Antananarivo

Antananarivo, also known by its short name Tana, is the capital and largest city of Madagascar. It sits very high above sea level, making it the highest capital city among all the island countries. Many important buildings are located here, such as the Presidency, National Assembly, Senate, and Supreme Court. It is also home to many businesses, universities, and medical services.

The city has a long history, originally serving as the capital of the Merina people. It was founded around the year 1610 by King Andrianjaka, who built a royal palace there. Over time, Antananarivo grew to become a major center for culture, politics, and daily life in Madagascar. Today, it faces challenges with traffic, waste, and managing its growing population. Despite these issues, the city remains full of historic sites, such as royal palaces, churches, and Tsimbazaza Zoo.

Pronunciation and etymology

Pronunciation

Antananarivo is pronounced differently depending on the language. In Malagasy, it sounds like [antananaˈrivʷ]. In English, you might say it as AN-tə-NAN-ə-REE-voh or AHN-tə-NAH-nə-REE-voh. The old French name, Tananarive, is pronounced tə-NAN-ə-REEV or TAN-ə-nə-REEV in English.

Etymology

Antananarivo started as a place called Analamanga, which means "Blue Forest" in the language of the Central Highlands Malagasy people. It was first home to the Vazimba, who were the first people on the island. Later, a Merina king named Andrianjaka moved there from the southeast coast and made it his capital. He sent 1,000 soldiers to protect the place. The city kept the name Analamanga until another king, Andriamasinavalona, changed it to Antananarivo, meaning "City of the Thousand," to honor Andrianjaka's soldiers.

History

See also: Timeline of Antananarivo

Kingdom of Imerina

Antananarivo was an important city even before colonial times. The city began around 1610 or 1625 when a king named Andrianjaka chose a spot on a tall hill to build his royal home, called a rova. Over time, this area grew to include royal palaces and tombs. The kings used community work to build fields and canals to grow rice for everyone.

Many kings ruled from Antananarivo. One king named Andriamasinavalona gave the city its name and created a public square where kings would speak to the people. He also divided the city into areas for nobles and commoners. After his death in 1710, the kingdom split into four parts, but was later reunited by another king, Andrianampoinimerina, in 1793. He made Antananarivo the capital again and created a big market area.

Kingdom of Madagascar

By 1810, when King Radama I took over, Antananarivo was the largest city on the island, with over 80,000 people. Radama welcomed European visitors who helped start schools and new industries. He also built a training area for soldiers.

Radama’s successor, Queen Ranavalona I, brought in a craftsman to build important tombs and palaces. She also improved the city’s roads and buildings. Later, Queen Ranavalona II allowed people to build houses with stone and brick, which became common in the city.

For much of the 1800s, Antananarivo stayed centered around the royal palace. As the city grew, it spread to new areas. New schools, hospitals, and other buildings were constructed during this time.

French Madagascar

In 1894, French soldiers came to Antananarivo and made it the capital of their colony, calling it Tananarive. They built tunnels, roads, and brought in water from a river. The city grew quickly, with new neighborhoods and planned areas.

After World War II, the city grew even faster. New roads, an airport, and a university were built. Floods in 1959 led to new buildings and drainage systems.

Post-independence

After Madagascar became independent in 1960, Antananarivo kept growing. By the end of the 20th century, the city had over 1 million people, and by 2013, nearly 2.1 million. The city now faces challenges like traffic and clean water. There are many churches, and Antananarivo is an important place for the Roman Catholic Church on the island. The city has also seen big public events and, in 2022, serious floods that damaged many homes.

Geography

Antananarivo is found in the Central Highlands of Madagascar. It sits very high above sea level, at about 1,280 meters or 4,199 feet. The city is in the middle of the country, about 160 kilometers from the east coast and 330 kilometers from the west coast. It is built on a long, narrow ridge that stretches north and south for about 4 kilometers.

The city covers around 86.4 square kilometers. It began on a high point where three hills meet, and then grew to cover the surrounding hillsides. In the rainy season, the flat areas near the base of the hills can flood. A river called the Ikopa runs near the city, helping to drain water away.

