Ocean, off the E coast of Africa: made a French protectorate in 1895; became autonomous in 1958 and fully independent in 1960; contains unique flora and fauna. Languages: Malagasy and French. Religions: animist and Christian. Currency: franc. Capital: Antananarivo. Pop: 22 599 098 (2013 est). Area: 587 041 sq km (266 657 sq miles)
Official name (since 1975): Democratic Republic of Madagascar Former name (1958–75): Malagasy Republic
Cultural definitions for madagascar
Madagascar
[ (mad-uh-gas-kuhr) ]
Island republic in the Indian Ocean off the southeastern coast of Africa. Its capital and largest city is Antananarivo.
notes for Madagascar
The island of Madagascar is the fourth largest in the world.
notes for Madagascar
Madagascar was under French control from the late nineteenth century until 1960, when it gained full independence. Its
culture mixes European, African, and South Asian influences.