History
Lieutenant & Commander Didier Ratsiraka (1975 - 1992 )
It is believed that the people of Madagascar are decendants from Indonesians and Africans who reached the island in ancient times.
In 1642 the French gained a foothold on the island, and in 1946 Madagascar became an overseas territory of France.
During the 1950s France took measures to increase self-government on the island and in the late 1950s Madagascar was renamed the Malagasy Republic. After a decade of political stability, Madagascar experienced serious conflicts in the early 1970s. That's why on December 30, 1975, the country was renamed the Democratic Republic of Madagascar. On the following month Lieutenant, Commander Didier Ratsiraka was named president.
For more information you can visit this web sites:
http://www.madanet.com/presider.htm
http://www.air-mad.com/history.htm
