2. REGIONAL OFFICES AND THEIR REGIONS 2 ANTANANARIVO ANTSIraBE DIEGO SUAREZ FIANaraNTSOA MAHAJANGA MORONdaVA NOSY BE At present Madagascar has twelve Regional offices affiliated with SaINTE MARIE the National Tourism Office. Each coincides with their administrative SAVA regions, but some key tourism spots, such as Nosy Be or Sainte Marie, TOAMASINA have their own Offices, and others may be created according to the TaOLAGNARO same criteria to promote them. TOLIara 17 Antananarivo Antananarivo, with its rich history and (Tananarive) picturesque qualities, is one of the most unique capitals in the world. Originally built like a fortress on a hilltop, it subsequently spread to the neighbouring knolls, stretched to the slopes and transformed the marshes below. In less than a century, from the middle-ages to modern times, the population has risen from 50,000 to nearly 2 million, Antananarivo is known for its steep- • The Sacred Hills. There are12 sacred hills in tana, which symbolize the kingdom and sloped streets, endless total, depending on the sources, and the the aviavy, which represent nobility. The- stairways, and traditional houses nestling against most reputed ones are: the set of 3 hills re is a wide variety of hiking trails around each other and offering forming Analamanga, the original site this area as well. their verandas to the of Antananarivo; Ambohimanga, where setting sun. Andrianampoinimerina’s conquests • Along RN1 leading to the volcanic region began and classified as a World Heritage of Itasy, tourists will find theL emurs’ Park by UNESCO; Ilafy, to the north of the ca- with its 9 species of lemurs nestled in an pital, where King Radama II entertained enchanting environment. Antongona is his guests; Ambohidrabiby, where zebu another noteworthy site featuring a hill meat was first introduced by King at the entrance of Imerintsiatosika where Ralambo around 1600; Antsahadinta, to two royal huts have been transformed the south-west, with its trees, the amon- into museums at its summit. 18 regional Offices and their regions 2 • On RN2, the road to Tamatave, sits • Along RN3, Anjozorobe rests in its forest Ambohimalaza, a historical village fa- corridor, highly appreciated by bird- mous for its immense necropolis and watchers as it has the added advantage its tombs surmounted by small houses of having aquatic birds as well as those called tranomanara. inland dwellers. Nandihizana, facing the Massif of Angavo- • 140 km to the north kely, offers one of the west along RN4, the most beautiful pano- Royal Palm tree, ende- ramas of the Central mic of the Tampoketsa Highlands. Amba- of Ankazobe, reins in tolaona is the entry the natural forest of point to Mantasoa, the Special Reserve of whose attractions Ambohitantely. include a beautiful lake, and slopes stud- • Finally, along RN7, ded with quaint ho- 30 km from the capital, mes and its historical vestiges. Finally, Analamanga Park, a compound for lei- the road winds down literally to more sure activities and handicraft markets magnificent scenery at the Gorges of which delineates the southern border of Mandraka. the Region. 19 Antsirabe and the Vakinankaratra Situated 170 km from Antananarivo on the RN7, Antsirabe is the capital of Vakinankaratra. This quaint spa town is surrounded by volcanic mountains and has a typically cooler climate. The first spa establishment was built in 1917 and it soon became a vacation spot for people from all over the country, and even neighbouring islands, who wanted to experience the healing properties of its waters. Antsirabe, which can be toured from the seat of one of many rickshaws, offers the tranquillity of a small European provincial town while maintaining its typically Malagasy touch which it unveils in markets and traditional quarters. 20 regional Offices and their regions 2 • In its immediate surroundings is the of Sahatany is located at its foot, and is July until August, is the coldest place in nearly circular lake of Andraikiba which, considered a key spot for mineralogy. Madagascar in the winter months. It is on in some spots, is 165 m deep. Tritriva, the Benefiting from its close proximity, the the road to Antananarivo, and has an most famous crater lake of Madagascar, stone cutters of Antsirabe are among the extensive market, with everything from can be found 17 km to the southwest. most skilful on the island. Betafo is ano- cooking pots to foie-gras. It is also the best Its dull blue-green waters have a strange ther small town 22 km to the west along entrance into the Massif of Ankaratra, unexplained characteristic: their level the shore of Lake Tatamarina. Its name the fish farm of Manjakatompo, and decreases in the rainy season and rises in is associated with the falls of Antafofo Mount Tsinjoarivo, the third highest peak the dry season. whose waters drop from a 20 m height in on the island at an altitude of 2000 m. two uneven levels into a setting forming At the southeast outermost bounds of • Mount Ibity is situated 30 km to the a half-moon shape. the Imerina region, Tsinjoarivo overlooks south, showcasing its orchids growing the falls of Onive, the holiday resort of amidst the rocky landscape. The valley • Ambatolampy, the capital of mimosa from last queens. 