Talk:Madagascar

Should we develop a template for the Commonwealth of Nations like we have for Louisianne, Castile and Leon, others? BoArthur 21:21, 8 Jun 2005 (PDT)

Funny you should ask... I was planning to do exactly that! But I haven't even started yet, so go ahead if you like! Cheers, IJzeren Jan

Official Name

If the official and usual language of madagascar is mandarin, you would expect the official name to be slightly different considering the nature of the language (Mha Dha Gaz Qar or somesuch name).

Also, what does the RM stand for on the flag?

--Marc Pasquin 10:59, 8 May 2007 (PDT)

"R. M." stands for "Ranavalona Manjaka", manjaka being "queen". This was taken from a mid-19th century Madagascratian flag, during the reign of the last Native monarch (*here*), Ranavalona III. *There*, the Native monarchy has reestablished itself after years of varying degrees of Chinese domination. It should be noted that the crowned monogram changes with the accession of a new monarch -- flag makers' hayday should the monogram change to something other than "R" next time around!

The official language may well be Mandarin (so your Sinification may not be out of order), that doesn't mean the country's name has to be in Mandarin. "Madagascar" is the (English) standard adopted upon entrance to the Commonwealth.

Elemtilas 14:35, 8 May 2007 (PDT)