Posts Tagged ‘delicious’
Íbero spanish school www.iberospanish.com- Special Program Jorge Luis Borges
Jorge Luis Borges is a famous Argentine writer and poet born in Buenos Aires in August of 1899. From a very early age, he fluently spoke both English and Spanish. In 1914, when his father´s eyesight failed, the family moved to Switzerland. In Switzerland, Borges learned French and German and graduated from the College of Geneva in 1918. After Borges graduated, the family moved around Spain living in Barcelona, Mallorca, Seville and Madrid. It was in Spain that Borges wrote and published his first poem, “Hymn to the Sea.”
When Borges returned to Argentina in 1921 with his family, his career as an author/poet officially began. Several of his poems and essays were published in a wide variety of literary journals. In the 1930´s, he began his existential work and continued contributing to weekly journals as well as writing short novels. It was during this time that Borges began working in the Buenos Aires Municipal Library, where he later was dismissed by the President Juan Perón for speaking out against the Peronistas. Shortly after leaving the library, Borges went completely blind.
In his later years, Borges worked as Director in the National Public Library and taught literature classes in the University of Buenos Aires. He continued reading and writing with the assistance of his mother. He received a National Prize for Literature from the University of Cuyo and numerous other literary honors for his work. He died of cancer in 1986 in Geneva, Switzerland.
Íbero Spanish School www.iberospanish.com offers a private spanish course studying the work and life of this fascinating author. The course is for 10 hours a week and includes multimedia activites, selective readings of Borges texts and analysis of the impact and influence his work has had in the world of literature. “The study of the greatest author of all time is essential to our curriculum” says Florencia Bozzano, Director at Íbero Spanish School.
The course also includes visits to places frequented by this famous Argentine writer as well as a museum dedicated to his life.
About the Author
IBERO Spanish School is currently located in downtown Buenos Aires with impressive facilities and an own Spanish language learning curriculum with 8 levels. The school is nationally and internationally accredited. Students have the option of preparing for international examinations, studying area-specific vocabulary and Spanish teachers abroad can attend special Íbero training courses (Option to sign up for the TEFL certification program).
i need to find courses in singapore that teaches Japanese drum?
Suggest you check with the Japanese Association (Japanese expatriates community) or Japan Embassy.
University Admissions and A level Retakes
“CDD meant a difficult decision- a Clearing place at a university that I didn’t really want to go to or retakes. I had an amazing expedition planned – a placement at a big cat sanctuary in Malaysia. I retook and it was such a brilliant experience. My confidence improved enormously – even my driving instructor noticed it!”
emily martyn, retake student 2010. joined RIC from tonbridge grammar, now at york university studying biology
Retake students from Rochester Independent College regularly secure places at elite universities. With the pressure on places likely to be less next September because of the tuition fees hike this might be the perfect year to consider retaking, not compromising in Clearing and aiming high. With the fees cap removed in 2012 students aiming for AAB at retake will have a good choice of top universities. The universities will be free to increase their numbers as long as students have these grades.
RIC’s retake courses run September-January, January- June or September-June depending on individual circumstances. This year Louisa Garcia, formerly of King’s Rochester was able to retake her English and History A levels and follow an AS History of Art course all between September and the end of January. Louisa can now return from her gap year travels to a place at her first choice, Birmingham University.
When deciding to retake it is worth considering that with a degree now far more of a common currency it has become even more important for students to ensure they aim to secure entry to good courses at respected institutions. A level results and UCAS points are increasingly used by major employers when they are recruiting graduates.
Head of Biology at RIC Dr Brenda Harrison says: “
“It’s refreshing to work with such dedicated students who retake in order to realise their ambitions. In small classes problems can be quickly diagnosed and tackled. Improvement is often rapid.”
Class sizes number around 6 to 8. Every student has individual attention. We encourage students to see their time at RIC as a university preparatory course. They often comment it was the most enjoyable and productive part of their secondary education. We don’t just want to help students gain places on their chosen courses, we want them to leave us with the study skills and academic foundation to enjoy and excel at university.
“I’m delighted to see the results of Judd students retaking at RIC and offer my congratulations to the five students who did so this year. We do recommend RIC to our students who are looking for further support and have the means to access it.”
robert masters, headmaster, the judd school , august 2010
Contrary to popular belief A level retake students, and those who have a disappointing year 12, do secure places on the most highly competitive courses, including Medicine, Veterinary Science, Law and Dentistry.
In 2010 RIC had four aspiring lawyers retaking their A levels. They won LLB places at Birmingham, Exeter, Lancaster and Newcastle. Judith Wickham, parent of Alistair Wickham from Maidstone said: “This is just to say a very big ‘thank you’ to all of my son’s tutors at Rochester Independent for your superb guidance, expert management of the retake application for Law, unfailing kindness, patience and brilliant teaching. You taught him to think properly, to write clearly and fulfilled every promise you made to us”
RIC students though often avoid a retake year altogether by switching schools for their year 13 following disappointing AS grades elsewhere. Matt Swain formerly of Maidstone Grammar School moved to maximise his chances of becoming a doctor. He says: “My previous school said I was a solid grade B student and wouldn’t make the A grades required for medicine. I was determined to realise my ambition to become a doctor.” Matt’s successful application to Hull and York Medical School was helped not only by a good portfolio of work experience but by taking an additional A level- Sociology- from scratch in a year.
In a similar situation was Roshni Patel from Gravesend Grammar who has just finished her second year of Medicine at St George’s. She says: “I crashed in my AS year so I took a deep breath and switched to RIC. I came from a single sex grammar school which was very different. The small classes at Rochester really helped and I got offers and my grades.” Her parents add: “We were extremely happy with Roshni’s results. This is our second daughter to attend Rochester Independent College after disappointing results. Our older daughter Sarina is in her final year of Dentistry at Queen Mary.”
Head of Science and long serving Chemistry tutor at RIC Hugh Laverty says: “The College has always been a centre of excellence for Science and it is exciting to work with dedicated sixth form students aiming to become doctors, dentists, vets, pharmacists, optometrists and audiologists.”
Just finishing his first year of Dentistry is Matthew Sarstedt. He had disappointing grades after two years of sixth form at his previous school but would not let these hold him back.
“On results day I knew I had to resit – I was absolutely determined to study dentistry rather than going through clearing for something else.”
First time round, Matthew was rejected from all the Dental schools without interview. Applying from RIC as a resit student- when it should have been harder to get in- he received offers, achieved his grades and started at Sheffield University in September 2010.
Retakers can also make it to Vet School. Callum Atkins, formerly of Simon Langton School, Canterbury was disappointed after receiving his A level results, missing his place. Callum enrolled on a one year retake programme and received an offer from the prestigious Royal Veterinary College. Callum’s A level grades when he arrived were CCC. When he left in 2008 they were AAA. Even this top institution then still considers retake students, as demonstrated by the second chance offer Amelia Liddell, formerly of King’s School, Canterbury received this year. As well as retaking Chemistry and Spanish at RIC Amelia took AS Sociology from scratch in a term and continued to broaden her work experience.
About the Author
Alistair Brownlow
Rochester Independent College
There are 365 Islands for Everyday of the Year
Just like France, one type of cheese for every day of the year, Angra has an island for every day of the year. Only one day every four years (leap year) lacks an Island. Well, nothing is perfect—but tries telling that to those who have visited Angra. It sure feels and looks like perfection.
Here the Beauty of nature begins with the color of the sea and the exuberant green of the Atlantic Forest. It is the perfect place for nautical sports, sub – aquatic fishing and long boat rides. Floating restaurants serving a varied menu of fish and seafood. In the golf course, guaranteeing leisure for lovers of those sports.
In addition to the 365 Islands, there is roughly one bench for every year in the A.D. Calendar. With just over 2000 beaches and 365 islands, you will never ever run out of new things to see. Believe it or not, Angra has a little piece of New York…well…they also have an island called “Long Island” (Ilha Grande). You have to see this one; it has history, lush wild greenery (Atlantic rainforest to be exact) beaches and more.
The history of Long Island and Angra as a whole began over 500 years ago with the Portuguese. They landed on Long Island on January 6, 1502, which was Kings’ Day. Because of this fact, the area has named Kings’ Creek, Which translates as “Angra dos Reis”. This little discovery by the Portuguese sparked a letter to Portugal by Amerigo Vespucio. He told how he had found a paradise with sweet smelling flowers and trees. He also spoke of the great numbers and varieties of bright colored birds. He refused to say too much more, because he feared they would not believe him. There are many houses that go almost as far as Amerigo’s time. One church goes back to the 1500’s and countless houses and churches date back to the 1600’s. It also has a famous Museum of Sacred arts; Angra has a lot of history!
Angra is located about 75 miles south of the city of Rio de Janeiro. The views are absolutely breathtaking with actual rainforests, crystal clear waters, sandy beaches, and more. Angra was immediately settled in the early 1500’s and has remained inhabited ever since, but much of the history was preserved. Angra was a popular port city and agricultural center. There are quite a number of island tours on schooners. You could spend a year in Angra and still not see all of it.
About the Author
Brazil Travel offers different packages for all kinds of Budget. If you want to discover more about Brazil vacations then it is a good idea to visit Brazil Travel.
. Brazil Travel offers different packages for all kinds of Budget. If you want to discover more about Brazil vacations then it is a good idea to visit Brazil Travel.
Help with a French project!?
Its pretty simple, for my exposé I have to pick any country that speaks French and talk about some interesting stuff about it. I want to do Switzerland, but pretty much me and 75% of the rest of the class is going to study abroad in Switzerland next year(the reason why they’re taking the course in the first place) so I want to do something different.
I want to do a country specifically in Europe. Maybe Luxembourg? Anyone know what to talk about if I will present Luxembourg or some other French-speaking European country?
EDIT.. maybe Monaco.. that seems interesting! Anyone know about Monaco?
Besides France in Euorope I’m not to good and what speaks French…I know there are others not in Europe you could easily do like Canada (Quebec), Even the US (Louisiana) but there is Monaco, Ivory Cost, Belgium, Congo,
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Madagascar
History
Main article: History of Madagascar
As part of East Gondwana, the territory of Madagascar split from Africa approximately 160 million years ago; the island of Madagascar was created when it separated from the Indian subcontinent 80 to 100 million years ago. Most archaeologists estimate that the human settlement of Madagascar happened between 200 and 500 A.D., when seafarers from southeast Asia (probably from Borneo or the southern Celebes) arrived in outrigger sailing canoes. Bantu settlers probably crossed the Mozambique Channel to Madagascar at about the same time or shortly afterwards. However, Malagasy tradition and ethnographic evidence suggests that they may have been preceded by the Mikea hunter gatherers. The Anteimoro who established a kingdom in Southern Madagascar in the Middle Ages trace their origin to migrants from Somalia.
