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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 <!--(IATA code: ATJ)--> 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.