Antsirabe
Antsirabe is the third largest city in Madagascar and the capital of the Vakinankaratra region. The mostly Betsileo population of the city is approximately 183,000.
Antsirabe is an agricultural and industrial centre of Madagascar. Industries include brewing, flour, milk processing, oil, textiles and cigarette manufacturing. The city is the headquarters of Tiko and STAR Brewery. Agricultural produce include rice, vegetables and fruits and due to the cool climate, apples, pears, plums and other temperate fruit can be grown in the region.
At an altitude of about 1,500 metres, Antsirabe is the coolest city in Madagascar, with winter temperatures between May and September, usually dropping to zero degrees Celsius.
The city was founded in 1872 by Norwegian missionaries who were attracted by the cool climate and healing properties of the many thermal springs and minerals in the area. The city is often nicknamed the "Vichy Malgache" and the name Antsirabe literally means "the place of much salt".
There is an airfield but it is only in use by private planes. A railway connects with Antananarivo but is only used by freight trains. To reach Antsirabe by car coming from Antananarivo takes 3-4 hours.
Things to do in Antsirabe
- Visit the Saturday market (souvenir shopping)
- Sightseeing by rickshaw (Anstirable is the pousse-pousse capital of Madagasar)
- Visit the STAR Brewery (Tuesday to Thursday)
Antsirabe based tour operators
ORTVA (the regional tourist office)
Tel: +261 (0)32 0718642
Email etravel@wanadoo.mg
Roadhouse Voyages
Tel: +261 (0)44 49226
Email: roadhouse@simicro.mg
Website: www.simicro.mg/roadhouse
Attractions in the area surrounding Antsirabe
- Andraikiba lakes (7 km from Antsirabe)
- Tritriva (17km from Antsirabe)
- Spa Betafo (22km Antsirabe)
- Mount Ibity (2,255 metres, 30km south of Antsirabe)