Natural hazards: periodic cyclones
Environment-current issues: soil erosion results from deforestation and overgrazing; desertification; surface water contaminated with raw sewage and other organic wastes; several species of flora and fauna unique to the island are endangered
Environment-international agreements: party to: Biodiversity, Desertification, Endangered Species, Marine Life Conservation, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection signed, but not ratified: Climate Change, Law of the Sea
Geography-note: world's fourth-largest island; strategic location along Mozambique Channel
@Madagascar:People
Population: 14,462,509 (July 1998 est.)
Age structure: 0-14 years: 45% (male 3,272,236; female 3,196,565) 15-64 years: 52% (male 3,722,459; female 3,792,178) 65 years and over: 3% (male 231,582; female 247,489) (July 1998 est.)
Population growth rate: 2.81% (1998 est.)
Birth rate: 41.89 births/1,000 population (1998 est.)
Death rate: 13.83 deaths/1,000 population (1998 est.)