Alaotra-Mangoro

Population

The region is mainly populated by the Sihanaka in the north, and the Bezanozano in the south. Other minorities are present, notably the Merina.

Economy

Agriculture

With 120.000 ha of planted surface, the region constitutes the main rice basin of Madagascar. Other crops cover manioc (175.000 tonnes), potatoes (49.000 tonnes), corn (50.000 tonnes) and sugar cane (50.000 tonnes). Livestock (Zebu) reaches 265.000 heads and fishing 2000-2500 tons per year.

Mining

There is an important nickel mine near Moramanga/Ampitambe: the Ambatovy mine. Other mining activities are found in Andilamena, Ambatondrazaka and Didy where sapphire and ruby are mined.

Transport

National Roads

• Route nationale 2 (Antananarivo - Moramanga - Toamasina).
• Route nationale 44 (Moramanga - Ambatondrazaka - Imerimandroso - Amboavory).

Railways

• TCE (Tananarive-Côte Est) railway - (Toamasina - Moramanga - Antananarivo).
• MLA (Moramanga-Lac Alaotra) railway (Moramanga - Ambatondrazaka).

Airports

• Ambatondrazaka Airport
• Amparafaravola Airport
• Ambohijanahary Airport

Protected areas

• Torotorofotsy New Protected Area
• Part of Ankeniheny-Zahamena Corridor
• Lake Alaotra
• Maromizaha
• Ambatofotsy New Protected Area
• Ampananganandehibe-Behasina New Protected Area
• Ampotaka Ankorabe New Protected Area
• Analabe Betanatanana New Protected Area
• Analalava New Protected Area
• Mahialambo New Protected Area
• Mangabe-Ranomena-Sahasarotra New Protected Area
• Ambohidray New Protected Area
• Part of Zahamena National Park
• Mantadia National Park
• Analamazaotra National Park
• Part of Marotandrano Reserve
• Peyrieras Reptile Reserve (a butterfly farm and reptile center) at Marozevo

Rivers

• Ivondro River
• Marimbona
• Sahamaitso
• Sahatandra
• Sandrangato
• Vohitra River