Lake Anosy

Lake Anosy in the centre of Antananarivo was originally a swamp. In 1830 an artificial lake was created from and an islet was constructed in the middle to establish a blacksmith workshop in a location that would minimise the risk of fire caused by this occupation an area where wood and tached roofs were commonplace.

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In later years the island was used to store explosive powder, which could also pose a risk of fire in the city where houses were mostly built by wood. Today, the island is a monument to commemorate victims of World War I, in which many Malagasy people died while fighting on the front line for France. A small fee to enter the island applies, with a slightly higher price for foreign tourists than for locals.