Diana Region

Diana is a region located in the northern part of the island of Madagascar. It shares borders with the regions of Sava to the southeast and Sofia to the southwest. Spanning an area of 19,266 km², Diana had a population of 889,736 people in 2018. The main city and capital of the region is Antsiranana, which was previously called Diego Suarez.

Geography

The Diana region is in the northern part of Madagascar. It is bordered by the Sava region to the southeast and the Sofia region to the southwest. The region covers an area of 19,266 km² and had a population of 889,736 in 2018.

Rivers

The main rivers in the Diana region include:

• Besokatra River
• Irodo River
• Loky River
• Mahavavy River
• Ramena River
• Saharenana River
• Sambirano River

Protected areas and visitors' attractions

Diana has many beautiful protected areas and places to visit, such as:

• Ambodivahibe New Protected Area
• Andrafiamena Andavakoera New Protected Area
• Nosy Antsoha New Protected Area
• Ampasindava New Protected Area
• Galoko Kalobinono New Protected Area
• Oronjia New Protected Area
• Amber Mountain National Park
• Analamerana Reserve
• Ankarana Reserve
• Lokobe National Park
• Manongarivo Reserve
• Tsaratanana National Park
• Nosy Hara National Park
• Nosy Tanikely National Park
• Ambohitr'Antsingy (Montagne des Français) New Protected Area
• Ankarea New Protected Area
• Ankivonjy New Protected Area
• Part of COMATSA Avaratra New Protected Area
• Part of COMATSA Atsimo New Protected Area
• Tsingy Rouge

Administrative divisions

The Diana Region is split into five districts. Each district has many smaller areas called communes. Here are the districts and how many communes and people live in each one:

• Ambanja District has 18 communes and 190,435 people.
• Ambilobe District has 15 communes and 216,145 people.
• Antsiranana I District has 1 commune and 115,015 people, including the city of Antsiranana.
• Antsiranana II District has 16 communes and 105,416 people, covering the rural area around the city.
• Nosy Be District has 1 commune and 73,010 people, including the island of Nosy Be.

Transport

The Diana Region has several ways to travel. There are seaports in Antsiranana and Nosy Be. The region also has 2 regional airports: Antsiranana Airport and Nosy Be Airport, plus 2 local airports in Ambanja and Ambilobe.

Important roads cross the region. One paved road is Route Nationale 6, which runs from Antsiranana through Ambilobe and Ambanja. There is also an unpaved road called Route Nationale 5a from Ambilobe to Iharana, and another road named National road 59b connecting Antsiranana to Ramena.

Economy

Antsiranana is a key place for catching tuna, and there is a factory where tuna is canned. The area also catches shrimp and sea cucumber for export.

The main farming in the region includes growing rice, manioc, maize, beans, sweet potato, and potato for local use. Farmers also grow coffee, pepper, cacao, and vanilla to sell. Other crops like sugar cane, peanuts, and cotton are grown for industry. The region also produces essential oils such as ylang ylang, palmarosa, vetyver, and basil. Cattle, pigs, sheep, and goats are raised here too.

The area has mines where materials like lime, gold, sapphire, graphite, and many other useful minerals are found. One notable mine is the Ampasindava mine, which produces rare earth elements.