What was the former name of Madagascar?

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The former name of Madagascar was “The Malagasy Republic.”

Historical Names of Madagascar:

πŸ“œ Before Independence (French Colonial Rule, 1897–1960)

  • Madagascar was a French colony from 1897 to 1960.
  • During this time, it was known simply as “Madagascar” as a part of French Madagascar.

πŸ“œ After Independence (1960–1975)

  • In 1960, Madagascar gained independence from France and officially became “The Malagasy Republic.”
  • This name reflected the Malagasy people’s identity and self-governance.

πŸ“œ Current Name (Since 1975)

  • In 1975, the country was renamed “The Democratic Republic of Madagascar” under a new socialist government.
  • Later, it became simply “The Republic of Madagascar,” which remains its official name today.

Origins of the Name “Madagascar”

  • The name “Madagascar” comes from Marco Polo’s writings in the 13th century.
  • He mistakenly used the name “Madageiscar” for the island, and the name stuck over time.
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