Antsiranana

Antsiranana, also known as Diego-Suarez before 1975, is a city in the far north of Madagascar. It is the capital of the Diana Region. In 2013, about 115,015 people lived there. Antsiranana is an important city in northern Madagascar and helps us learn about the country's geography and culture.

History

In the early 1500s, a Portuguese sailor named Diogo Dias was the first European to see Madagascar. He named it the Isle of Saint Lawrence. Later, the area was named Diego Suarez after two Portuguese explorers.

In the 1880s, France wanted the bay as a stop for their ships. After an agreement with Madagascar, France set up a settlement there. People from nearby islands and runaway slaves moved to the area. By 1900, a railway was built, and in 1942, the area was important during World War II when Allied forces took control of Madagascar to keep it safe from Japan.

Postage stamps

Main article: Postage stamps and postal history of Diego-Suárez

This part talks about the stamps used for sending letters in Antsiranana. The city was called Diego-Suarez before 1975. It has an interesting story about how people sent messages through the mail.

Education

The University of Antsiranana started in 1976.

There is a French international school in Antsiranana called Lycée Français Diego Suarez. It was once called the Collège français Sadi Carnot.

Transport

Antsiranana is on Antsiranana Bay, a big deep-water harbour in the Indian Ocean. But because it is far away and has poor roads to the south, it is not very important for moving goods. There is a cruise port that sometimes welcomes visitors.

Arrachart Airport helps connect Antsiranana to other parts of Madagascar.

Geography

Climate

Antsiranana has a tropical savannah climate (Aw). The weather is warm most of the year and has two seasons. From December to March, it is the wet season with more rain. For the rest of the year, it is the dry season, and rain is less common but can still happen.

Places of worship

In Antsiranana, most places of worship are Christian churches and temples. These include the FJKM – Fiangonan'i Jesoa Kristy eto Madagasikara (Church of Jesus Christ in Madagascar), FLM – Fiangonana Loterana Malagasy (Malagasy Lutheran Church), Assemblies of God, Fiangonara Batista Biblika (Baptist church), the Roman Catholic Diocese of Antsiranana (Catholic Church located in the Cathedral of St. Matthew), and the Church of the Province of the Indian Ocean (Anglican Church). There are also Muslim mosques.

Neighborhoods

Antsiranama has many neighborhoods. Some of these include Cap Diego, Place Bazary, Grand Pavois, and Avenir. Others are Lazaret Nord, Mangarivotra, Bazarikely, and Tanambao Nord. There are also places called Tanambao Tsena, Tanambao Sud, Tanambao III, and Tanambao IV. More neighborhoods are Tanambao V, Lazaret Sud, Mahatsara, and Soafeno. Additional areas are Cité Ouvrière, Ambohimitsinjo, Morafeno, and Manongalaza. Other neighborhoods include Ambalavola, SCAMA, Anamakia, and Tsaramandroso.