Changes

Jump to: navigation, search

Canal des Pangalanes

29 bytes removed, 20:29, 17 May 2016
no edit summary
The canal was constructed under the governance of General Joseph Gallieni during the early French colonial years of 1896-1904. It was designed to facilitate transportation of goods to the main trading port of Tamatave, because shipping on the Indian Ocean was too dangerous.
 
[[File:Pangalanes 001.jpg]]
The canal still dominates daily life in this region as it provides the main source of trade, transport and travel. Cruising by boat on the calm waters of Pangalanes is a fascinating journey through time and history. Many traditional Betsimisaraka villages can be seen along the banks, as well as pirogues, local fishermen, rafts with straw huts carrying timber en-route Tamatave, as it has been done since early colonial times. Over-croweded ferries have funny names such as "Great Hopes" and "Malagasy Fish". Villagers wave and shout at the passing boats and fishermen yell from the other bank asking you if you spent a good night!
Along the many islets and waterbanks there are plenty of Mangroves and other aquatic vegetation such as Typhonodorum, Carex, Cyperus, Pandanus, Fimbristylis, Melaleuca and Scirpus, and to a lesser extent Nymphaea and Najas water-lilies. There are also Casuarina, Cocos, Eucalyptus, Raphia and Musa plantations.

Navigation menu