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Ambanja is the heart of the Sambirano region, which comprises the area along the course of the Sambirano River, from the [[Tsaratanana Massif]] down to [[Ampasindava Bay]]. The climate of the region is tropical with regular, almost daily rainfall, providing ideal conditions for farming. The surroundings of Ambanja are characterised by many lush green cacao plantations. About 60% of the population live from farming, and the most important crop is cacao. Other important crops include vanilla, ylang-ylang, coffee, pepper and rice. One of the biggest largest cacao plantations in the area is the [[Millot Plantation]].

The town of Ambanja itself offers only a few attractions. Near the northern entrance of the town there is a big partially open-air fruit market, vegetable, meat, spice and just-about-everything marketplace. Along the town's main road a vast number of stalls are set up, selling sell second hand clothes, cooking equipment and other useful thingsutensils. At the other end of the town is a smaller, roof-covered fruit market (Bazar named Bazary Be. Bazary Be) just next to means large marketplace although it is the smaller of the two since it is the [[taxi-brousse]] stationfirst. The second, larger market, is further extended with stalls and traders every Friday. A few minutes walk from there Bazary Be a bridge leads over the wide crosses Sambirano River.

<HTML5video type="youtube">playlist?list=PL2PUMu_dznna95GXd69UKTm7RSaWi--Ks</HTML5video> [[File:Ambanja_052.jpg|600px]] [[File:Ambanja_053.jpg|600px]] [[File:Ambanja_054.jpg|600px]] Ambanja is best easily reached via Nosy Be, from where boats depart to [[Ankify|Ankify harbour]]. From Ankify it is about 18km to Ambanja. A drive by taxi-brousse from [[Antananarivo]] to Ambanja takes between 18 and 24 hoursor longer depending on the road condition. <!-- The car ride from Ambanja to [[Diego Suarez]] (Antsiranana) (240km) along the [[RN6]] takes between 3 and 4 hours. <!-- ??? There is a domestic airport but which is currently not served by [[Air Madagascar]] (March 2012). -->

== Excursions Tours ==

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