Madagascar Sights

One of the most unique corners of the earth, a fragment of the ancient continent Gondwana, Madagascar is a mini-continent, over-saturated with exotic life forms, many of which are found only here.

Island strikes even their appearance - the bright red lateritic earth are the "foundation" of bright green vegetation, rocks formed by ancient mountains, volcanic lakes and interspersed with tracts of desert areas, many kilometers of beaches are bounded by land tracts of relict forests and plenty of deep rivers and erosion forms attached to the local topography is more varied. If we add to this the unique flora and fauna, which have no analogue in the world, as well as the colorful local population, which is a unique "mixture" and Malaysian peoples of African descent, we get precisely what creates the glory of Madagascar, as one of the "relic" places of the planet.

Antananarivo
Antananarivo ( "city of a thousand warriors"), or as it is often called here - Tana, the largest and colorful city of the island. The city is located at altitudes from 1240 to 1470 m in the valley between two hills, and low houses climb the stairs to the slopes, forming a real maze of alleyways, arches, terraces, balconies and staircases.

The main attraction of the capital - the monumental ensemble of palaces Rouvaen Ambuhimanga: "Double Palace" Mandzakamiadana (XVII century.) Mahitsilafandzaka, Tranavaluna, Manampisoa (1866) and Tomb Madagascan royalty.

Also interested in the Presidential Palace and the complex of ministry buildings, the Palace of the Prime Minister, the National Library, Ministry of Internal Affairs and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the country in quarter of the anus, "the area of channels" Antuhumadinika (There is also a mosque and the Catholic Church), the Municipal Theater Izutri Street Raketamanga, stadium Mahamasina , park of Tsimbazaza with splendid Botanical Gardens, the Museum of Archeology and Paleontology, colorful garden Besareti in the quarter Andravuhangi Center farming Mazurevu Farm near Fiadamana Lake Anus with a monument to the participants of the First World War and the Croc Farm near the airport Iwata - the best Madagascar farm breeding crocodiles.

In the city a lot of shops that sell every imaginable types of goods, but the most popular, of course, enjoy the famous market Zuma (Friday) on Independence Avenue - one of the world's largest open-air markets. No less interesting for the entire shopping district Analakeli, the flower market on Prospect June 26, gallery Yerden, a huge market of handicrafts in the quarter Andruvuhangi (Andhra Nuahangi) and the National Center for Malagasy crafts.

Definitely worth visiting to view folk theater "Hira gasi. This is a unique, pure Malagasy phenomenon - the amateur folk troupe gather in a place (folk theater, stadium, market, etc.) and compete in the art of poetry, music, dance and elegance of the costumes. The audience for such performances the most democratic - farmers, unemployed workers, poets ... Therefore these amazing performances going on all day much to the delight of others.

Island of Nosy-Be
Island of Nosy-Be, "visit card" of the spa Madagascar, located 150 km south-west of Antsiranana. Literally, the island's name translates as "big island". This is one of the recognized centers of international tourism with great beaches, framed by coconut palm trees, luxury hotels and plenty of nightclubs.

Nosy-Be always crowded and quite unlike the rest of Madagascar.

In the capital of the island - Anduani (Elvil), deserve attention oceanographic research center, a monument to Russian soldiers, a colorful market, Muslim and Christian cemeteries.

No less interesting Dive Center "Ocean-Dream" and a waterfall in Ambatuluake, place Dzamandzari, which in 1900 produced first-rate rum, reserve Lukube, sacred volcanic lake Andzavibe, Amparihimirahavavi, Bemapaza, Antsahamanavaka, Antsidihi, Amparihibe and Maintimasu at the foot of the mountain Passo, "Silver Falls", Preserve the island Nosy Kumba and the National Underwater Park Island Nosy Tanikeli.

Countless waterfalls and rapids - Gems of Madagascar landscape. In the area of rapids on the river near the town of Betsibuka Maevatanana water red with suspended silt particles in them, at this rate falls from heights of rocky rapids, water dust that rises above the highest trees on the shore. Deserved are well-known waterfalls in the river near the town Mahavavi Ambilobe, as well as a large cascade in the National Park Montagne d'Ambr and waterfalls on the river Mandrianamputsi. The largest waterfall in the country located on the river Sakaleuna (elevation 200 m) near the town Nusivarika.

Toamasina
Toamasina - Madagascar's largest port and second largest city in the country. Always a bustling business activities of the port where the ships are found all over the world, the city of mansions in colonial style, and numerous bazaars, Toamasina attracts thousands of visitors.

Attractions of the city's enormous central market ( "market-be") and a large market Koli, City Hall on Independence Avenue, the area of Columns, "the miraculous tomb" Belaseti, Palace of Children, University Museum and the old colonial quarter.