The written history of Madagascar begins in the 7th century, when Muslims established trading posts along the northwest coast. During the Middle Ages, the island’s kings began to extend their power through trade with their Indian Ocean neighbours, notably Arab, Persian and Somali traders who connected Madagascar with East Africa, the Middle East and India.
Large chiefdoms began to dominate considerable areas of the island. Among these were the Sakalava chiefdoms of the Menabe, centred in what is now the town of Morondava, and of Boina, centred in what is now the provincial capital of Mahajanga (Majunga). The influence of the Sakalava extended across what are now the provinces of Antsiranana, Mahajanga and Toliara. Madagascar served as an important transoceanic trading port for the east African coast that gave Africa a trade route to the Silk Road, and served simultaneously as a port for incoming ships.
The wealth created in Madagascar through trade created a state system ruled by powerful regional monarchs known as the Maroserana. These monarchs adopted the cultural traditions of subjects in their territories and expanded their kingdoms. They took on divine status, and new nobility and artisan classes were created. Madagascar functioned in the East African Middle Ages as a contact port for the other Swahili seaport city-states such as Sofala, Kilwa, Mombasa and Zanzibar.
European contact began in the year 1500, when the Portuguese sea captain Diogo Dias sighted the island after his ship separated from a fleet going to India. The Portuguese continued trading with the islanders and named the island So Loureno (St. Lawrence). In 1666, Franois Caron, the Director General of the newly formed French East India Company, sailed to Madagascar. The Company failed to establish a colony on Madagascar but established ports on the nearby islands of Bourbon and Ile-de-France (today’s Runion and Mauritius). In the late 17th century, the French established trading posts along the east coast.
The most famous pirate utopia is that of Captain Misson and his pirate crew, who allegedly founded the free colony of Libertatia in northern Madagascar in the late 17th century. From about 1774 to 1824, Madagascar was a favourite haunt for pirates, including Americans, one of whom brought Malagasy rice to South Carolina. Many European sailors were shipwrecked on the coasts of the island, among them Robert Drury, whose journal is one of the few written depictions of life in southern Madagascar during the 18th century. Sailors sometimes called Madagascar “Island of the Moon”.
Andrianampoinimerina
(1795-1819)
Radama I
(1810-1828)
Ranavalona I
(1828-1861)
Radama II
(1861-1863)
Rasoherina
(1863-1868)
Ranavalona II
(1868-1883)
Ranavalona III
(1883-1897)
Beginning in the 1790s, Merina rulers succeeded in establishing hegemony over most of the island, including the coast. In 1817, the Merina ruler and the British governor of Mauritius concluded a treaty abolishing the slave trade, which had been important in Madagascar’s economy. In return, the island received British military and financial assistance. British influence remained strong for several decades, during which the Merina court was converted to Presbyterianism, Congregationalism and Anglicanism.
With the domination of the Indian Ocean by the Royal Navy and the end of the Arab slave trade, the western Sakalava lost their power to the emerging Merina state. The Betsimisaraka of the east coast also unified, but this union soon faltered.
Queen Ranavalona I “the Cruel” (r. 1828-61) issued a royal edict prohibiting the practice of Christianity in Madagascar. By some estimates, 150,000 Christians died during the reign of Ranavalona. The island grew more isolated, and commerce with other nations came to a standstill.
France invaded Madagascar in 1883, in what became known as the first Franco-Hova War seeking to restore property that had been confiscated from French citizens. (Hova is one of three Merina classes: andriana aristocracy, hova common people, andevo slaves. The term hova was wrongly used by the French to mean Merina.) At the war’s end, Madagascar ceded Antsiranana (Diego Suarez) on the northern coast to France and paid 560,000 francs to the heirs of Joseph-Franois Lambert. In 1890, the British accepted the full formal imposition of a French protectorate.
In 1895, a French flying column landed in Mahajanga (Majunga) and marched to the capital, Antananarivo, where the city’s defenders quickly surrendered. Twenty French soldiers died fighting and 6,000 died of malaria and other diseases before the second Franco-Hova War ended.
After the conclusion of hostilities, in 1896 France annexed Madagascar. The 103-year-old Merina monarchy ended with the royal family being sent into exile in Algeria.
During World War II, Malagasy troops fought in France, Morocco, and Syria. Some leaders in Nazi Germany proposed deporting all of Europe’s Jews to Madagascar (the Madagascar Plan), but nothing came of this. After France fell to Germany, the Vichy government administered Madagascar. During the Battle of Madagascar, British troops occupied the island in 1942 to preclude its seizure by the Japanese, after which the Free French took over.
In 1947, with French prestige at low ebb, the Malagasy Uprising broke out. It was suppressed after over a year of bitter fighting, with 8,000 to 90,000 people killed. The French later established reformed institutions in 1956 under the Loi Cadre (Overseas Reform Act), and Madagascar moved peacefully towards independence. The Malagasy Republic was proclaimed on October 14, 1958, as an autonomous state within the French Community. A period of provisional government ended with the adoption of a constitution in 1959 and full independence on June 26, 1960. In 2006 the country experienced an attempted coup.
Politics
Main articles: Government of Madagascar and Politics of Madagascar
Although the present head of State has self-proclaimed himself, Madagascar is usually a semi-presidential representative democratic republic, whereby the Prime Minister of Madagascar is head of government, and of a pluriform[disambiguation needed] multi-party system. Executive power is exercised by the government. Legislative power is vested in both the government and the Senate and the National Assembly. The Judiciary is independent of the executive and the legislature.
The political situation in Madagascar has been marked by struggle for control. After Madagascar gained independence from France in 1960, assassinations, military coups and disputed elections featured prominently.
Didier Ratsiraka took power in a military coup in 1975 and ruled until 2001, with a short break when he was ousted in the early 1990s. When Marc Ravalomanana and Ratsiraka both claimed victory after presidential elections in December 2001, Ratsiraka’s supporters tried to blockade the capital, Antananarivo, which was pro-Ravalomanana. After eight months of sporadic violence with considerable economic disruption, a recount in April 2002 led the High Constitutional Court to pronounce Ravalomanana president, but it was not until July that Ratsiraka fled to France and Ravalomanana gained control of the country.
Internal conflict in Madagascar had been minimal in the years that followed and since 2002, Ravalomanana and his party, Tiako-I-Madagasikara (TIM), have dominated political life. In an attempt to restrict the power and influence of the president, the prime minister and the 150-seat parliament have been given greater power in recent years.
Tension since was generally associated with elections. A presidential election took place in December 2006 with some protests over worsening standards of living, despite a government drive to eradicate poverty. Calls by a retired army general in November 2006 for Ravalomanana to step down were said to have been ‘misinterpreted’ as a coup attempt.
2009 Malagasy protests
Main article: 2009 Malagasy protests
The latest, and ongoing, spate of violence pitted then-President Marc Ravalomanana against Andry Rajoelina, former mayor of the capital, Antananarivo. Since the power tussle started on 26 January, more than 170 people were killed. Rajoelina mobilized his supporters to take to the streets of Antananarivo to demand Ravalomanana’s ousting on the grounds of his alleged “autocratic” style of government.
Ravalomanana’s resignation
After losing support of the military and under intense pressure from Rajoelina, President Ravalomanana resigned on 17 March 2009. Ravalomanana assigned his powers to a military council loyal to himself headed by Vice-Admiral Hyppolite Ramaroson. The military called the move by Ravalomanana a “ploy” and said that it would support Rajoelina as leader. Rajoelina had already declared himself the new leader a month earlier and has since assumed the role of acting President. He has appointed Monja Roindefo as Prime Minister. Rajoelina announced that elections would be held in two years and that the constitution would be amended.
The European Union, amongst other international entities, has refused to recognize the new government, due to it being installed by force. The African Union, which proceeded to suspend Madagascar’s membership on 20 March and the Southern Africa Development Community both criticized the forced resignation of Ravalomanana. United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon’s spokesperson said he is “gravely concerned about the evolving developments in Madagascar”.
Provinces and regions
Main articles: Provinces of Madagascar and Regions of Madagascar
Madagascar is currently divided into six autonomous provinces (faritany mizakatena), and subdivided into 22 regions (faritra), the latter created in 2004. The regions will be the highest subdivision level when the provinces are dissolved in accordance with the results of the 4 April 2007 referendum, which means by 4 October 2009.
Antananarivo (1)
Analamanga
Bongolava
Itasy
Vakinankaratra
Antsiranana (2)
Diana
Sava
Fianarantsoa (3)
Amoron’i Mania
Atsimo-Atsinanana
Haute-Matsiatra
Ihorombe
Vatovavy-Fitovinany
Mahajanga (4)
Betsiboka
Boeny
Melaky
Sofia
Toamasina (5)
Alaotra Mangoro
Analanjirofo
Atsinanana
Toliara (6)
Androy
Anosy
Atsimo-Andrefana
Menabe
The regions are further subdivided into 116 districts, 1,548 communes, and 16,969 fokontany. The major cities have a special status as “commune urbaine”, at the same level as the districts.
Geography
Main article: Geography of Madagascar
Isalo National Park
At 587,000 square kilometres (227,000 sq mi), Madagascar is the world’s 46th-largest country and the fourth largest island. It is slightly bigger than France, and is one of 11 distinct physiographic provinces of the South African Platform physiographic division.
Towards the east, a steep escarpment leads from the central highlands down into a ribbon of rain forest with a narrow coastal further east. The Canal des Pangalanes is a chain of natural and man-made lakes connected by canals that runs parallel to the east coast for some 460 km (286 mi) (about two-thirds of the island). The descent from the central highlands toward the west is more gradual, with remnants of deciduous forest and savanna-like plains (which in the south and southwest, are quite dry and host spiny desert and baobabs). On the west coast are many protected harbours, but silting is a major problem caused by sediment from the high levels of erosion inland.
Along the crest of this ridge lie the central highlands, a plateau region ranging in altitude from 2,450 to 4,400 ft (747 to 1,341 m) above sea level. The central highlands are characterised by terraced, rice-growing valleys lying between barren hills. Here, the red laterite soil that covers much of the island has been exposed by erosion, showing clearly why the country is often referred to as the “Red Island”.
