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Madagascar: Countries
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The majority of the biodiversity of Madagascar is found in the forests, which are ... the direct source of livelihoods for over 90% of the country's population. Forests provide wood, non-timber forest products, and water for the rice-growing rural population. Madagascar has lost most of its forests and only around 15% of the land surface remains forested. This has been due, in recent times, to slash and burn agriculture, agricultural expansion, grazing, as well as uncontrolled wildfires. The poor infrastructure, particularly the lack of roads across the country also puts immense constraints on the ability for people to develop and have alternatives to destructive and unsustainable resource use.
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Madagascar is still known by many only due to the recent Pixar movie. While those animals never even make it to Madagascar, nor do most of those animals even exist in Madagascar, there is a reason they chose to name the movie after this country. The name brings up images of strange and unfamiliar animals, exotic and distant lands, all with a touch of harshness to let us know that there are still a lot of unknown and unexplored parts in the country and many dramatic differences in terrain, lifestyle and culture.
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CARE opened operations in Madagascar in 1992 at a time when the country was experiencing a severe economic crisis. Currently, CARE's involve rural development programs focus on sustainable natural resource management and food and household livelihood security. CARE ... implements urban programs that focus on health, environmental sanitation, social and personal empowerment, and income generation. CARE promotes safe water systems and safe practices for disinfecting and storing household water. CARE is also involved in risk and disaster management, including the development of disaster information systems, vulnerability assessment, risk mapping, early warning systems, and the execution of disaster preparation, planning and mitigation projects.
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Vakoka brings together thirteen of Madagascar's most talented musicians to explore diverse traditions and push the boundaries of Malagasy music, led by Seta Ramaroson and Hanitra (founding member and leader of Tarika). Over a six-week period this 'all-star' cast from around the country worked together to create a record that showcases the island's incredibly diverse musical and cultural heritage. The resulting songs carry the joy and emotion of a remarkable group as they explore each other's musical traditions, blending the old and new in a way rarely heard – on this island or any other.
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President Ravalomanana has stated that he welcomes relations with all countries interested in helping Madagascar to develop. He travels widely promoting Madagascar abroad and has consciously sought to strengthen relations with Anglophone countries as a means of balancing traditionally strong French influence. He has ... cultivated strong ties with China during his tenure.
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CARE's projects in Madagascar. http://www.care.org/careswork/countryprofiles/76.asp Describes CARE's health and community development programs, Mahavelona (including a village school) which was devastated by Cyclone Bonita in 1996, a visit to the Périnet Reserve home to many lemurs, work to save the rain forests of Masoala National Park. http://www.careusa.org/vft/madagascar/index.asp
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