Madagascar.

Towns.

Antananarivo is the capital of Madagascar and is situated 1,275m above sea level almost in the centre of the country. It is built on the summit and slopes of a rocky ridge and thus provides some spectacular views. It also has, being so high up, some of the best clouds I have ever seen over a capital city or maybe it is just the general scenery that makes them attractive. When you fly into it, the whole city appears red and green due to the soil and rice fields. Although I did not like Tana (as its normally called) when I first visited it, I have come to like the city a lot since then. I suppose it is like any large city and it is just a question of getting to know it. There have also been vast improvments in the city since my first visit with the whole central area being much cleaner than my initial recollections of it. This improvement was put down to Marc Ravalomanana who was the mayor of Tana for many years and being a self made millionaire has a penchant for business and getting peole to work hard for him. He has since become the president of Madagascar and the people are placing a lot of faith in him doing something similar to the country as a whole. It's foundation dates back to around 1625 and it's current population is around 1.4 million.

Antsirabe is the third largest city in Madagascar with a population of about 183,000 and is also set high in the mountains at 1,500m. Antsirabe is the centre of everything in Madagasacr it seems. Whenever we would ask where such and such a fruit, or tea or coffee came from we would invariably end up with the answer, Antsirabe. It is also the home of one of Madagascar's most famous products, Three Horses Beer. Famous in Madagascar anyway.

Click on the photos link above left for some photos of the above cities and towns.