The island’s highest peak, Maromokotro, at 2,876 metres (9,440 ft), is found in the Tsaratanana Massif, located in the far north of the country. The Ankaratra Massif is in the central area south of the capital Antananarivo and hosts the third highest mountain on the island, Tsiafajavona, with an altitude of 2,642 metres (8,670 ft). Further south is the Andringitra massif which has several peaks over 2,400 metres (7,900 ft) including the second and fourth highest peaks, Pic Imarivolanitra, more widely known as Pic Boby (2,658 metres/8,720 feet), and Pic Bory (2,630 metres/8,600 feet). Other peaks in the massif include Pic Soaindra (2,620 metres/8,600 feet) and Pic Ivangomena (2,556 metres/8,390 feet). This massif also contains the Andringitra Reserve. On very rare occasions, this region experiences snow in winter due to its high altitude.
There are two seasons: a hot, rainy season from November to April, and a cooler, dry season from May to October. South-eastern trade winds predominate, and the island occasionally experiences cyclones.
Ecology
Main articles: Fauna of Madagascar, Ecoregions of Madagascar, and Agroecology in Madagascar
Tsingy in Madagascar
Madagascar’s long isolation from the neighboring continents has resulted in a unique mix of plants and animals, many found nowhere else in the world; some ecologists refer to Madagascar as the “eighth continent”. Of the 10,000 plants native to Madagascar, 90% are found nowhere else in the world. Madagascar’s varied fauna and flora are endangered by human activity, as a third of its native vegetation has disappeared since the 1970s, and only 18% remains intact. Since the arrival of humans 2000 years ago, Madagascar has lost more than 90% of its original forest. The elephant birds, which were giant ratites native to Madagascar, have been extinct since at least the 17th century. Aepyornis was the world’s largest bird, believed to have been over 3 metres (10 ft) tall.
Most lemurs are listed as endangered or threatened species. Many species have gone extinct in the last centuries, mainly due to habitat destruction and hunting.
The eastern, or windward side of the island is home to tropical rainforests, while the western and southern sides, which lie in the rain shadow of the central highlands, are home to tropical dry forests, thorn forests, and deserts and xeric shrublands. Madagascar’s dry deciduous rain forest has been preserved generally better than the eastern rainforests or the high central plateau, presumably due to historically low population densities. Madagascar has several national parks.
The Indri is 1 of 99 recognized species and subspecies of lemur found only in Madagascar.
Extensive deforestation has taken place in parts of the country, some due to mining operations. Slash-and-burn activity, locally called tavy, has occurred in the eastern and western dry forests as well as on the central high plateau, reducing certain forest habitat and applying pressure to some endangered species. Slash-and-burn is a method sometimes used by shifting cultivators to create short-term yields from marginal soils. When practiced repeatedly without intervening fallow periods, the nutrient-poor soils may be exhausted or eroded to an unproductive state. The resulting increased surface runoff from burned lands has caused significant erosion and resulting high sedimentation to western rivers.
As a part of conservation efforts, the Wildlife Conservation Society has recently opened a Madagascar! exhibit at the Bronx Zoo. The New York Academy of Sciences recently published a Podcast about the Madagascar! exhibit, which details the fauna and flora of Madagascar and what types of projects the WCS is involved with in the country. The Podcast can be listened to here
Madagascar is represented in the FIPS 10-4 geographical encoding standard by the symbol MA.
Economy
Main article: Economy of Madagascar
Antananarivo is the political and economic capital of Madagascar
Agriculture, including fishing and forestry, is a mainstay of the economy. Major exports are coffee, vanilla (Madagascar is the world’s largest producer and exporter of vanilla), sugarcane, cloves, cocoa, rice, cassava (tapioca), beans, bananas, peanuts and livestock products. Vanilla has historically been of particular importance, and when in 1985 Coca-cola switched to New Coke which involved less vanilla, Madagascar’s economy took a marked downturn, but returned to previous levels after the return of Coke Classic.
Structural reforms began in the late 1980s, initially under pressure from international financial institutions, notably the World Bank. An initial privatization program (19881993) and the development of an export processing zone (EPZ) regime in the early 1990s were key milestones in this effort. A period of significant stagnation from 1991 to 1996 was followed by five years of solid economic growth and accelerating foreign investment, driven by a second wave of privatizations[citation needed] and EPZ development. Although structural reforms advanced, governance remained weak and perceived corruption in Madagascar was extremely high. During the period of solid growth from 1997 to 2001, poverty levels remained stubbornly high, especially in rural areas. A six-month political crisis triggered by a dispute over the outcome of the presidential elections held in December 2001 virtually halted economic activity in much of the country in the first half of 2002. Real GDP dropped 12.7% for the year 2002, inflows of foreign investment dropped sharply, and the crisis tarnished Madagascar’s budding reputation as an AGOA standout and a promising place to invest. After the crisis, the economy rebounded with GDP growth of over 10% in 2003. Currency depreciation and rising inflation in 2004 have hampered economic performance, but growth for the year reached 5.3%, with inflation reaching around 25% at the end of the year. In 2005 inflation was brought under control by tight monetary policy of raising the Taux Directeur (central bank rate) to 16% and tightening reserve requirements for banks. Thus growth was expected to reach around 6.5% in 2005.
Following the 2002 political crisis, the government attempted to set a new course and build confidence, in coordination with international financial institutions and donors. Madagascar developed a recovery plan in collaboration with the private sector and donors and presented it at a “Friends of Madagascar” conference organized by the World Bank in Paris in July 2002. Donor countries demonstrated their confidence in the new government by pledging $1 billion in assistance over five years. The Malagasy Government identified road infrastructure as its principle priority and underlined its commitment to public-private partnership by establishing a joint public-private sector steering committee.
Rice paddies in Madagascar
In 2000, Madagascar embarked on the preparation of a Poverty Reduction Strategy Paper (PRSP) under the Heavily Indebted Poor Countries (HIPC) Initiative. The boards of the IMF and World Bank agreed in December 2000 that the country had reached the decision point for debt relief under the HIPC Initiative and defined a set of conditions for Madagascar to reach the completion point. In October 2004, the boards of the IMF and the World Bank determined that Madagascar had reached the completion point under the enhanced HIPC Initiative.
The Madagascar-U.S. Business Council was formed as a collaboration between the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and Malagasian artisan producers in Madagascar in 2002. The U.S.-Madagascar Business Council was formed in the United States in May 2003, and the two organisations continue to explore ways to work for the benefit of both groups.
The government of President Ravalomanana is aggressively seeking foreign investment and is tackling many of the obstacles to such investment, including combating corruption, reforming land-ownership laws, encouraging study of American and European business techniques, and active pursuit of foreign investors. President Ravalomanana rose to prominence through his agro-foods TIKO company, and is known for attempting to apply many of the lessons learned in the world of business to running the government. Some recent concerns have arisen about the conflict of interest between his policies and the activities of his firms. Most notable among them the preferential treatment for rice imports initiated by the government in late 2004 when responding to a production shortfall in the country.
Madagascar’s sources of growth are tourism; textile and light manufacturing exports (notably through the EPZs); agricultural products; and mining. Madagascar is the world’s leading producer of vanilla and accounts for about half the world’s export market. Tourism targets the niche eco-tourism market, capitalizing on Madagascar’s unique biodiversity, unspoiled natural habitats, national parks and lemur species. Exports from the EPZs, located around Antananarivo and Antsirabe, comprise the majority of garment manufacture, targeting the US market under AGOA and the European markets under the Everything But Arms (EBA) agreement. Agricultural exports consist of low-volume high-value products like vanilla, litchies and essential oils. A small but growing part of the economy is based on mining of ilmenite, with investments emerging in recent years, particularly near Tulear and Fort Dauphin. Mining corporation Rio Tinto Group expects to begin operations near Fort Dauphin in 2008, following several years of infrastructure preparation. The mining project is highly controversial, with Friends of the Earth and other environmental organizations filing reports to detail their concerns about effects on the local environment and communities.
Autoclave enters Madagascar, 2008, as part of new mining operation
Several major projects are underway in the mining and oil and gas sectors that, if successful, will give a significant boost to the Malagasy economy.
In the mining sector, these include the development of coal at Sakoa and nickel near Tamatave. In oil, Madagascar Oil is developing the massive onshore heavy oil field at Tsimiroro and ultra heavy oil field at Bemolanga.
Foreign relations
Main article: Foreign relations of Madagascar
Madagascar was historically perceived as being on the margin of mainstream African affairs despite being a founding member of the Organisation of African Unity (OAU), which was founded in 1963. President Albert Zafy, taking office in 1993, expressed his desire for diplomatic relations with all countries. Early in his tenure, he established formal ties with South Korea and sent emissaries to Morocco.
Starting in 1997, globalisation encouraged the government and President Ratsiraka to adhere to market-oriented policies and to engage world markets. External relations reflect this trend, although Madagascar’s physical isolation and strong traditional insular orientation have limited its activity in regional economic organizations and relations with its East African neighbours. It enjoys closer and generally good relations with its Indian Ocean neighbours Mauritius, Runion and Comoros. Active relationships with Europe, especially France, Germany, and Switzerland, as well as with Britain, Russia, Japan, India and China have been strong since independence. More recently, President Ravalomanana has cultivated strong links with the United States, and Madagascar was the first country to benefit from the Millennium Challenge Account (MCA). Madagascar is also a member of the International Criminal Court with a Bilateral Immunity Agreement of protection for the US-military (as covered under Article 98).
The OAU dissolved in 2002 and was replaced by the African Union. Madagascar was not permitted to attend the first African Union summit due to the dispute over the results of the election in December 2001, but rejoined the African Union in July 2003 after a 14-month hiatus triggered by the 2002 political crisis. However, Madagascar was suspended again by the African Union in March 2009 due to the ongoing political crisis.
During his presidency, Marc Ravalomanana traveled widely promoting Madagascar abroad and consciously sought to strengthen relations with Anglophone countries as a means of balancing traditionally strong French influence. He also cultivated strong ties with China during his tenure.
In November 2004, after an absence of almost 30 years, Madagascar re-opened its embassy in London. On 15 December 2004 the Foreign Secretary, Jack Straw, announced the closure of the British embassy in Antananarivo to save 250,000 a year. He also announced an end to the government’s aid to Madagascar, the DFID-funded Small Grants Scheme. The embassy closed in August 2005 despite petitions and protests from African heads of state, a European commissioner, the Malagasy Senate, many British companies, 30 or so NGOs operating in Madagascar, and members of the public.[citation needed]
The British Embassy was previously closed (also for financial reasons) from 1975 to 1980. The Anglo-Malagasy Society are campaigning to have it re-opened.
Demographics
Main article: Demographics of Madagascar
Antananarivo, Madagascar
Madagascar’s population is predominantly of mixed Austronesian (i.e.South-East Asian/Pacific Islander) and African origin. Those who are visibly Austronesian in appearance and culture are the minority, found mostly in the highland regions. Recent research suggests that the island was uninhabited until Austronesian seafarers arrived about 1,500 to 2,000 years ago. Recent DNA research shows that the Malagasy people are approximately of half Austronesian and half East African descent, although some Arab, Indian and European influence is present along the coast. Malagasy language shares some 90% of its basic vocabulary with the Ma’anyan language from the region of the Barito River in southern Borneo.
