Difference between revisions of "Diego Suarez"
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| − | '''The town of Diego Suarez is located in the north of Madagascar in the world's largest natural bay with the picturesque [[Nosy Lonja]] (sugar loaf island) in the middle. Diego Suarez is named after the | + | '''The town of Diego Suarez is located in the north of Madagascar in the world's largest natural bay with the picturesque [[Nosy Lonja]] (sugar loaf island) in the middle. Diego Suarez is named after the Portuguese navigator Diogo Soares who came to the bay in the early 16th century. Unfortunately he was quite cruel and sold the locals into slavery.''' |
| − | Although since 1975 the | + | Although since 1975 the officinal name of the town is ''Antsiranana'', literally meaning "port" in Malagasy, many people still call it Diego Suarez. In 1885 the French Navy built a military base on location, giving the strategic importance of the deep-water harbour. During the second world war Diego Suarez was under the control of the Vichy French. In 1942 Britain and the Allies occupied Diego Suarez to prevent the Japanese warships and submarines entering the harbour. Hundreds of British soldiers fell in the Battle of Madagascar. Until 1973, Diego Suarez has served as a port to the French fleet of the Indian Ocean. |
Today Diego Suarez is Madagascar's 5th largest town and after the capital [[Antananarivo]] the most modern in terms of lifestyle, shops and entertainment. The locals are a vibrant mixture of Malagasy, Indians, Arabs, Creoles, Chinese and Comorians. Most tourists discover only Colbert Street, which is framed by large, colourful colonial brick buildings with verandas. Most hotels, restaurants, tour operators and handicraft shops can be found on this street. The area south of [[Place Foch]] is more Malagasy, with local stores, street markets and the big fruit and food market. | Today Diego Suarez is Madagascar's 5th largest town and after the capital [[Antananarivo]] the most modern in terms of lifestyle, shops and entertainment. The locals are a vibrant mixture of Malagasy, Indians, Arabs, Creoles, Chinese and Comorians. Most tourists discover only Colbert Street, which is framed by large, colourful colonial brick buildings with verandas. Most hotels, restaurants, tour operators and handicraft shops can be found on this street. The area south of [[Place Foch]] is more Malagasy, with local stores, street markets and the big fruit and food market. | ||
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| + | The climate around Diego Suarez is hot with seven months of dry weather a year. Almost all rain falls between end November and April. In those months the landscape turns from beige brown to lush green. Bird lovers will enjoy the dry season as more birds are visible then. | ||
<googlemap version="0.9" lat="-12.27346" lon="49.291105" zoom="15"> | <googlemap version="0.9" lat="-12.27346" lon="49.291105" zoom="15"> | ||
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* [[British war cemetery]]<br> | * [[British war cemetery]]<br> | ||
* [[French war cemetery]]<br> | * [[French war cemetery]]<br> | ||
| − | * [[Hôpital Be]] - hospital area with wonderful views over the bay<br><br> | + | * [[Hôpital Be]] - hospital area with wonderful views over the bay |
| + | * Diego Suarez Bay - Antsiranana Bay<br><br> | ||
== Day Exursions == | == Day Exursions == | ||
Revision as of 07:37, 18 November 2011
The town of Diego Suarez is located in the north of Madagascar in the world's largest natural bay with the picturesque Nosy Lonja (sugar loaf island) in the middle. Diego Suarez is named after the Portuguese navigator Diogo Soares who came to the bay in the early 16th century. Unfortunately he was quite cruel and sold the locals into slavery.
Although since 1975 the officinal name of the town is Antsiranana, literally meaning "port" in Malagasy, many people still call it Diego Suarez. In 1885 the French Navy built a military base on location, giving the strategic importance of the deep-water harbour. During the second world war Diego Suarez was under the control of the Vichy French. In 1942 Britain and the Allies occupied Diego Suarez to prevent the Japanese warships and submarines entering the harbour. Hundreds of British soldiers fell in the Battle of Madagascar. Until 1973, Diego Suarez has served as a port to the French fleet of the Indian Ocean.
Today Diego Suarez is Madagascar's 5th largest town and after the capital Antananarivo the most modern in terms of lifestyle, shops and entertainment. The locals are a vibrant mixture of Malagasy, Indians, Arabs, Creoles, Chinese and Comorians. Most tourists discover only Colbert Street, which is framed by large, colourful colonial brick buildings with verandas. Most hotels, restaurants, tour operators and handicraft shops can be found on this street. The area south of Place Foch is more Malagasy, with local stores, street markets and the big fruit and food market.
The climate around Diego Suarez is hot with seven months of dry weather a year. Almost all rain falls between end November and April. In those months the landscape turns from beige brown to lush green. Bird lovers will enjoy the dry season as more birds are visible then.
Contents
Places to visit
- Joffre Square
- Foch Square
- Marine Hotel
- Bazary Kely - market for fruit, vegetables, meat and everything else
- Bazary Be - Great Market Place
- Jacob Mosque
- British war cemetery
- French war cemetery
- Hôpital Be - hospital area with wonderful views over the bay
- Diego Suarez Bay - Antsiranana Bay
Day Exursions
The surroundings of Diego Suarez offer some of the most beautiful natural landscapes of Madagascar. For the active travelers their are plentiful opportunities for hiking, climbing, swimming, snorkelling, diving, kite-surfing, fishing, bicycling etc.
- Ramena Beach
- The Three Bays (Baie des Dunes, Baie des Pigeons and Sakalava Bay)
- Nosy Lonja / Sugarloaf Island
- Emerald Sea - Mer d'Emeraude
- Cap Diego
- Salt fields
- Montagne des Française
- Montagne d'Ambre National Park
- Tsingy of the Ankarana National Park
- Red Tsingy
- Courier Bay with Windsor Castle
Restaurants
La Capannina
Bar - Restaurant - Pizzeria
Le Balafomanga
Malagasy - Créole - Seafood
Internet Access
Accommodation
Kartiffa Hotel (14 rooms)
Tel: +261 (0)32 0418583 (mobile)
Email: toto@kikoohotel.com
Website: www.kikoohotel.com/kartiffa-hotel-diego-suarez.html
Grand Hotel
Tel: +261 (0)20 8223063
Email: grandhotel_diego@yahoo.fr
Website: www.grand-hotel-diego.com
Hotel de la Poste
Tel: +261 (0)32 0478575 (mobile)
Email: contact@diego-hoteldelaposte.com
Website: www.diego-hoteldelaposte.com
Video about Diego Suarez (French)
Photos
Bold text