But the greatest interest is the neighborhood of the city - 11 kilometers. Toamasina is located on the zoo Ivuluina with a beautiful botanical garden, and Mahaveluna Vuhimasina are royal castles, in Ambalatranu - the sacred grotto Andavakandrehi betsimisaraka a necropolis, and in Farafati - the ruins of the largest in the region of the fort. In the vicinity of the city and many excellent recreational areas - Balneotherapy resort Fulpuent (Mahaveluna), sea resorts Manda Beach and Mahambu.

And in the ocean off the coast of the island lie Ilayntsambu Nosy (Nosy Akuhu), Ile-a-Pryun, Nosy Buraha (Sainte-Marie, or "Island of Women"), Madame, Ile-a-Nutt and others, are excellent beach resorts. Unique and complex nature in the vicinity of Cape St. Mary, where under the influence of strong winds, woody vegetation formed a thick carpet of ground horizontal interlocking million barrels.

Equally well Antungila Bay and Peninsula Masuala, which are concentrated in the most dense forests of Madagascar, considered one of the last primeval rainforests on the planet, Sambava and Antalaha - centers for the production of vanilla and spices, "a hunting paradise - Lake Ampahana, reserve and Marudzeli etc. To the south of Toamasina is the "water region" that surrounds the channel Pangalan - a whole system of rivers, lakes, wetlands and other water bodies, watercourses combined with the very channel. Relict rain forest inhabited by myriads of living inhabitants, covers this area is almost entirely that lets you organize regular ecological tours here.

Toliara
Toliara - a large port city on the shores of the Mozambique Channel, 950 km south-west of the capital. This is one of the sunniest and greenest cities in the country, built low-rise blocks with the original decor.

Here is an interesting museum culture of peoples of the Mahafaly and Sakalava, oceanographic station to the museum, the magnificent tombs of the monarchs in the Mahafaly Betioki, Ampanihi, Andruki and Ankirikiriki, the sacred fig tree in Miari, the sacred grotto Sarudranu the famous bay Anatsunu (St. Augustine) - "character" of many D. Defoe's novels, balneology resorts in Yifat and manga, as well as beautiful beaches and Batra Anakau. Also worth visiting Reserves Bezaha-Mahafaly, Berenti and Ambuasari.

Washed by the Mozambique Channel west coast of the country, stretching from the islands Radama the north to Cape Tanazuna-Vuhimena in the south, is the least affordable region of Madagascar - an endless string of sandy beaches, alternating with river deltas, swamps, rolling in the green mangroves, and rocky massifs. In the depths of the island leaving vast savannahs with single majestic baobabs and semi-arid bush. The climate here, as in the south, dry enough.

Mahajanga
Mahajanga is located at 560 km northwest of the capital, on the shores of the Mozambique Channel - one of the oldest cities in the country and the former royal capital violent. Today is the second largest port of Madagascar, and one of the largest shopping centers with interesting architecture, as well as one of the best resorts in the country.

The town is interesting to look at the buildings of the colonial era, the mosque and Arab trade stalls in the old town, two mosques in Mahabibu streets (of them here, nearly 20), the sacred hill Duani (it is the reliquary of four kings Lotta) Hospital Andruva, the old post office, The former governor's residence (today the municipality), the remnants of the royal fortress Rouvaen, huge baobab age of 500 years in front of a viewing platform, "graveyard of ships" in the old port, the museum Akiba, craft, Regional Center of Malagasy arts and crafts, colorful markets and Mahabibu Tsaramandruzu and entertainment quarters Manga and Anbuavualanana.

Reserve scurvy de Bemaraha (area of 152 hectares - the largest protected area of Madagascar) extends from the plateau to the river Bemaraha Manambulu. The reserve covers a range of karst rocks gray-blue color and the chain of peaks, oddly processed by wind and water, rising to a height of 30 m. The steep cliffs form a kind of wall, voznosyaschiesya Manambulu over the river valley to a height of more than 400 m. In the southern part of the array of deciduous forest extends to the central part of the limestone plateau of scurvy, the southern part of which ends with deep gorges dug river Manambulu, with canyons and caves. Within the reserve there is savanna, characteristic of western Madagascar.

Murundava
In Murundave (700 km from the capital) are noteworthy market, a mosque, the beaches in Bethany, Buzi and Ankevu, relict forests Andranumena, Manambi and Swiss Forest in Kirindi. Near Murundavy is a limestone massif, is listed in the UNESCO World Heritage List, as well as the baobab forests.

Here on the coast stretches a whole series of coral reefs and magnificent lagoons with amazing underwater world. To the south of Mayntiranu sea scattered chain of isolated islands of Nosy Andruta, Nosy Lava, Nosy-Maru and other, surrounded by beautiful coral reefs.

North is a huge volcanic massif Tsaratanana with the highest peaks of Madagascar. This is a real "land of contrasts - nature and vegetation differ dramatically even in nearby locations.