Subsequent migrations from the East Indies and Africa consolidated this original mixture, and 36 separate tribal groups emerged. Austronesian features are most predominant in the Merina (3 million) ; the coastal people (called ctiers) are of more clearly African origin. The largest coastal groups are the Betsimisaraka (1.5 million) and the Tsimihety and Sakalava (700,000 each). The Vezo live in the southwest. Two of the southern tribes are the Antandroy and the Antanosy. Other tribes include Tankarana (northern tip), Sihanaka and Bezanozano (east), Tanala (south-east), An-Taimoro, Tambahoaka, Zafisoro, An-Taisaka and Timanambondro (south-east coast), and Mahafaly and Bara (south-west). Chinese and Indian minorities also exist, as well as Europeans, mostly French. The number of Comorans residing in Madagascar was drastically reduced after anti-Comoran rioting in Mahajanga in 1976.
During the French colonial administration (18951960) and some time after independence, people were officially classified in ethnic groups. This practice was abandoned in the first census (1975) after independence, so any recent classification and figures for ethnic groups is an unofficial estimate. There is for instance no mention of ethnicity or religion in the national identity cards. Also, territorial divisions (provinces, regions) do not follow any ethnic division lines, despite an attempt by the colonial administration in the early 20th century. Ethnic divisions continue, and may cause violence, but their role is limited in today’s society. Ethnic tensions in Madagascar often produce violent conflict between the Merina highlanders and coastal peoples. Regional political parties are also rare, although some parties receive most of their support in certain areas.
Only two general censuses, 1975 and 1993, have been carried out after independence.
In 1993 (last census) there were 18,497 foreign residents on Madagascar, or 0.15% of the population.
Health
The fertility rate is at about 5 children per woman. There are about 29 physicians per 100,000 persons. Infant mortality was at 74 per 1,000 live births in 2005. Life expectancy at birth was at 58.4 in the early 21st century. Expenditure on health was 29 US$ (PPP) in 2004.
Language
Main article: Languages of Madagascar
The Malagasy language is of Malayo-Polynesian origin and is generally spoken throughout the island. Madagascar is a francophone country, and French is spoken among the educated population of this former French colony. English, although still rare, is becoming more widely spoken, and in 2003, the government began a pilot project of introducing the teaching of English into the primary grades of 44 schools, with hopes of taking the project nationwide. Many Peace Corps volunteers are serving to further this effort and train teachers.
In the first Constitution of 1958, Malagasy and French were named the official languages of the Malagasy Republic.
No official languages were recorded in the Constitution of 1992. Instead, Malagasy was named the national language; however, many sources still claimed that Malagasy and French were official languages, as they were de facto. In April 2000, a citizen brought a legal case on the grounds that the publication of official documents in the french language only was unconstitutional. The High Constitutional Court observed in its decision that, in the absence of a language law, French still had the character of an official language.
In the Constitution of 2007, Malagasy remains the national language while official languages are reintroduced: Malagasy, French, and English. The motivation for the inclusion of English is partly to improve relations with the neighbouring countries where English is used and to encourage foreign direct investment.
Culture
Main article: Culture of Madagascar
Malagasy culture reflects a blend of Southeast Asian, Arab, African and European influences. Houses in Madagascar are typically four-sided with a peaked roof, in a style commonly seen in Southeast Asia, rather than the circular style of hut construction more commonly found in Eastern Africa. Rice forms the basis of every meal in most parts of the country as in Asia. The dishes prepared to accompany the rice vary depending on local availability of food products and are known as laoka.
Arab influence
Arab immigrants were few in number compared to the Indonesians and Bantus, but they left a lasting impression. The Malagasy names for seasons, months, days, and coins are Arabic in origin, as is the practice of circumcision, the communal grain pool, and different forms of salutation. The Arab magicians, known as the ombiasy, established themselves in the courts of many Malagasy tribal kingdoms. Arab immigrants imposed the patriarchal system of family and clan rule on Madagascar. Previous to the Arabs, the Malagasies practiced the Polynesian matriarchal system whereby rights of privilege and property are conferred equally on men and women.
Education
A significant proportion of the adult population are illiterate. The female youth literacy rate is below the male youth literacy rate. Public expenditure on education was at 16.4 % of total government expenditure in the 2000-2007 period. Public current expenditure on primary education per pupil is at about US$ 57 (PPP). Madagascar has several universities.
Cuisine
Main article: Cuisine of Madagascar
Music
Main article: Music of Madagascar
Madagascar has a distinctive and rich musical heritage. The early Austronesian settlers brought with them the predecessor to the bamboo tube zither known as the valiha as well as other instruments that would form the basis for traditional Malagasy music. The influence of Africans is evident in certain drumming and polyharmonic singing styles, while the tendency toward minor chords along the coasts reflects an Arab musical influence. European pirates likewise contributed to Malagasy musical traditions, importing the guitar, accordion, piano and the instruments used in hiragasy performance including the violin, trumpet and clarinet.
Mythology
Main article: Malagasy mythology
The country has a rich oratory tradition in the form of hainteny, kabary and ohabolana. An epic poem, the Ibonia, has been handed down over the centuries in several different forms across the island and showcases the lively and highly developed oral traditions of Madagascar.
Hainteny
Main article: hainteny
The zebu, or humped cattle, occupies an important place in traditional Malagasy culture. The animal can take on sacred importance and constitutes the wealth of the owner, a tradition originating on the African mainland. Cattle rustling, originally a rite of passage for young men in the plains areas of Madagascar where the largest herds of cattle are kept, has become a dangerous and sometimes deadly criminal enterprise as herdsmen in the Southwest attempt to defend their cattle with traditional spears against increasingly armed professional rustlers. Where African influences are strongest, as in the Southern region around Tulear, wealth and social status are measured in cattle, and the zebu can outnumber the inhabitants by two or three to one. Zebu are a popular motif on aloalo, the carved wooden poles that decorate tombs among some tribes in the southwestern part of the country.
Andrianampoinimerina (circa 17451810) united the Merina kingdom, moving his capital from Ambohimanga to Antananarivo and building his royal palace, or rova, on a strategic location on the highest hilltop overlooking the city. A number of cultural traditions, including the kabary and the hiragasy, were popularized during the period of his administration.
Religion
Main article: Religion in Madagascar
Traditional religion
Main article: Malagasy mythology
Approximately 50% of the country’s population practice traditional religion, which tends to emphasize links between the living and the dead. The Merina in the highlands particularly tend to hold tightly to this practice. They believe that the dead join their ancestors in the ranks of divinity and that ancestors are intensely concerned with the fate of their living descendants. The Merina and Betsileo reburial practice of famadihana, or “turning over the dead”, celebrates this spiritual communion. In this ritual, relatives’ remains are removed from the family tomb, rewrapped in new silk shrouds, and returned to the tomb following festive ceremonies in their honor where sometimes the bodies are lifted and carried high above the celebrants heads with singing and dancing before returning them to the tomb.
Traditionally, the Malagasy hold their ancestors in high esteem and many believe they continue to intervene in events on Earth after their death. A powerful individual may establish a fady (taboo) in his or her lifetime that all their descendents or those of community members will be required to respect well after their death, meaning that when traveling in Madagascar it is advisable to seek out village elders or authorities and inquire into local fady in order not to inadvertently transgress and offend the local population. This veneration of ancestors has also lead to the tradition of tomb building and the famadihana, a practice whereby a deceased family member’s remains may be taken from the tomb to be periodically re-wrapped in fresh silk shrouds before being replaced in the tomb. The event is an occasion to celebrate the loved one’s memory, reunite with family and community, and enjoy a festive atmosphere. Residents of surrounding villages are often invited to attend the party, where food and rum are often served and a hiragasy troupe or other musical entertainment is typically present.
Christianity
Main article: Roman Catholicism in Madagascar
See also: Ranavalona I#Christian persecution
Roman Catholic cathedral in Antsirabe.
Today about 45% of the Malagasy are Christian, divided almost evenly between Catholics and Protestants. Many incorporate the cult of the dead with their other religious beliefs and bless their dead at church before proceeding with the traditional burial rites. They also may invite a Christian minister to attend a famadihana. Many of the Christian churches are influential in politics. The best example of this is the Malagasy Council of Churches (FFKM) comprising the four oldest and most prominent Christian denominations(Roman Catholic, Church of Jesus Christ in Madagascar, Lutheran, and Anglican). In the 19th century under Queen Ranavalona I, there was infamous persecution and mass extermination of Christians.
Islam
Main article: Islam in Madagascar
Islam in Madagascar constitutes about 7% of the population. The Arab and Somali Muslim traders who first brought Islam in the Middle Ages had a deep influence on the west coast. For example, many Malagasy converted to Islam and the Malagasy language was, for the first time, transcribed into an alphabet, based on the Arabic alphabet, called Sorabe. Muslims are concentrated in the provinces of Mahajanga and Antsiranana (Diego Suarez). Muslims are divided between those of Malagasy ethnicity, Indians, Pakistanis and Comorians.
Hinduism
Main article: Hinduism in Madagascar
Hinduism in Madagascar began with Gujarati from the Saurashtra region of India as far back as 1900, when Madagascar was a French colony. Most Hindus in Madagascar speak Gujarati or Hindi.
International rankings
Organization
Survey
Ranking
Institute for Economics and Peace
Global Peace Index
72 out of 144
United Nations Development Programme
Human Development Index
145 out of 182
Transparency International
Corruption Perceptions Index
99 out of 180
World Economic Forum
Global Competitiveness Report
121 out of 133
See also
Main articles: Outline of Madagascar and Index of Madagascar-related articles
Military of Madagascar
Transport in Madagascar
Communications in Madagascar
Malagasy diplomatic missions
Firaisan’ny Skotisma eto Madagasikara
References
^ “Malagasy” is the correct form in English; Embassy of Madagascar, Washington D.C. “Madagascan” is used only for the island, not its people National Geographic Style Manual
^ Central Intelligence Agency (2009). “Madagascar”. The World Factbook. https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/ma.html. Retrieved January 9, 2010.
^ a b c d “Madagascar”. International Monetary Fund. http://www.imf.org/external/pubs/ft/weo/2009/02/weodata/weorept.aspx?sy=2006&ey=2009&scsm=1&ssd=1&sort=country&ds=.&br=1&c=674&s=NGDPD,NGDPDPC,PPPGDP,PPPPC,LP&grp=0&a=&pr.x=54&pr.y=18. Retrieved 2009-10-01.