Climate

Antananarivo has a mild climate with warm, rainy summers and cooler, dry winters. Most of the rain falls between November and April. Temperatures usually stay comfortable, ranging from about 15.6 °C in July to 22.1 °C in December. Frost is rare in the city but can happen at higher elevations.

Cityscape

Antananarivo has three ridges that meet at the highest point. At the top is the Manjakamiadana royal palace, which can be seen from everywhere in the city. After a fire in 1995, only the stone walls of the palace remained, but it has since been restored and lit up at night. The city has many colorful old houses and churches, with newer buildings and rice fields in lower areas.

The city's neighborhoods have historic roots. Some areas were for noble families close to the palace, while others were for common people. Today, some parts are very fancy, while others are busy with shops and homes. The main market started long ago and was once very big, but it was moved to different places. The city has many important buildings and areas, including old tunnels and special neighborhoods built around lakes. Some parts of the city have many problems like fires and flooding.

Architecture

Before the 1800s, houses in Antananarivo were made from wood and grass. Stone was only used for tombs. Later, stone and brick were introduced, and the royal palace was encased in stone. Many rich families built homes inspired by British designs, called trano gasy. Today, the city works hard to protect its old buildings and history, with special plans to save important places and teach people about preservation. Some old buildings from the 1800s have been fixed up and restored.

Demographics

Antananarivo has been the largest city on the island since at least the late 1700s. In 1810, the population was around 80,000, but it dropped sharply between 1829 and 1842 because of war, hard rules, and disease. By the late 1990s, the area around the city had about 1.4 million people, and in 2018, the city itself had over 1.2 million people, with nearly 2.3 million including the suburbs.

The city is home to the Merina people, who make up about 24 percent of Madagascar's population. Because Antananarivo is important for politics, culture, and trade, people from all over the island and beyond live there. Many older people return to their family villages when they retire.

Crime

Since 2009, crime in Antananarivo has gotten worse. There are not enough police officers to keep everyone safe. Some areas of the city still lack good lighting at night. Recently, more private security companies have started working in the city to help keep people safe. The Antanimora Prison in the city is often crowded with many more people than it can hold.

Main article: Antanimora Prison

Economy

Agriculture is very important in Madagascar, with people growing rice and other crops, raising animals like zebu, and making things like bricks. In Antananarivo, many jobs are in industries such as making soap, processing food and tobacco, brewing, textiles, and leather. The city has good infrastructure and is a key place for businesses.

Economic changes have affected Antananarivo a lot. In the past, some policies made life harder for many people, while a few became very wealthy. Today, many families still struggle. Not all homes have electricity or running water, and some must share public facilities. Most people cook with charcoal, and spending on food takes up a big part of their budget.

Culture

In Antananarivo and the surrounding highlands, families practice a special ceremony called famadihana. This happens five to seven years after a loved one passes away. During the ceremony, families carefully wrap the person’s remains in new silk cloths and celebrate with music, dancing, and feasting. It is an important and joyful event for families, even though it can be expensive.

The city has many historic sites and museums. The Rova of Antananarivo stands out in the skyline. Nearby, the Andafiavaratra Palace has a museum with treasures from the Kingdom of Imerina. Andohalo square was where kings and queens once spoke to crowds. The Tsimbazaza Zoo shows unique animals from the island, including a skeleton of the extinct elephant bird. Other landmarks include old churches, markets, and the Museum of Art and Archaeology, which tells the story of Madagascar’s many cultures.

Antananarivo has a lively arts scene. The city has many places to enjoy music, dancing, and theater. Outdoor concerts happen in dry weather at places like Antsahamanitra amphitheater. Traditional Malagasy performances are popular at theaters such as Isotry and the outdoor cheminots theater. The Palais des Sports, built in 1995 with help from the Government of China, hosts many events. While there are no big classical music venues, cultural centers funded by other countries offer a range of performances. The city has two old cinemas, the Rex and the Ritz, which sometimes show local films.

