"In the central highlands" Faritanin' Antananarivo by Norali

Faritanin' Antananarivo Travel Guide: 393 reviews and 1,080 photos

Stalls of a resourceful Malagasy craftsman

Plains, tanety, massif

This little page to introduce Faritanin' Antananarivo and its cities.

Well, this province lies in the central highlands (700m-1500m altitude). It is the only one province of the island that does not have access to the sea. It is inhabited by Merina people ("those who live in the heights").

It comprehends capital city, Antananarivo as well as Antsirabe, Mantasoa. Both are areas that are dedicated to industry, Antsirabe for nowadays industry and Mantasoa had hosted past glories. See my pages on Antananarivo and Antsirabe cities. I even have a page on VT about the village where I live: it is Malaza. Malaza Avaradrano (: Malaza North Bank because located North of the Ikopa river).

Apart from that, there are those royal cities that played huge role in Merina and Madagascar histories. The most prestigious one is Ambohimanga. Click to view the page on this city that is located very close to my homeplace. Well, in fact, my village, Malaza, is part of Ambohimanga Rova municipality.

Landscapes are made of those: ricefields plains at the foot of rocky hills. The charm of Imerina region is not in the lush forest neither in desert and canyons. It is rather in mountains and hills (tanety), Ankaratra massif (2700m), plains, steppes, ricefields and the people.

What impresses me most, while tripping in the Highlands, is the view of lunar landscape in Andringitra massif. Mountains are huge and have those grey rocks and menhirs on their sides. See below Tlogues for that.

And rivers run through it! Ikopa is the biggest in Tana province.

Lakes and rivers are common to this area. Volcano lakes, sometimes, esp. in ntsirabe area. Beware of fady (interdicts) near some sacred lakes.

Red earth enclosure walls

Red earth enclosure walls, red brick-houses: Tana

Don't forget, red earth, red-earth-brick houses and enclosure walls.

Enclosure walls, tamboho use to protect hamlets, smallers properties from assaulters.

Hills and earth cracks

Hills and cracks

Highlands are made of those too. At the bottom of cracks run rivers sometimes. Small "villages" of few houses are located in there as well.

This province is the most populated in Madagascar though, outside cities like Tana, Antsirabe, Mantasoa and Ambatolampy, it is quite empty.

Pros and Cons

Pros:Amazing landscape, not sticky hot, good culinary trip
Cons:...
In a nutshell:A perfect region for roadtrips: plains alternate with hills

Last visit to Faritanin' Antananarivo: Mar 2005
Intro Updated Mar 10, 2006
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Reviews (28)

Used to roll discus to open/close royal city gate - Faritanin' Antananarivo

Ambohimanga Royal Hill, UNESCO World... Things to Do (5)

Since this is the main reason, for many, to visit Ambohimanga, how couldn't I talk about one of the two World Heritage... more travel advice

Typical Sight while walking on Mangabe crest - Faritanin' Antananarivo

Ambohimanga surroundings to fill days! Things to Do (5)

A shame that the royal compound uses to be the only spot locals & most tourists visit. As a local living just 3 miles... more travel advice

Aerial, a fave of mine ! - Faritanin' Antananarivo

Views from Mangabe hill Off The Beaten Path (3)

Views, yes. 360°, check. Aerial, check. Scenic, check. "King of the world feeling", check. But first, the climb. Short... more travel advice

Stars, Moon, Sun: doany dedicated to a astrologer - Faritanin' Antananarivo

Mangabe - the "doany experience" to have Off The Beaten Path (3)

I must have a special connection with this hill. The first hill ever (Ambohimanga apart) I managed to reach the summit... more travel advice

Local Customs (3)
See All Religion- Belief system
Favorites (5)
See All Trano Gasy: the traditional Merina house
Transportation (3)
See All Ghost cars, ox carts while taking a...
Sports & Outdoors (2)
See All Biking
Tourist Traps (2)
See All Taxi-brousses are not a miracle-...

Nightlife (1)
Beware of lonegoers women
Restaurants (2)
See All Eating in Tana, Antsirabe
Hotels (1)
URLs to book hotels
Shopping (1)
Wood cars, trucks...
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Travelogues (5)

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Comments (18)

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Tinarami Aug 24, 2007 at 1:30 PM

hello ! je crois que je n'ai jamais lu autant de textes in english que ces derniers jours.It's difficult but..I progress..;-) I'm curious : who is R. & who is E. :-)
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cadzand Jul 5, 2007 at 2:43 AM

Great things happen at parties...
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cokes May 15, 2007 at 9:23 PM

This is really great. I love the Dragonfly pic and the rice fields. You talk about touching it , I had to play with 3 of them...very naughty tigers.
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najjia Dec 30, 2006 at 2:03 AM

amazing read. i really enjoyed reading about famadihana. for some reason, i really identify with what u said. in my heart i feel that there is indeed a connection between the 'afterlife' and our living world. thank you so much for your article. :)
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Loubna Nov 14, 2005 at 10:08 AM

I just leanrt a great deal about Famadihana, thank you it was really well done!
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JLBG Nov 12, 2004 at 2:46 AM

Excellent page with extensive practical tips. I will print a copy to read it more carefully and use it when I will go to Madagascar. Thank you Norali !
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Jim_Eliason Aug 8, 2004 at 2:25 PM

Nice page!
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Goldenboy Jul 26, 2004 at 1:56 PM

yes, for sure, i wondering how u get all those pics. i dont have pics of mine in indonesia before... all gone... how are u, norali :)
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deecat Feb 27, 2004 at 10:03 AM

Outstanding work with tons of information. Especially interesting were the customs, the restaurants, the wooden cars and trucks (toy) for sale, and the red dirt abundance.
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johnsakura Dec 17, 2003 at 12:16 PM

i there gabrielle! I love Madagascar. Antananarivo is a wonderful place, right in the middle of the mountains. interesting. love the pictures.