^ Human Development Indices, Table 3: Human and income poverty, p. 35. Retrieved on 1 June 2009
^ BBC NEWS | Science/Nature | Giant palm tree puzzles botanists
^ Malagasy languages, Encyclopdia Britannica
^ Migration from Kalimantan to Madagascar by O. C. Dahl
^ Archaeology, Language, and the African Past by Roger Blench
^ The African diaspora in the Indian Ocean By Shihan de S. Jayasuriya, Richard Pankhurst pg 82
^ “Background Note: Madagascar”. U.S. Department of State. http://www.state.gov/r/pa/ei/bgn/5460.htm. Retrieved 2008-08-12.
^ Cities of the Middle East and North Africa By Michael Dumper, Bruce E. Stanley, Janet L. Abu-Lughod pg 391
^ Kingdoms of Madagascar: Maroserana and Merina
^ ”Madagascar”. Catholic Encyclopedia. New York: Robert Appleton Company. 1913. http://en.wikisource.org/wiki/Catholic_Encyclopedia_(1913)/Madagascar.
^ Vincent, Rose (1990). The French in India: From Diamond Traders to Sanskrit Scholars. Popular Prakashan. ISBN 0-8613-2259-2.
^ From MADAGASCAR to the MALAGASY REPUBLIC, by Raymond K. Kent pg 6571
^ Madagascar: An Historical and Descriptive Account of the Island and Its Former Dependencies by Samuel Pasfield Oliver., p. 6. (excerpted in Google Book Search)
^ Ranavalona I (Merina queen). Britannica Online Encyclopedia.
^ Keith Laidler. Female Caligula. Ranavalona, the Mad Queen of Madagascar. Wiley (2005) ISNB -13 978-0-470-02223-8 (HB).
^ (French) 1947 L’insurrection Madagascar – Jean Fremigacci – Marianne[dead link]
^ a b IRIN Africa | Southern Africa | Madagascar | MADAGASCAR: ‘Violence could escalate’ | Governance Conflict | News Item
^ IRIN Africa | Southern Africa | Madagascar | MADAGASCAR: Former president sentenced to five years in prison | Governance | News Item
^ IRIN Africa | Southern Africa | Madagascar | MADAGASCAR: Hoping for fair, transparent, uncontroversial elections | Economy Governance Other | Feature
^ IRIN Africa | Southern Africa | Madagascar | MADAGASCAR: Appeal launched despite political uncertainty | Children Economy Food Security Governance Health & Nutrition Conflict …
^ a b Corbett, Christina; McGreal, Chris (18 March 2009). “Madagascar’s president resigns as rival claims power”. The Guardian. http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2009/mar/18/madagascar-marc-ravalomanana.
^ a b c “Military backs Madagascar rival”. BBC News. 17 March 2009. http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/7949596.stm.
^ “Madagascan opposition takes over prime minister’s office”. Xinhua. 14 March 2009. http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2009-03/14/content_11011120.htm.
^ “Madagascar President Resigns”. Voice of America. http://www.voanews.com/english/2009-03-16-voa65.cfm. Retrieved 2009-03-17.
^ African Union suspends Madagascar over ‘coup’ – Africa, World – The Independent
^ (UPDATE) Army puts Madagascar opposition leader in charge | Home >> Other Sections >> Breaking News
^ The Eighth Continent: Life, Death, and Discovery in the Lost World of Madagascar
^ a b “Science News: New Genus of Self-destructive Palm found in Madagascar”. Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. http://www.kew.org/scihort/news/new_palm_genus.html. Retrieved 2008-01-30.
^ Terrestrial Ecoregions — Madagascar subhumid forests (AT0118), National Geographic.
^ Davies, S. J. J. F. (2003)
^ Lemurs Hunted, Eaten Amid Civil Unrest, Group Says. National Geographic News. August 21, 2009.
^ Science & the City | Public Gateway to the New York Academy of Sciences
^ “Independent States in the World”. United States Department of State. 2008-03-20. http://www.state.gov/s/inr/rls/4250.htm. Retrieved 2008-05-24.
^ Madagascar – Country Facts- Goway Travel Experiences
^ “Made in Madagascar: Exporting Handicrafts to the U.S. Market: a Project with the UN Public-Private Alliance for Rural Development; Final Report”, A Project with the UN Public-Private Alliance for Rural Development.
^ Madagascar – Mining: Heavy Minerals Mining
^ Rio Tinto’s Madagascar mining project
^ “Africa rejects Madagascar ‘coup’” bbc.co.uk 20 March 2009 Link accessed 20 March 2009
^ U.S. Library of Congress,”Madagascar – Minorities”
^ L’ethnicisation des rapports sociaux Madagascar
^ “Ethnic strife rocks Madagascar”. BBC News. May 14, 2002.
^ a b c d e f g http://hdrstats.undp.org/en/countries/data_sheets/cty_ds_MDG.html
^ “Le malgache et le franais sont les langues officielles de la Rpublique Malgache.” Constitution, Titre I, Art. 2; Constitutional Law 14 October 1958.
^ Haute Cour Constitutionnelle De Madagascar, Dcision n03-HCC/D2 Du 12 avril 2000
^ Madagascar adopts English as official language, ClickAfrique.com, 10 April 2007.
^ a b http://www.unicef.org/infobycountry/madagascar_statistics.html
^ Madagascar and Africa III. The Anteimoro: A Theocracy in Southeastern Madagascar, by R. K. Kent The Journal of African History 1969 pg 62
^ “Vision of Humanity”. Vision of Humanity. http://www.visionofhumanity.org/gpi/home.php. Retrieved 2010-02-04.
External links
Find more about Madagascar on Wikipedia’s sister projects:
Definitions from Wiktionary
Textbooks from Wikibooks
Quotations from Wikiquote
Source texts from Wikisource
Images and media from Commons
News stories from Wikinews
Learning resources from Wikiversity
Government
The Madagascar Government
National Assembly of Madagascar
Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Madagascar
Embassies and Consulates
Canada Hungary Washington DC
Chief of State and Cabinet Members, from CIA
General information
Country Profile from BBC News
Madagascar entry at The World Factbook
Madagascar from UCB Libraries GovPubs
Madagascar at the Open Directory Project
Wikimedia Atlas of Madagascar
Madagascar travel guide from Wikitravel
News media
Madagascar Humanitarian news and analysis from IRIN United Nations
Madagascar news headline links from allAfrica.com
Ecology
Madagascar’s National Parks and Reserves official park website
Conservation International Madagascar overview pages
Madagascar Wildlife Conservation MWC is a Malagasy non-profit association, which organises and pursues community-based conservations projects
New York Academy of Sciences Conserving Madagascar Podcast by Helen Crowley
Madagascar conservation story
Journal Madagascar Conservation & Development
Miscellaneous
The Madagascar Project, Project set up to help Malagasy communities tackle the causes and effects of poverty
Old maps of Madagascar by CEGET library (CNRS, France)
Azafady UK charity and Malagasy NGO working in southeast Madagascar to alleviate poverty, improve well-being and protect beautiful unique environments with the help of its award winning volunteering programmes.
Shama Foundation of Madagascar charitable organization providing scholarships for underprivileged students in Madagascar
Opinions of La Haute Cour Constitutionelle du Madagascar
Blue Ventures award winning not-for-profit organisation dedicated to facilitating projects and expeditions that enhance global marine conservation and research. Based in Andavadoaka, South West coast of Madagascar.
Foko-madagascar not-for-profit organization and Rising Voices grantee project dedicated to the use of ICT as a tool to promote sustainable development, especially combining human development and the protection of the environment.
WildMadagascar.org Overview, news, photos, cultural history. English and French
Madagascar Photos Madagascar
The Palmarium reserve, is situated on the East coast of Madagascar.
Keelonga, keelonga is an organisation dedicated to assisting rural primary schools with infrastructures and teachers
Articles Related to Madagascar
Geographic locale
Lat. and Long. 1855 4731 / 18.917S 47.517E / -18.917; 47.517 (Antananarivo)
v d e
Countries and territories of Africa
West Africa
Benin Burkina Faso Cape Verde Cte d’Ivoire The Gambia Ghana Guinea Guinea-Bissau Liberia Mali Mauritania Niger Nigeria Senegal Sierra Leone Togo
North Africa
Algeria Egypt Libya Mauritania Morocco Sudan Tunisia
Central Africa
Angola Burundi Cameroon Central African Republic Chad Democratic Republic of the Congo Republic of the Congo Equatorial Guinea Gabon Rwanda So Tom and Prncipe
East Africa
Burundi Comoros Djibouti Eritrea Ethiopia Kenya Madagascar Malawi Mauritius Mozambique Seychelles Somalia Tanzania Uganda Zambia Zimbabwe
Southern Africa
Botswana Lesotho Namibia South Africa Swaziland
States with
limited recognition
Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic Somaliland
Partially in Africa
France (Runion) Italy (Pantelleria) Portugal (Madeira) Spain (Canary Islands / Ceuta / Melilla / Plazas de soberana) Yemen (Socotra)
Dependencies
Iles Eparses (France) Mayotte (France) Saint Helena, Ascension and Tristan da Cunha (United Kingdom)
Disputed areas
Western Sahara
v d e
Countries and territories bordering the Indian Ocean
Africa
Comoros Djibouti Egypt Eritrea Kenya Madagascar Mauritius Mayotte Mozambique Runion Seychelles Somalia South Africa Sudan Tanzania
Asia
Bahrain Bangladesh Burma Christmas Island Cocos (Keeling) Islands India Indonesia Iran Iraq Israel Jordan Kuwait Malaysia Maldives Oman Pakistan Qatar Saudi Arabia Sri Lanka Thailand United Arab Emirates Yemen
Oceania
Australia Christmas Island Cocos (Keeling) Islands
Islands
Bahrain British Indian Ocean Territory Christmas Island Cocos (Keeling) Islands Comoros Madagascar Maldives Mauritius Mayotte Runion Seychelles Sri Lanka
International membership
v d e
Southern African Development Community (SADC)
Member states
Angola Botswana Democratic Republic of the Congo Lesotho Madagascar Malawi Mauritius Mozambique Namibia South Africa Swaziland Tanzania Zambia Zimbabwe
Leaders
Chairpersons: Levy Mwanawasa Kgalema Motlanthe
Secretaries-General: Kaire Mbuende Prega Ramsamy Tomaz Salomo
See also
Southern African Development Coordination Conference Southern African Customs Union Common Monetary Area Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa
v d e
African Union (AU)
Algeria Angola Benin Botswana Burkina Faso Burundi Cameroon Cape Verde Central African Republic Chad Comoros Democratic Republic of the Congo Republic of the Congo Cte d’Ivoire Djibouti Egypt Eritrea Ethiopia Equatorial Guinea Gabon The Gambia Ghana Guinea Guinea-Bissau Kenya Lesotho Liberia Libya Madagascar Malawi Mali Mauritania Mauritius Mozambique Namibia Niger Nigeria Rwanda Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic So Tom and Prncipe Senegal Seychelles Sierra Leone Somalia South Africa Sudan Swaziland Tanzania Togo Tunisia Uganda Zambia Zimbabwe
