Vakinankaratra is a

region In geography, regions, otherwise referred to as areas, zones, lands or territories, are portions of the Earth's surface that are broadly divided by physical characteristics (physical geography), human impact characteristics (human geography), and ...

in central

Madagascar Madagascar, officially the Republic of Madagascar, is an island country that includes the island of Madagascar and numerous smaller peripheral islands. Lying off the southeastern coast of Africa, it is the world's List of islands by area, f ...

. The capital of the region is

Antsirabe Antsirabe () also known as Ville d'eau is the list of cities in Madagascar, third largest city in Madagascar and the capital of the Vakinankaratra region, with a population of 265,018 in 2014. In Madagascar, Antsirabe is known for its relatively ...

. Vakinankaratra covers an area of , and had a population of 2,074,358 in 2018.

History

The kingdom of Vakinankaratra, known as the kingdom of the river Andrantsay, was founded at the beginning of the 17th century by Andrianony, a prince originally from Alasora, south of

Antananarivo Antananarivo (Malagasy language, Malagasy: ; French language, French: ''Tananarive'', ), also known by its colonial shorthand form Tana (), is the Capital city, capital and largest city of Madagascar. The administrative area of the city, known ...

. The capital of the kingdom used to be Fivavahana in today's Betafo District. The last ruler of the Kingdom of Andrantsay was Andriamanalinarivo who was on the throne when Imerina king

Andrianampoinimerina Andrianampoinimerina () (c. 1745–1810) ruled the Kingdom of Imerina on Madagascar from 1787 until his death. His reign was marked by the reunification of Imerina following 77 years of civil war, and the subsequent expansion of his kingdom in ...

conquered the area with the help of the young prince Radama at the beginning of the 19th century. The territory was integrated into the Merina Kingdom under the new name Vakinankaratra. During the colonial period the centre of the region shifted to

Population

Vakinankaratra is the second most populous region of Madagascar and it has the second highest population density, only beaten by Analamanga, where the national capital and biggest city,

, is located. In 2018, Vakinankaratra had a population of 2,074,358 and an average density of 117.0 people per km². The vast majority of the population belongs to the

Merina The Merina people (also known as the Imerina, Antimerina, Borizany or Ambaniandro) formerly called Amboalambo are the largest ethnic group in Madagascar.

ethnic group.

Economy

Vakinankaratra generates 10% of the GDP of Madagascar. There is an important textile industry and it is the principal bassin of legume production of the island. It also supplies 65% of the milk produced in Madagascar.

Geography

Vakinankaratra is situated in the central highlands of Madagascar. The region covers an area of , making it the third least extensive region in Madagascar. It borders the region of Bongolava in the northwest, Itasy in the north, Analamanga in the northeast, Alaotra Mangoro and Atsinanana in the east,

Amoron'i Mania Amoron'i Mania (''Translated: Banks of the Mania'') is a region in central Madagascar Madagascar, officially the Republic of Madagascar, is an island country that includes the island of Madagascar and numerous smaller peripheral islands. ...

in the south, and Menabe to the west. A number of precious minerals are found in Vakinankaratra, including Ferrocolumbite, Liddicoatite, and

Londonite The Borate Minerals are minerals which contain a borate anion group. The borate (BO3) units may be polymerised similar to the SiO4 unit of the silicate mineral class. This results in B2O5, B3O6, B2O4 anions as well as more complex structures whic ...

Bodies of Water

* Lake Tritriva (15 km from Antsirabe) * Lake Andraikiba (7 km from Antsirabe) * Tatamarina Lake (at Betafo) * The Mania River flows south of Antsirabe. * The Onive River at Tsinjoarivo, Antanifotsy and Ambatolampy. * The Andromba River at Behenjy. * The Sahasarotra river

Protected Area

* Manjakatompo Ankaratra New Protected Area * Faratsiho Natural Park

Administrative divisions

Vakinankaratra Region is divided into seven districts, which are sub-divided into 89 communes. * Ambatolampy District - 19 communes * Antanifotsy District - 13 communes * Antsirabe I District - 1 commune *

Antsirabe II District Antsirabe II is a rural district in Vakinankaratra Region, Madagascar. The district surrounds the urban district and city of Antsirabe Antsirabe () also known as Ville d'eau is the list of cities in Madagascar, third largest city in Madagasc ...

- 20 communes * Betafo District - 18 communes * Faratsiho District - 9 communes * Mandoto District - 9 communes

Transport

Airport

* Antsirabe Airport

Roads

* National road 7 - mayor axe North - South. * National road 43 - ( Analavory - Ambohibary) * National road 34 (

- Malaimbandy (Menabe)) * Provincial road 73 ( Tsiafajavona Ankaratra to Ambatolampy). * Provincial road 111 ( Antanifotsy - Tsarahonenana Sahanivotry) * Provincial road 122 (

- Soanindrariny) * Provincial road 123 ( Tsarahonenana Sahanivotry - Antanambao, Antsirabe II)

Railways

Madarail The government of Madagascar has granted Madarail a 25-year concession to operate the northern of the two national rail lines. The company is investing in Madagascar's rail system. Operations began in 2003 with one locomotive; 7 more locomotiv ...

(159 km) - presently closed due to collapse of the bridge of the river Sasaony, at 19 km from Antananarivo.L'Express de Madagascar: Ligne Antananarivo-Antsirabe
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Sports

Football: * FC Vakinankaratra (several times champions of Madagascar) * FC Jirama Antsirabe Basketball: * GNBC

Gallery

File:Lake Tritriva 02.jpg, Lake Tritriva File:Antsirabe_-_rue_principale02.JPG,

File:Ambatolampy madagascar.JPG, Ambatolampy File:Antanifotsy 01.JPG, Antanifotsy File:Tombeau des rois à Betafo.jpg, Royal tombs in Betafo.

References

External links

Région Vakinankaratra
Official site in French.
Tourism
Official tourism site of Vakinankaratra. {{Authority control Regions of Madagascar