Madagascar

SAFETY: good
Madagascar can be considered a safe country, provided the usual common-sense precautions are taken.

TRANSPORT SYSTEM: fair
Public transport is generally inefficient; it is therefore preferable to use reliable, officially recognised taxis. Domestic flights connect the capital with the island's main destinations.

Main airports: Antananarivo; Sambava; Sainte-Marie; Tulear; Fort Dauphin; Majunga; Tamatave; Antsiranana / Arrachart; Morondava; Nosy Be; Maroantsetra.
Ports: Antsiranana (Diego Suarez), Mahajanga, Toamasina, Toliara (Tulear)

ACCOMMODATION: fair
Hotels in the capital and along the main tourist circuits offer good variety and quality. In the rest of the country, however, accommodation is very scarce.

COUNTRY FACTS: Full name: Republic of Madagascar – Borders: an island nation in the Indian Ocean, off the east coast of Africa, opposite Mozambique. Time zone: 2 hours ahead of Italy, 1 hour ahead when daylight saving time is in force in Italy. – Area: 587,000 sq km – Capital: Antananarivo – Population: 19,449,000 – Religion: predominantly Catholic Christian; there is also a Muslim minority. Traditional religions and beliefs are still widespread. – Languages: French and Malagasy. French is widely spoken in the main cities, less so in rural areas. – Measures: metric system.

CURRENCY: Malagasy ariary (MGA). Currency formalities: if you are carrying foreign currency worth more than EUR 7,500, it is advisable to declare it so as to avoid any dispute when leaving the country. -Credit cards: ATMs are very rare, although some can be found in Antananarivo. Credit cards are accepted in some hotels and shops. Exchange: easy; bring euros.

ELECTRICITY: Voltage: 127/220 V and 50 Hz. – Sockets: bring an adaptor. We recommend always carrying a torch with spare batteries.

DOCUMENTS. A passport is required, valid for at least 6 months from the date of entry into the country. As this rule may change, we advise checking in advance with the country's Embassy or Consulate in Italy or with your travel agent.
Should your passport be lost or stolen, an emergency travel document (ETD) valid only for the return journey to Italy may be issued by the Consulate General of France in Antananarivo – Driving: Italian driving licence. An international driving permit is recommended. Car insurance: no foreign insurance is accepted. On entering the country, a temporary policy covering the length of your stay must be taken out with a local company.

COMMUNICATIONS AND TELEPHONES: Int. dialling code: 00261 – Telephones: the GSM 900 system is used in the country, but the areas covered by Madacon and Orange are very limited. – Web domain: .mg.

RULES, LAWS AND CONDUCT:
Legislation on drug use and/or dealing: local law provides severe penalties for offences such as the use and trafficking of narcotics, including soft drugs, ranging from 6 months to 2 years' imprisonment depending on the seriousness of the case.
Legislation on sexual abuse or violence against minors: local law provides very severe penalties, which vary according to the seriousness of the case: imprisonment of up to 5 years, rising to 20 years if the minor is under 14 (the offence of paedophilia). Please remember that anyone who commits offences against minors abroad (sexual abuse, exploitation, prostitution) will be prosecuted on their return to Italy under the laws in force in our country. Please also note that the Malagasy police have launched a determined crackdown on sex tourism, especially on the island of “Nosy Be”, one of the country's main tourist destinations. As a result, tourists seen in the company of young local women may be stopped for questioning. Should you have any problems with the local police (detention or arrest), we advise informing the Italian Embassy in Pretoria for the necessary assistance.

HEALTH SITUATION:
No vaccinations are compulsory. The health system includes a number of hospitals, but standards generally differ from those in Europe. Obtaining medicines is not usually a particular problem in Antananarivo.

PUBLIC HOLIDAYS: 1 January, New Year's Day; 8 March, Women's Day; 29 March, Martyrs' Day; March/April, Easter and Easter Monday; 1 May, Labour Day; May, Ascension; 4 June, Pentecost; 26 June, Independence Day; 15 August, Assumption; 14 October, First Republic Day; 1 November, All Saints' Day; 11 December, Fourth Republic Day; 25 December, Christmas Day.

OPENING HOURS: Post offices: Mon-Fri 8:00-12:00, 14:00-18:00, Sat 8:00-12:00 - Banks: Mon-Fri from 8:00 to 15:00. Shops: Mon-Fri 8:00-12:00, 14:00-18:00, Sat 8:00-12:00.

CLIMATE: the country has two seasons: a dry season from May to September and a hot, rainy season from October to April. In January and February the country may be hit by tropical storms. The climate of the capital, Antananarivo, is generally dry and healthy, although the city is exposed to cyclones.

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USEFUL ADDRESSES
There is no Italian Embassy in the country. The Italian Embassy in South Africa is responsible.
Under EU coordination arrangements, Italian citizens in need of assistance may contact the Honorary Consul of Italy in Antananarivo, Dr Michele Franchi (Tel. +261 (0) 202222554), or the French Embassy in the capital, Antananarivo (tel. +261 202635719/20/21/22; +261 202242617; +261 202630498). Italian nationals on the island of Nosy Be may contact the local Honorary Consul of Italy directly, Dr Claudio Siragusa (tel. 00261 322958732).
Should your passport be lost or stolen, an emergency travel document (ETD) valid only for the return journey to Italy may be issued by the Consulate General of France in Antananarivo; anyone needing to apply for one should first contact the Italian consular correspondent in Antananarivo or in Nosy Be for the application procedure.

Italian Embassy in Pretoria (South Africa)
796 George Avenue, Arcadia, 0083 Pretoria
Tel. +27 - (0)12 – 4230000
Fax +27 - (0)12 - 3425618
Emergency mobile +27 - (0)82 – 7815972
Consular section e-mail: consolato.pretoria@esteri.it; visti.pretoria@esteri.it
Website: www.ambpretoria.esteri.it

French Embassy in Antananarivo
Address: 3, rue Jean Jaurès, Ambatomena B.P. 204 ANTANANARIVO 101
Telephone: + 261-2022398 98, +261-202635719/20/21/22, +261-202242617
Fax: 00 261 2022399 2
E-mail: ambatana@netclub.mg

German Embassy in Antananarivo
Address: B.P. 516 Antananarivo 101 Madagascar Rue Pasteur Rabbonì
Telephone: +261 20 222 3802
Fax: +261 20 222 6627
E-mail: amballem@wanadoo.mg