Muddling through in Madagascar
by Dervla Murphy
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Everything about Madagascar is surprising, as Dervla Murphy and her 14-year-old daughter, Rachel, found to their delight. Despite accidents, misadventures, contrasts and the political instability of the Great Red Island, they returned with a lasting respect for the kindness of its proud people.Tags
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Madagascar is truly a unique place going to seed rather rapidly. It is teetering on the edge of being labeled a failed state. First of all it's unique population priimarily of Malayo-Polynesian. Two of them the Merina and Betsielo form the elite and the most progressive. Post colonization by the French, the country has adopted a Christian Marxist form of Govt. and since then things have started going downhill rather rapidly.
Two immediate dangers face this country, one is runaway population growth and the next is rapid de-forestation due to slash and burn cultivation. It seems that the Malagasays have to be saved from themselves. The wealthiest strata apparently are not the natives but Chinese and Indian Immigrants who form the backbone show more of the trading and money lending community. Though the country abounds in tourist destinations (fast disappearing), it is not designed for tourists. The roads are horrible, food unpalatable and tourist facilities non-existent even in large towns. The railway system itself is barely functional. show less
Two immediate dangers face this country, one is runaway population growth and the next is rapid de-forestation due to slash and burn cultivation. It seems that the Malagasays have to be saved from themselves. The wealthiest strata apparently are not the natives but Chinese and Indian Immigrants who form the backbone show more of the trading and money lending community. Though the country abounds in tourist destinations (fast disappearing), it is not designed for tourists. The roads are horrible, food unpalatable and tourist facilities non-existent even in large towns. The railway system itself is barely functional. show less
Madagascar is truly a unique place going to seed rather rapidly. It is teetering on the edge of being labeled a failed state. First of all it's unique population priimarily of Malayo-Polynesian. Two of them the Merina and Betsielo form the elite and the most progressive. Post colonization by the French, the country has adopted a Christian Marxist form of Govt. and since then things have started going downhill rather rapidly.
Two immediate dangers face this country, one is runaway population growth and the next is rapid de-forestation due to slash and burn cultivation. It seems that the Malagasays have to be saved from themselves. The wealthiest strata apparently are not the natives but Chinese and Indian Immigrants who form the backbone show more of the trading and money lending community. Though the country abounds in tourist destinations (fast disappearing), it is not designed for tourists. The roads are horrible, food unpalatable and tourist facilities non-existent even in large towns. The railway system itself is barely functional. show less
Two immediate dangers face this country, one is runaway population growth and the next is rapid de-forestation due to slash and burn cultivation. It seems that the Malagasays have to be saved from themselves. The wealthiest strata apparently are not the natives but Chinese and Indian Immigrants who form the backbone show more of the trading and money lending community. Though the country abounds in tourist destinations (fast disappearing), it is not designed for tourists. The roads are horrible, food unpalatable and tourist facilities non-existent even in large towns. The railway system itself is barely functional. show less
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Adventure Travel & Exploration In Africa
13 works; 4 members
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Common Knowledge
- Important places
- Madagascar
Classifications
- Genres
- Travel, Nonfiction, General Nonfiction, Biography & Memoir
- DDC/MDS
- 916.91045 — History & geography Geography & travel Geography of and travel in Africa South Indian Ocean islands Madagascar
- LCC
- DT469 .M28 .M87 — History of Europe, Asia, Africa and Oceania Africa History of Africa Eastern Africa Islands (East African coast) Seychelles
- BISAC
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- Popularity
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- Reviews
- 2
- Rating
- (3.63)
- Languages
- English
- Media
- Paper, Ebook
- ISBNs
- 11
- ASINs
- 2