v d e
Portuguese Empire
North Africa
15th century
14151640 Ceuta
14581550 Alccer Ceguer (El Qsar es Seghir)
14711550 Arzila (Asilah)
14711662 Tangier
14851550 Mazagan (El Jadida)
1487 middle 16th century Ouadane
14881541 Safim (Safi)
16th century
15051769 Santa Cruz do Cabo de Gu (Agadir)
15061525 Mogador (Essaouira)
15061525 Aguz (Souira Guedima)
15061769 Mazagan (El Jadida)
15131541 Azamor (Azemmour)
15771589 Arzila (Asilah)
Sub-Saharan Africa
15th century
14551633 Arguin
14701975 So Tom1
14741778 Annobn
14781778 Fernando Poo (Bioko)
14821637 Elmina (So Jorge da Mina)
14821642 Portuguese Gold Coast
14961550 Madagascar (part)
14981540 Mascarene Islands
16th century
15001630 Malindi
15001975 Prncipe1
15011975 Portuguese E. Africa (Mozambique)
15021659 St. Helena
15031698 Zanzibar
15051512 Quloa (Kilwa)
15061511 Socotra
15571578 Accra
15751975 Portuguese W. Africa (Angola)
15881974 Cacheu2
15931698 Mombassa (Mombasa)
17th century
16421975 Cape Verde
16451888 Ziguinchor
16801961 So Joo Baptista de Ajud
16871974 Bissau2
18th century
17281729 Mombassa (Mombasa)
17531975 So Tom and Prncipe
19th century
18791974 Portuguese Guinea
18851975 Portuguese Congo (Cabinda)
1 Part of So Tom and Prncipe from 1753. 2 Part of Portuguese Guinea from 1879.
Southwest Asia
16th century
15061615 Gamru (Bandar-Abbas)
15071643 Sohar
15151622 Hormuz (Ormus)
15151648 Quriyat
1515? Qalhat
15151650 Muscat
1515?? Barka
15151633? Julfar (Ras al-Khaimah)
15211602 Bahrain (Muharraq and Manama)
15211529? Qatif
1521?1551? Tarut Island
15501551 Qatif
15881648 Matrah
17th century
1620? Khor Fakkan
1621?? As Sib
16211622 Qeshm
1623? Khasab
1623? Libedia
1624? Kalba
1624? Madha
16241648 Dibba Al-Hisn
1624?? Bandar-e Kong
Indian subcontinent
15th century
14981545 Laccadive Islands (Lakshadweep)
16th century
Portuguese India
15001663 Cochim (Kochi)
15021661 Quilon (Coulo/Kollam)
15021663 Cannanore (Kannur)
15071657 Negapatam (Nagapatnam)
15101962 Goa
15121525 Calicut (Kozhikode)
15181619 Paliacate (Pulicat)
15211740 Chaul
15231662 Mylapore
15281666 Chittagong
15341601 Salsette Island
15341661 Bombay (Mumbai)
15351739 Baam (Vasai-Virar)
15361662 Cranganore (Kodungallur)
15401612 Surat
15481658 Tuticorin (Thoothukudi)
15591962 Daman and Diu
15681659 Mangalore
15791632 Hugli
15981610 Masulipatnam (Machilipatnam)
15181521 Maldives
15181658 Portuguese Ceylon (Sri Lanka)
15581573 Maldives
17th century
Portuguese India
16871749 Mylapore
18th century
Portuguese India
17791954 Dadra and Nagar Haveli
East Asia and Oceania
16th century
15111641 Portuguese Malacca
15121621 Banda Islands
15121621 Moluccas (Maluku Islands)
15221575 Ternate
15761605 Ambon
15781650 Tidore
15121665 Makassar
15531999 Macau
15331545 Ningbo
15711639 Decima (Dejima, Nagasaki)
17th century
16421975 Portuguese Timor (East Timor)1
19th century
Macau
18641999 Coloane
18491999 Portas do Cerco
18511999 Taipa
18901999 Ilha Verde
20th century
Macau
19381941 Lapa and Montanha (Hengqin)
1 1975 is the date of East Timor’s Declaration of Independence and subsequent invasion by Indonesia. In 2002, the independence of East Timor was recognized by Portugal and the rest of the world.
North America and the North Atlantic Ocean
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Central and South America
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Observers
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1 Associate member. 2 Provisionally referred to by the Francophonie as the “former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia”; see Macedonia naming dispute.
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English-speaking world
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Dark blue: Countries and territories where English is spoken natively by a significant population.
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Regions where English is an official language and spoken by a significant population:
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Regions where English is an official language but not widely spoken:
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English Wiktionary
Categories: Madagascar | African countries | African Union member states | Countries of the Indian Ocean | East Africa | French-speaking countries | Island countries | Islands of Africa | Islands of Madagascar | Least Developed Countries | Malay-speaking countries and territories | Member states of La Francophonie | Physiographic provinces | Southern Africa | States and territories established in 1960Hidden categories: All articles with dead external links | Articles with dead external links from April 2009 | Wikipedia indefinitely semi-protected pages | Articles containing French language text | All articles with unsourced statements | Articles with unsourced statements from June 2008 | Articles with links needing disambiguation | Articles with unsourced statements from December 2007 | Articles with unsourced statements from August 2009
About the Author
I am an expert from China Crafts Suppliers, usually analyzes all kind of industries situation, such as long leg braces , orthopedic suppliers.
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Learning Spanish in Spanish Speaking Countries
It is quite obvious that the best way to learn to talk in Spanish fluently is by studying it in schools in Spanish speaking countries. Any person who has studied Spanish abroad can guarantee you it will be an enriching experience and that there is no substitute for it. The fact is you will be immersed in their culture, you will be listening everyday spanish words all the time plus you will be making a lot of new friends
There are 21 Spanish speaking countries on five different continents and in many different cultures to choose where to learn Spanish. With hundreds of spanish international schools out there it’s difficult to find a program that fits all your needs. That’s why is very important to figure out what your needs are, and what you are looking to gain from your time abroad.
There are a large variety of programs, from week-long to several semesters and most of the Spanish international schools offers intense and individual programs. There are also remarkable differences in cost based on location. For example getting a program in European countries is very expensive compared to affordable and more convenient countries in Latin America such as Mexico.
If your first consideration to make your choice is cost, then studying spanish in Europe is a little bit out of the question due to the fact that the exchange rate of the Euros vs. USD Dollars is considerably high at the moment. For Americans and Canadians the most convenient destination to study Spanish abroad is Mexico, in any angle you can think of: is geographically the nearest, it has an affordable cost of living, it has a very rich culture, Mexican people are among the warmest people in the world and it has beautiful places to choose from.
Now, you also have to consider the cost and quality of the programs. There are hundred of spanish schools in Mexico, however is best if they are members of international organizations such as WYSE, FIYTO and ALTO. A good school in Mexico has to be credited by the SEP (National Public Education Secretary in Mexico). Also the best spanish international schools in Mexico can give you credits for their courses through American colleges.
Security is another important issue to consider. Now, mass media has had a big impact on the perception of violence in Mexico. However a savvy traveler knows that the reality can be radically different since mass media tend to focus on sensationalism notes. Of course there are specific areas in Mexico with troubles. But I found there are many great Mexican destinations with a very low rate of violent crime compared with any regular town in the USA. Places such as Puerto Vallarta, Oaxaca and Playa del Carmen are among the safest cities in Mexico, and since their local economies depends mostly on tourism you will enjoy of a lot of public security, structure and foreigners assistance. Plus the locals tend to be very friendly and service oriented.
I can guarantee you that an immersion program in any of those cities will be a lifetime experience. If you choose so, you can stay with a local host family to go even deeper in your immersion in Mexican culture.
Personally I find the sound of Mexican Spanish way much “cooler” than Iberic Spanish (Spanish from Spain) and I love beautiful beaches, so I ended up going to Playa del Carmen and I choose a great language and cultural center that offers a package that includes 15 private Spanish lessons in one week, inscription fee, materials, transfer from Cancun International Airport, and PADI Open Water Diver Certification in 4 days during the mornings.
It was lot of fun and after I finished my spanish learning program I was more confident to talk with locals, and ended up living in Playa del Carmen 6 more weeks!. I decided to take another week of an spanish Regular Program with 20 lessons per week; it was great since includes practical conversational grammar and practical conversation and the group had a maximum of 6 students per class.
About the Author
This article has been prepared on behalf of http://www.solexico.com. Solexico is a language and cultural center with 3 spanish international schools in Mexico that offers to its students a meaningful and unforgettable cultural experience.
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Philippine Ladies In Kuwait – Are They Attractive Insideout?
There are hundreds maybe thousands of Philippine ladies in Kuwait. Kuwait is a rich and somewhat open economy with billions barrels of oil reserves that serve at least 10% or the world reserves. Other than that the living conditions, health benefits, job opportunities, and education is very promising for Filipinos in general.
If you wish to search for Philippine ladies in Kuwait you can go online and search for them in online dating sites. There are Philippine dating sites that allow Philippine ladies or better known as Filipinas to register on their sites even if they are not currently based in the Philippines. Mostly, the men who are looking for these Philippine women who are working in Kuwait are the single men who are also from the Philippines who are working there. Of course, they want to meet a woman from their country and eventually have a serious relationship with any of these ladies. Of course, there are also other foreign men who desire to meet these women in that country.
Now, once you found the online dating sites .You are allowed to browse and engage them for free only for a certain time span though. After that free trial period is over, and you are required to pay a certain fee to continue using their site. When browsing these sites you will notice their profile pictures that show the beauty of a Filipina. This profile picture is an important feature in a dating site because it enables those who visit to appreciate the members and the site in general. Having a blurred and poor selection of profile pictures will discourage anyone who visit and would not want to continue browsing.
The beauty of the Filipina is world renowned and it is not only skin deep. Even their character is pure and modest. They can easily blend in a crowd or visit a country without being obviously awkward. They can speak the English language fluently which easily shatters the language barrier. If they commit to a relationship they are intensely loyal and faithful to their partners as long as they are showered with the love and respect that is due a woman.