21 Diego Suarez At the extreme north of the Great Island, Diego Suarez is situated in an exceptionally beautiful (anTsiranana) setting, at the bottom of a large bay made up of the Bays of the French, of Thunder, of White stones and by the Gallois cul de sac. The Indian Ocean and the Mozambique Channel meet on either side of this body of water. A cosmopolitan town, Diego Suarez lives with the rhythm of its shipyards, and along its straight streets lined with buildings brightened with colonnades reigns a unique atmosphere which is not felt in any other town in Madagascar. • The Coast of the Bays is a succession of of Antsiranana locals on the weekends. coves and lagoons protected by coral reefs Following the road to the east, one will to the east of Diego. It is surroun- encounter the Mountain of the French ded by the Emerald Sea, a wide with its Way of the Cross that leads to lagoon where one can dive in a caves and vestiges of fortifications. natural aquarium. The Bay of the Pigeon and the Bay of the Dunes are • The rock of the Windsor Castle stands both nearly untouched white sand proudly to the west, with its 360° pano- beaches that offer an exquisite view ramic view of the Cape of Amber to the of the pass. The nearby Bay of the Saka- north, the Coast of the Bays to the east, lava is recognized as one of the most the foothills of the Mountain of Amber to beautiful windsurfing spots in the the south, and to the west, the Coast of world. Ramena is the perfect spot the Virgin Islands and its Bay of Courrier for simple leisure activities, loca- leading up to the Mozambique Channel. ted 18 km from the town, and Very much appreciated by the passio- it remains the favourite beach nate of diving and game fishing, this is 22 regional Offices and their regions 2 a great starting point for yachts navigating along the northwest coast. They will pass by a myriad of islands with names like Nosy Hara, the Island of Goats, and the Island of Gulls, all of which are superb nature sanctuaries. • The Mountain of Amber, which acts as a sort of water tower for the whole region because of its micro- climate, stands inland, along with the Massif of Ankarana, its Tsingy, and its networks of underground rivers and caves, some of which are ancient royal burial places. 23 Fianarantsoa Fianarantsoa is often referred to as the twin sister of Antananarivo. Like the capital, it has its own Lake Anosy, a railway line going to the east • Fianarantsoa is a colourful town situated curiosities such as Andriamamovoka, coast, hills and an Old City, in the middle of its racially diverse former a waterfall that can only be reached on the “Tanana Ambony,” whose province; it is a lovely and very hilly place foot, the road to Andina which features construction started in 1830. with many markets and handcrafts unique an impressive layout of terraced rice This heritage site is kept to the region. fields, and the marble quarries of Amba- jealously undisturbed and tofinandrahana, only 82 km away along inaccessible to cars, a must- • To the north, Ambositra is the gate to the the road to Morondava. see with its long paved road, stairways and labyrinths of Zafimaniry land and the capital of wood- small paths, old houses with work. This region does not unveil itself to • The legendary Fianarantsoa-Manakara flowers-studded balconies and the hurried traveller but offers numerous osuscitated thanks to an exceptional gleaming tiled roofs. 24 regional Offices and their regions enthusiasm from all horizons. The ride includes 56 tunnels, 4 viaducts and 40 other structures, and 17 stations along the 170 km of a route sometimes clinging to the mountain. Crossing the immense tea plantations of Sahambavy is a memorable voyage. • Ambalavao, 56 km to the south of Fianarantsoa, practically straddles the Betsileo, Bara and Tanala 2 lands. It is the capital of the Malagasy wine, of the “arindrano” fabric which is sometimes fringed with pearls, and of the antemoro paper. Do not forget to take photos of its beautiful houses and their terraces with varied openwork design and the zebu market, the second-largest on the island. • The mountains of Andringitra and the mythical Ambondrombe are perfect for excursions. Ambohimahamasina, to the east of Ambalavao, is a town that has embraced community-based sustainable tourism.