Introduction
In the central highlands of the large island-nation of Madagascar stands the national capital, Antananarivo. For hundreds of years, the city has been a government center for the people of Madagascar—the Malagasy—and its several historic buildings recall that long tradition. The city, which is nicknamed “Tana,” was formerly known as Tananarive.
Places of interest
Steep streets and steps lead upward to a rocky ridge 4,694 feet (1,431 meters) high, where historic palaces and mausoleums stand. Elsewhere in the city the Tsimbazaza botanical garden and zoo is popular among visitors, and on Fridays the bustling Zoma market is an impressive sight. Other notable buildings include the Anglican and Roman Catholic cathedrals and the National Library. The University of Madagascar opened there in 1961. The city also has research institutes and an observatory. Many people drive outside of the capital to see Ambohimanga, a spectacular old palace complex, and scenic Lake Mantasoa.
Economy
Many people in Antananarivo work for the national government. Commercial activity includes banking and business services. Factories in Antananarivo process tobacco, foods, leather, and clothing. An airport and railroads connect the city with the nation's chief port, Toamasina, and with other towns. In the surrounding countryside, rice, vegetables, and fruits are grown.
History
Antananarivo began as a fortress town in the 1600s. It became the capital of the Merina kingdom in the 1700s. In 1895 French troops occupied the town, and within ten years the French controlled most of the island. They built roads and a railroad between Antananarivo and the port of Tamatave. The French also changed the cultural life of the city, making it more Westernized, or European. The great majority of products that came into the capital were made in France, and by the 1940s most of the people were converted to the Christian religion.
In 1958 the Malagasy people voted for independence from France. The Malagasy Republic was proclaimed, with its capital at Antananarivo. The city grew quickly in the late 1900s. In 1980 it had about 600,000 people, meaning that one out of every 16 people in Madagascar lived there. Population (1993 census), 1,103,304.
