The written history of Madagascar began in the [[7th century]], when [[Arab]]s established trading posts along the northwest coast. European contact began in the [[1500]]s, when [[Portugal|Portuguese]] sea captain [[Diego Dias]] sighted the island after his ship became separated from a fleet going to [[India]]. In the late 17th century, the [[France|French]] established trading posts along the east coast. From about [[1774]] to [[1824]], it was a favorite haunt for [[pirate]]s, including [[United States|American]]s, one of whom brought [[Malagasy]] rice to [[South Carolina]].

Beginning in the 1790s, [[Merina]] rulers succeeded in establishing [[hegemony]] over the major part of the island, including the coast. In [[1817]], the Merina ruler and the [[United Kingdom|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.......

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Title: Madagascar
Approximate Word Count: 3734
Approximate Pages: 15 (250 words per double-spaced page)

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