Filipinas join social groups being managed by Filipino expatriates in Kuwait to bring them together in social gathering to ease their homesickness. This is simply because Filipino ladies are family oriented, and their family back home matters to them a lot. For a more specific search you can engage with them in a website for Filipinos who live and work in Kuwait. They are employed in various sectors all over the city. You may find them gathering in bowling alleys, or other sports and recreation centers during off work hours. If you wish to see the beauty of a Filipina in their natural environment you can visit the Philippines or just go around the city in search of Philippine ladies in Kuwait.
Now, just go ahead, join Filipina dating and browse pictures of lovely Filipino girls looking for love and marriage. Sign up now at: http://www.FilipinaKisses.com
About the Author
Why are Filipino girls sought by many foreign men for marriage?
Do you want to meet beautiful Filipino girls who are online right now?
What is the secret to winning the Filipina woman’s heart?
Secret recipe in Malaysia
Secret Recipe Café is a lifestyle concept café chain features as a modern and metropolitan setting that it has 150 outlets throughout Malaysia and Asia. It is one of the fastest growing café chains in Asia. Our mission is to give the best satisfaction to our valued customer. Secret Recipe café offers for anybody a wide choice of more than 40 different kind of cake and fusion food for. It is one of the best places to dine in with friends and family. As in our industry analysis report, the trend is moving toward dining out from home nowadays. People tend to enjoy life and more concern about the quality of life, thus anybody are more likely to dine in more classy and trendy café and not just have their meals at restaurant that does not serve good quality food. The business we are going into is visible and viable as we offer best quality food and best service at a reasonable price. Despite the competitiveness from our competitor, with our promoting strategy and the brand name of Secret Recipe, we are positive to attain the market share we estimated. Our management team was built with 5 shareholders with qualification and knowledge in Accounting.
Company Description
Infinity Private Limited is formed through a partnership of 5 fresh graduates from Tunku Abdul Rahman College. We are planning to get a franchisee license from Secret Recipe Cakes & Café Sdn Bhd to set up a Secret Recipe franchise lifestyle café at Unit 829, Jalan Batu Karang, Taman Bandar Baru Kampar, 31900, Kampar, Perak. Our café will be a single unit, medium-sized single story café serving large variety of tasty cakes and a fusion of tasty foods.
Company Ownership
5 partners will jointly hold the company at 20% shares each. Profits are to be distributed equally among the 5 partners.
Franchisor’s Description
It is established at year 1997 by Yang Bahagia Dato’ Steven Sim. He had successfully transformed a small business into a market leader within a short period of time. Secret Recipe has established a firm presence in Asia, including Malaysia, Singapore, Philippines, Indonesia, Thailand and Pakistan. A large variety of cakes and fusion of foods are served under the brand name of Secret Recipe. The company has registered double digit growth for the past 5 years. In a period of seven years, Secret Recipe has expanded by over 100 cafes throughout the region. Defying the statistics of an economic crisis, Secret Recipe continues to register annual growth of 30% for the past three years, during the time that profits saw a 300% increase in year 2002.Secret Recipe has won numerous awards across the region for its authentic food recipes and fine quality cakes including:
“Best Cheesecake Award”
• “Most Original Chocolate Award”
• “Best Lamb Stew Award”
• “Malaysia’s Best Local Restaurant Chain”
• “Indonesian’s Best Restaurant Award”
“Singapore’s Excellent Food Award”
• “Best Brand Food & Beverage Café – The Brand Laureate Asia Pacific”
• “Best Restaurant Award – Philippines Talter”
• “Best Casual Dining Restaurant of the Year – Hospitality Asia Platinum Awards”
Secret Recipe offers customers a warm and friendly ambiance in a trend setting environment. In line with Secret Recipe’s lifestyle café concept, the cafe features the theme of fresh and simplicity chic interior. The interior also presents an interlude of vibrant splashes of dramatic colours with plush sofas and arty seats that liven up the ambiance and adding on to the cosmopolitan characteristics of the cafe. Customers may look forward to a pleasant dining experience in a modern in-trend set up. The café concept provides a location for birthday and celebration parties, private functions or business lunch functions.
Vision
Our vision is to ride on the success of Secret Recipe brand and engrave a good brand impression in the hearts of Kampar population. We strive to adhere to strict self regulation and control on the food and service standards and quality that we provide to customers.
Mission Statement
At Infinity Private Limited, we believe that our accomplishment is driven by our philosophy of practicing quality and high standards is the most important brand value for Secret Recipe. We strive to provide the best satisfaction to our valued customers. We will continue to provide friendly service beyond customer’s expectation and serve premium quality products. We adhere strictly to Secret Recipe’s core values:
QUALITY
It is everything we do. Quality is a word we used to describe our food and service. It is a philosophy that everything we do. It is always the result of high standards, sincere effort and skilful execution. Our commitment to quality distinguishes us apart from our competitors.
DEDICATION
We are dedicated to maximize the level of performance and productivity in all areas of or business. To drive success of our company, we must set aggressive goals, focus on results and an obligation to earn a profit in order to remain in the business and growth. We must not jeopardize our future for short-term gain. We shall balance our need for current earnings with our desire for consistent long-term profitability.
CONCEPT
It is a differentiated and verified concept with broad consumer appeal. This uncommon positioning and strong brand image remain part of our strongest competitive advantage.
SERVICE
I believe quality and friendly services sets us apart from our competitors. It is an effort we put in building positive customer relationship, transcend ingenuity, hard work and passion for service excellence.
RESULT ORIENTED
It is the managing performance within the company and through customer feedback is sparingly important to measure the growth of the company. We continuously measure our performance and set targets by benchmarking to stay competitive and to move ahead for growth.
Objectives
Infinity Private Limited’s main objective is to achieve a break-even point within the first year of commencing operating of business. During the first year period, marketing plan will be implemented to tap into Kampar’s market share and achieve a 10% market penetration.
For the following years, we will continue to achieve positive percentage growth that can help our café to expand steadily and remain dominant in the market segment that we are strong in.
Industry Background
Statistics Malaysia shows that the Gross Domestic Product for the year 2008 has an average growth of 4.73% for the whole year. However, it is at a 6.2% contraction for the first quarter of year 2009. Consumer Price Index shows a 7.2% increase in price of foods for the period of January to June 2009 as compare with to year 2008.
Despite the contraction of economy nationwide, our researches led us to a different opinion on lifestyle trends in Malaysia. Consumers are more and more willing to dine outside due to lack of time to cook at home as a result of doing overtimes in work. Purchasing power for outside food has greatly increase over the years because customers find that the time is much wiser to be spend on doing more work to get increases in wages.
Another trend that we see is a growing demand for better dining environment among family households. Family households demand more from eateries, including good quality foods, services and dining environment. As one’s fastest growing franchise in the food service industry, we are right on track to tap into the market in Kampar and woe customers to enjoy a good lifestyle dining experience at Secret Recipe.
Market Analysis:
Analysis of Business Environment
Kampar district of 920 sq km have a growing population of 93,000 residents to date and a yearly revenue of RM 12million.Our targeted market are the “new town” in Kampar district, Bandar Baru Kampar where it had rapidly developed over the years. More they 5,000 houses and shops were built in this town and hub of education such as major university and college were set up here. Furthermore, the biggest hotel in Kampar is already in operation here. It should attract many tourists as it is in center of many attractions such as Gua Tempurung, Batu Berangkai Waterfall and white water rafting. Our market consists of students and lecturers from Tunku Abdul Rahman University and Tunku Abdul Rahman College, white collar workers, residents and tourists.
Market size
In Bandar Baru Kampar there will be over 18,000 residents residing that town. Many of these households are from middle income family earning RM2, 000-3,000 with high purchasing power. The hub of education also draws a population of more than 9,000 students’ age among 18-24 with high purchasing power and going after trendy and classy lifestyle. The biggest hotel in Kampar that located just one km from our shop, The Grand Kampar Hotel attracts over 3,000 tourists annually because it tactical location. Lastly, we targeted the 1,200 white collar workers who work in the town to consume in our café. Should we be capable of attract 10% of the population to order a slice of cake per month and 10% of the population to order a cake per year, we are able to sell 6,240 cakes year the year 2009 to that market alone. On top of that, should there be a meal being bought for two slices of cake sold, we are able to sell 37,440 meals for the year 2009.
Demographic Changes
The trend of demographic in our targeted area is set to be increased at a high rate with more students coming to Kampar to pursue education in newly launched University Tunku Abdul Rahman as the university completes its transition from old campus to the newly built campus. This leads to increase in population aged 18 to 24 with high purchasing power. The demographic of family households has the now been largely diluted with many college students. College students tend to eat out often over doing the cooking themselves.
Attitude of the community towards our business
There is a high demand for a lifestyle dining concept among college students and average family household. This particular category of consumer is willing to pay premium in return for better environment to dine in, good service and quality foods. Consumer reports in the targeted area ends that consumers should rather eat out with friends and families to save time on cooking, only during the time that still able to use the extra time saved with friends and families. Thus, customers demand quality service and environment when dining out.
Analysis of the Competition
Our competition consists of a less foods café located nearby our location. The competition will be quite fierce as it offer food at lower price compares to our. In whatever way our lifestyle café will set us apart from the competition as we focus on best quality food and cake, cozy lifestyle ambiance dining concept and therefore we emphasize on providing only the best dining experience to our customers.
Golden Sand Cafe
Golden Sand café is our main competitor. It is at the shop lots opposite to our store at roughly 200 meter distance. It serves a variety of western food that includes steak with rice, spaghetti, and soups. Their main target is the students from university and college, thus their average price per meal is set within the range of RM9-12.
Yum Yum Cafe
Yum Yum Café is at the corner of the same shop lots as our café. Customers serve mostly Chinese food such as noodle and rice that comes with a dish. Their meals price was set quite low to attract customer, within the range of RM 7-10.However, the review from customer for food has not been sparingly good.
Big A Kopitiam
It is a local restaurant that serves local delicacies from all over Malaysia. It is located quite a distance from our shop, almost 2 km. Hence, they targeted market are those downtown workers and late nighters as their shop operates till two am.
