According to petwithsupplies, Antananarivo, the capital of Madagascar, is the largest city and home to approximately 1.4 million people. It is located in the central highlands and is the political, economic and cultural hub for the country. Antananarivo has a vibrant culture with numerous markets, restaurants and nightlife. The city also hosts a number of historical sites such as the Queen’s Palace and Ambohimanga Hill, which are popular tourist attractions. The second largest city in Madagascar is Toamasina, located on the east coast. This coastal city has a population of roughly half a million people and is known as an important port in Madagascar due to its large natural harbor. Toamasina has a distinct French influence due to its colonial past and continues to be an important trading center for many goods including coffee, vanilla, sugar cane and cloves. The city also hosts numerous markets such as Marché des pêcheurs where visitors can find unique souvenirs as well as fresh seafood from local fishermen. The third largest city in Madagascar is Mahajanga (also known as Majunga), which has a population of around 250 thousand people. This coastal town is located on the northwest tip of Madagascar and serves an important role in trade with India due to its proximity to the Arabian Sea. Mahajanga also plays an important role in tourism with its white sandy beaches that attract visitors from all over the world each year. The nearby Tsaratanana Massif mountain range provides a stunning backdrop for this picturesque city that offers plenty of activities such as hiking, swimming or simply relaxing by one of its beautiful beaches. In 2008, Madagascar was a nation that was still struggling to find its footing after being ruled by an autocratic military regime for 17 years. The country had experienced political turmoil since the 2002 overthrow of President Didier Ratsiraka, leading to a period of instability and economic decline. In December 2006, Marc Ravalomanana was elected president in a landslide victory and he sought to restore democracy and revive the economy. The country’s geographic location has been a source of geopolitical tension due to its location off the eastern coast of Africa. Madagascar is situated in between two rival powers: India and South Africa. India has long held economic interests in the region due to its proximity to the Arabian Sea while South Africa has sought to expand its influence in the region as part of its regional foreign policy agenda. This geopolitical rivalry has created tension between both countries which has manifested itself in various forms such as trade disputes or military posturing. Madagascar’s relationship with France also played an important role in the country’s geopolitics during this period. France had maintained strong ties with Madagascar since it became an independent nation in 1960, providing significant financial aid and technical assistance throughout the years. In 2008, France was one of Madagascar’s largest trading partners and provided much needed support during this period of political unrest by offering diplomatic assistance as well as humanitarian aid. In addition, Madagascar also had close relations with other African countries such as Mozambique and Tanzania due to their shared history and culture as well as their common language, Malagasy. These countries offered both financial and diplomatic support during times of crisis which helped stabilize the nation during this challenging period in its history. Check payhelpcenter for Madagascar in 2008.