Madagascar lies in the Indian Ocean off the southeast coast of Africa opposite Mozambique. The world's fourth-largest island, it is twice the size of Arizona. The country's low-lying coastal area gives way to a central plateau. The once densely wooded interior has largely been cut down.
The island is first known to Europeans after being sighted in 1500 by a Portuguese ship on the new route to India, but it is not until a century later that much outside attention is paid to the place. In the 17th century, Portuguese missionaries try to bring to the Malagasy the news of Christianity, and both Britain and France attempt to establish settlements.
A colonial administration was set up, to which the Comoro Islands were attached in 1908, and other territories later. In World War II, the British occupied Madagascar, which retained ties to Vichy France. An autonomous republic within the French Community since 1958, Madagascar became an independent member of the community in 1960.
The colors impressed on the flags represent the struggles of its people for independence from French tyranny. The history of Madagascar will tell that the colors green and red were once used by Queen Ranavalona III as the flag of Merina kingdom which yielded to France’s domination in 1896. Queen Ranavalona III was the last reigning Merina monarch before the kingdom succumbed to French rule.
Possibly based on traditions in Indonesia, the original home of the Malagasy, the predominant flag colors of Madagascar have always been white and red. In the mid-17th century, for example, those colors were chosen by the Sakalava dynasty when it came to power. They named their country the kingdom of Menabé, which means “great red.†In the late 17th century the Merina (Hova) kingdom was established.
They also represent the ethnic origins of the Malagasy people in Southeast Asia and are shared by the flag of Indonesia. Green was the color of the Hova, a class of commoners who played a significant role in the independence movement. The modern day interpretation of the Madagascar flag colors believes that red standing for sovereignty, white represents purity and green means hope. The Flag Company Inc specialized in flag designs offered a special edition of decals and flags to memorize the history of Madagascar Flag for the future.
The island is first known to Europeans after being sighted in 1500 by a Portuguese ship on the new route to India, but it is not until a century later that much outside attention is paid to the place. In the 17th century, Portuguese missionaries try to bring to the Malagasy the news of Christianity, and both Britain and France attempt to establish settlements.
A colonial administration was set up, to which the Comoro Islands were attached in 1908, and other territories later. In World War II, the British occupied Madagascar, which retained ties to Vichy France. An autonomous republic within the French Community since 1958, Madagascar became an independent member of the community in 1960.
The colors impressed on the flags represent the struggles of its people for independence from French tyranny. The history of Madagascar will tell that the colors green and red were once used by Queen Ranavalona III as the flag of Merina kingdom which yielded to France’s domination in 1896. Queen Ranavalona III was the last reigning Merina monarch before the kingdom succumbed to French rule.
Possibly based on traditions in Indonesia, the original home of the Malagasy, the predominant flag colors of Madagascar have always been white and red. In the mid-17th century, for example, those colors were chosen by the Sakalava dynasty when it came to power. They named their country the kingdom of Menabé, which means “great red.†In the late 17th century the Merina (Hova) kingdom was established.
They also represent the ethnic origins of the Malagasy people in Southeast Asia and are shared by the flag of Indonesia. Green was the color of the Hova, a class of commoners who played a significant role in the independence movement. The modern day interpretation of the Madagascar flag colors believes that red standing for sovereignty, white represents purity and green means hope. The Flag Company Inc specialized in flag designs offered a special edition of decals and flags to memorize the history of Madagascar Flag for the future.
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