Marketing Plan:
Product
Secret Recipe is well known in Malaysia for its fine quality cakes, fusion food and distinctive service. Our well-guarded homemade recipes have become favorites for both old and young. We are serving a wide selection that it is over 40 kinds of gourmet quality cake and other baked desserts. However, we also offer savoury foods such as local delicacies and fusion food. It includes Secret Recipe award winning Lamb-Stew and other favourite’s dish of all time, Black Pepper Chicken, Kebab and Pasta. We offer over 40 types of different cheesecake, chocolate cake, and brownies. Other than that, we also offer seasonal cakes using seasonal ingredient in Malaysia such as Durian Cake, Durian Cheesecake and Hazel Cheesecake. Health Cake was introduced to the market as the market trend shift to healthier lifestyle. Sugar free and trans-free cake such as Sugar Free Moist Chocolate Cake and Hi-fiber Cream Cheese was put on shelf and gets good review from the customers. Secret Recipe do have the baking cake service in different shape characters of Disney cartoon based on the customer’s choice of flavour preference. Customer can choose the cartoon character pose from our album and choose up to 3 different flavours depending on how big the cake they want. This cake reservation must be made 3 days in advance. Our menu includes a few sections that are: Vegetarian: Its offers choice of salads and Japanese soba for those who vegetarian or those who wish to have a fresh salad bowl as appetizer.
Soup: Secret Recipe does have well-guarded soups recipes such as mushroom soup, pumpkin soup and carrot and ginger soup.
Chicken: This section serves chicken in a variety of dish such as Chicken Steak Burger with Fries, Grilled Chicken (Black Pepper, Mushroom, BBQ) Chicken Kebab and many more delicious dishes with chicken.
Pasta: We offer spaghetti with recipe all over the world no matter in western or Asia, such as Spaghetti Bolognese and Tom Yam spaghetti. It is popular food in our menu.
Asian Classic: This section provides the best food selected from all over Asia.
Fish and Lamb: The Lamb Stew has been awarded ‘Best Lamb Stew Award”, it had becomes a signature dish in Secret Recipe. Western foods are also served such as Fish And Chips.
Kids club: Secret Recipe Café had been also considering as kids favourites dish and gather it in menu too. It comes in a smaller portion and smaller bite to ease the kids in dining. Pies: It offers best pies recipe and created to engage the taste customer buds. Brownies: Brownies are offer in Secret Recipe Café with a variety choice. It is suitable for both young and old and in comes in a fine texture of taste and quality. Secret Recipe Café also serves a variety of drinks choice that includes Coffee, Organic tea, Milkshake, Yogurt shake, Fruit Juice, Ice Blended, Iced tea and also hot drinks.
Distribution
We distribute our products directly to our customer that is through retail shop. Secret Recipe also offers cake delivery if customers make booking of minimum 2 cakes through our website[1]. The delivery shall made in 5 km radius from our shop.
Promotion
As we are the franchise of Secret Recipe Café, the advertising on the franchise business as a whole will be place by the induct company in major newspaper. At the grand opening of our branch, we shall hold an opening party. Free food such as our signature cheesecake and drinks from menu shall serve. By this method we can gain publicity and build our brand name in town. The grand opening of the branch in Kampar will be put up in website of Secret Recipe Café as free advertising. Besides that we will also put up banner at the lamp post along the main road into the town to bring up the awareness of residents in town of the opening of our café. Apart from that we shall place advertisement of the opening of our shop in local daily newspaper. This is an efficient ways of spreading the words among the local to let them aware of the brand new café existence. Upon opening of our shop, we shall distribute flyers at both the Tunku Abdul Rahman University and Tunku Abdul Rahman College and to the white collar workers. Then we make a sponsorship for an event in Tunku Abdul Rahman University to build our brand name and to introduce it to the students and lecturers.
As to attract the tourist, we will meet the management of The Grand Kampar Hotel to discuss on placing our brochure on the front desk as information to the tourist who accommodate there. Secret Recipe Café also offer Birthday Promotion for the birthday girl/boy with the condition of purchasing a whole cake and the birthday girl/ boy will be given a complimentary meal and drink. The second promotion is RM15 per meal that comes with a drink; the customer can choose the meal and drink from the given set menu.
Place
We have chosen a strategic location facing a new plaza that will build not far in future. This location is located in the center of the town where it’s surrounded by the Tunku Abdul Rahman University, Tunku Abdul Rahman College, over 5000 houses and shop lots. After surveying a few potential shop lots, we have decided to rent Unit 829, Taman Bandar Baru Kampar, 31900, Kampar, Perak. The property is about 2056 square feet and the height is about 4 meters. The premise rental is Rm 2,000 per month. The premise will be renovated according to the design of layout provided by the main franchisor of Secret Recipe Cakes & Café Sdn Bhd as to customize the entire branch.
The location was selected because the population in the town alone is 18,000 residents and the students from both the university and college make up to 9,000. Furthermore the biggest hotel in Kampar district was located about 400 meters away from our shop; the hotel attracts more than 3,000 tourist per year. This new town in Kampar will have a steady growth of population as the hub of education was build here and the business center of Kampar are shifting into here as well. The shop was located at the front row of shop lots and can be easily seen from the main road from Kampar old town. The main road is the road accessible to university, college and also the hotel. It may draw many attention and gets free publicity. Many parking lots are available at the front of our shop and within our café area. It is very convenient for customer to find parking.
Pricing
Our product prices are set by Secret Recipe and we adhere to the price strategies set by Secret Recipe. Secret Recipe uses a price lining strategy on certain product categories. This is to simplify the customer’s choices by introducing same pricing for foods of the same type. Secret Recipe’s markup of 250% to arrive at menu price is at the industry average level range. This is to cover up the overheads generated to operate the business. Prices’ retails will be competitive at about $15 for the average meal that is about 30% above our competitor’s prices. However customers are simply willing to pay more for healthier, tasty food served in a clean, comfortable and pleasant environment. Our pricing objective is to be as reasonable as possible for the average household income who demands a good dining experience; therefore the cap limit for that the average target market should be willing to pay for a meal is slightly above the usual pricing. This applies to the ala carte meals only. We have another set if pricing policies for our cakes that is different from the ala carte meals.
Tapping into the idea and trend of people craving for Secret Recipe’s cakes, we are able to introduce our cakes at a standard RM6.30 per slice of cake and a standard RM70.00 per cake. Customers are just willing to go for our quality cakes because of our brand in cake making industry which had won us lots of awards. Nevertheless, for cakes that requires custom designs, shapes, decorations, a premium will be charged because of the usage of more than 1 recipes and the additional work on the cake. Customized cakes with 1 recipe will have a mark up of 250% on cost, 2 recipes will have a mark-up of 600% on cost and 3 recipes will have a mark-up of 800% on cost. The premiums are paid for the amount of recipes used in the cake making process.
We shall exercise product bundling by introducing set meals to customers who come to dine during peak hours that is lunch hour and dinner hour. The objective of setting product bundling pricing is to maximize table turnovers during the peak period and boosting sales. By packaging a main course meal with a soup of choice and a drink, we are able to introduce set packs at a much lower mark-up margin. Riding on the idea that white collar classes people and college students who are in a rush to have their lunch, it should be efficient that we get a lower margin but able to maximize the table turnovers to maximize our sales during peak hours. Labour costs are based on monthly basis where staffs will be paid at the end of the month. Besides this, bonus will be given at the start of every year.
Bonuses are given to employee based on performance of the company for the year. Raw materials prices that we obtained are discounted prices 10% below market price as set in an agreement by Secret Recipe franchisor with suppliers. This is the bang for the buck spot as the cost and thus, leaving us with more space for our margins.
Management Structure
Our management team consist of five (5) partners that will be Chan Chi Yee, Lian Ye Chen, Lim Swee Ling, Ng Kim Toh, and Tee Yang Wei. We segregate the duties to among five partners. Our aim is to motivate our managers to take a personal stake in the company success, and for the reason each managers will be shared any profit that has been generated. The sharing profit ratio will be 20% for each partner.
Marketing and Sales Manager
This position will be assigned to Chan Chi Yee. He will responsible for daily sales, advertising, promotional plan and budgeting plan.
Financial Manager
Tee Yang Wei will be appointed as financial manager as he has the qualification as an accountant. Therefore, he is capable of handling this responsibility. He will responsible for accounting reporting and tax computation.
Purchasing Manager
Ng Kim Toh will take the responsibility of this position. She is responsible for keep contact with our master suppliers list in order to ensure the supplier will deliver the raw material on times and in good condition. Administration and Human Resource Manager
This position will be appointed to Lian Ye Chen. She will responsible for all the administration works. In addition, she also responsible to call with Secret Recipe franchisor for fresh recruit on-site training, set up and implement staff policy and accounting payroll.
Supervisor
Lim Swee Ling will take over this responsibility. She is responsible for evaluate staff performance, prepare staff daily schedule, monitor the daily operation and do cash counting at the end of each operating day.
Operational Plan Location
It must be at the good strategic location. Therefore, the location that we have chose will be located at Taman Bandar Baru Selatan Kampar which is a surrounding by housing area, highly visible, high stream of customers as it is near to the University of Tunku Abdul Rahman and College Tunku Abdul Rahman. The floor area is about 2,056 square feet. The rental per month will be RM2, 000 that is considered reasonable. The shop will be renovated as the design of layout that provided by Secret Recipe franchisor.
Operation Hours
Our daily operation hours for Sunday to Thursday will be 10am to 10pm. For Friday and Saturday our operation hours will be from 10am to 12am to accommodate the longer peak period during dinner, because more family households choose to dine up outside during this time. Besides that, our staff will be required to come in 1 hour in advance in order to any necessary preparation.
Operation
In order to keep efficiency for daily operation, we shall hire two chefs; one will be the main chef and another one
Will be responsible for pastry plus we also hire an assistance chef to provide assistance for the two main chefs. Besides that, four full-time staff will also be recruited and also one’s part time staffs that will fill in the job whenever one of our full-time staff is on leave. We will also assign two shifts for our staffs which is 1 day shift and night shift. Furthermore, the order and payment by customers will be fully computerized, in order to ensure the effectiveness and efficiency of our operation to minimize error.
Supplier
We shall purchase our raw material from the suppliers that provided by the Secret Recipe franchiser, because it is more reliable and quality control by headquarter. Furthermore, purchase the raw material through the suppliers list given by Secret Recipe franchisor will be given us a lower price that the price is quoted at below 10% of the market price. We also given the benefit of 30 days credit term for procurement of raw material, this allows to loosen up our cash outflow.
Equipment
The suppliers of equipment, furniture, kitchen ware, auxiliary, toiletries and cutleries shall be provided by the Secret Recipe franchisor about customize to their policy of shop layout concept.
Training
Secret Recipe franchiser shall be provided on-site training for the chef, pastry chef and also waitress. The chef must undergo 1 month training on how to prepare the dish on menu at Kuala Lumpur headquarter. The pastry chef must also be trained in Kuala Lumpur on how to prepare the cake and desserts. The training objectives are not only to teach on the preparation of food but also to increase their knowledge and skill. The full times workers shall also be train by the management in headquarter as how to serve the customers and how to prepare the drinks.
[1]www.secretrecipe.com.my
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mehrdad.salehi64@gmail.com