Rugby is a popular sport in Madagascar, and the national team, called the Makis, is based in Antananarivo. They play at Maki Stadium, which was built in 2012 and can hold 15,000 people. Several soccer teams, including AS Adema and USCA Foot, play at Mahamasina Municipal Stadium, the largest sports venue in the country. The University of Antananarivo’s sports facilities hosted the official 2011 African Basketball Championship.

Places of worship

The main places of worship in Antananarivo are mostly Christian churches and temples. These include the Church of Jesus Christ in Madagascar, the Malagasy Lutheran Church, Assemblies of God, the Association of Bible Baptist Churches in Madagascar, and the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Antananarivo. There are also mosques for Muslims in the city.

Government

Antananarivo is the capital of Madagascar. Important government buildings like the Senate, National Assembly, and the Supreme Court are located there. Many countries also have their embassies in the city.

The city is managed by a special group chosen by the president. This group helps take care of the city's needs, but sometimes it’s hard for them to plan for the future because they change often. The city has faced money problems and has not always been able to pay for things like keeping the lights on. Leaders have tried to fix these issues, but it remains a challenge.

Twin towns and sister cities

Antananarivo has friendly partnerships with several cities around the world. These include Yerevan in Armenia, Vorkuta in Russia, Suzhou in China, and Montreal, Quebec in Canada. There was also a partnership with Nice in France, but it is no longer active. Recently, the city has been talking to Kota Kinabalu in Malaysia about becoming a partner city.

Education

Antananarivo is home to most of Madagascar’s universities, including the oldest one, the College of Medicine, and the University of Antananarivo. The city also has many schools, from small pre-primary classes to large secondary schools. There are several international schools, such as Lycée Français de Tananarive, Lycée La Clairefontaine, Lycée Peter Pan, the American School of Antananarivo, and a Russian school.

Antananarivo is also a place where many talented dancers learn their skills. The most famous dance school is K'art Antanimena, and there are other well-known schools like Le Club de Danse de l'[Université Catholique de Madagascar], Club de danse Kera arts'space à Antanimena, and Le Club Mills.

Health and sanitation

Antananarivo has better health care than other parts of Madagascar, with one of the country’s medical schools and many trained health workers. However, many people still cannot afford the cost of care or medicines, so many turn to traditional herbal treatments that are easy to find in local markets.

The city faces challenges with cleanliness and clean water because of its large population and crowded neighborhoods. Waste from homes and factories is not always handled properly, and dirty water can end up in the city’s rivers. Air pollution from cars and coal stoves is also getting worse. Even though there are clean water pumps, they are not enough and are often far from the poorest areas. Antananarivo is one of the places in Madagascar where a type of sickness called bubonic plague occurs naturally. Improvements were made during the time when Marc Ravalomanana was mayor, including better garbage collection, repairs to roads and markets, and new public gardens and restrooms in busy areas.

Transport

Most people in Antananarivo get around on foot. The city has a system of 2,400 private minibuses that follow 82 different routes. There are also about 2,000 more minibuses that go to nearby areas outside the city. Together, these minibuses carry around 700,000 passengers each day. However, many of these minibuses are crowded and do not always follow safety rules.

The city has a ring road around it and is connected to other places by major highways. These roads lead to cities like Mahajanga, Toliara, Antsirabe, Fianarantsoa, and Toamasina. Trains used to run from Antananarivo to Toamasina and Manakara, but they have not run since 2019. The main train station is in the center of the city. Ivato International Airport is about 15 kilometres (9 miles) from the city center. It is the main airport for the country and connects Antananarivo to other cities in Madagascar, South Africa, and Europe.

Media

Antananarivo has many places where people can watch TV and listen to the radio. Most families in the city own a radio, and they enjoy listening to music from different times and places. Some stations play traditional songs, while others mix modern styles from around the world. There are also news programs in several languages. About half of the people in Antananarivo own a TV. The city prints all the main newspapers and has good internet and phone services, even though sometimes they stop working for a little while. The national postal service and companies like FedEx, DHL Express, and United Parcel Service have offices in Antananarivo.

Notable people

Lucile Allorge, born in 1937, was a botanist.