Antsirabe

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title: "Antsirabe" type: doc version: 1 created: 2026-02-28 author: "Wikipedia contributors" status: active scope: public tags: ["cities-in-madagascar", "populated-places-in-vakinankaratra", "regional-capitals-in-madagascar"] topic_path: "geography" source: "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Antsirabe" license: "CC BY-SA 4.0" wikipedia_page_id: 0 wikipedia_revision_id: 0

::data[format=table title="Infobox settlement"]

FieldValue
nameAntsirabe
native_name_lang
settlement_type
image_skylineAntsirabe_-_rue_principale02.JPG
imagesize240px
image_captionPousse-pousses in central Antsirabe
image_shieldAntsirabe.png
shield_size100px
pushpin_mapMadagascar
pushpin_label_positionbottom
pushpin_label
pushpin_mapsize180
pushpin_map_captionLocation of Antsirabe in Madagascar
coordinates
coor_pinpoint
coordinates_footnotestags --
subdivision_typeCountry
subdivision_name
subdivision_type1Region
subdivision_name1Vakinankaratra
subdivision_type2District
subdivision_name2Antsirabe I District
established_titleFounded
established_date1872
established_title1
established_title2
seat_type
parts_type
parts_style
parts
p2
government_footnotestags --
leader_titleMayor
leader_nameHonoré Gabriel Rasaminmanana
leader_name1
total_type
unit_pref
area_footnotestags --
area_magnitude
area_total_km2180
elevation_footnotestags --
elevation_m1500
elevation_max_footnotestags --
elevation_min_footnotestags --
population_footnotestags --
population_total265018
population_as_of2018 census
population_density_km2auto
population_demonym
postal_code_type
postal_code110
postal2_code_type
area_code_type
twin2_country
blank_nameClimate
blank_infoCwb
::

| name = Antsirabe | official_name = | native_name_lang = | other_name = | settlement_type = | image_skyline = Antsirabe_-_rue_principale02.JPG | imagesize = 240px | image_alt = | image_caption = Pousse-pousses in central Antsirabe | image_flag = | flag_size = | flag_alt = | flag_link = | image_seal = | seal_size = | seal_alt = | seal_link = | image_shield = Antsirabe.png | shield_size = 100px | shield_alt = | shield_link = | nickname = | motto = | anthem = | image_map = | mapsize = | map_alt = | map_caption = | pushpin_map = Madagascar | pushpin_label_position =bottom | pushpin_label = | pushpin_map_alt = | pushpin_mapsize = 180 | pushpin_map_caption = Location of Antsirabe in Madagascar | coordinates = | coor_pinpoint = | coordinates_footnotes = tags -- |subdivision_type = Country |subdivision_name = |subdivision_type1 = Region |subdivision_name1 = Vakinankaratra |subdivision_type2 = District |subdivision_name2 = Antsirabe I District |subdivision_type3 = |subdivision_name3 = |subdivision_type4 = |subdivision_name4 = | established_title = Founded | established_date = 1872 | established_title1 = | established_date1 = | established_title2 = | established_date2 = | established_title3 = | established_date3 = | extinct_title = | extinct_date = | founder = | named_for = | seat_type = | seat = | parts_type = | parts_style = | parts = | p1 = | p2 = | government_footnotes = tags -- | government_type = | governing_body = | leader_party = | leader_title = Mayor | leader_name = Honoré Gabriel Rasaminmanana | leader_title1 = | leader_name1 = | total_type = | unit_pref = | area_footnotes = tags -- | area_magnitude = | area_total_km2 = 180 | area_land_km2 = | area_water_km2 = | elevation_footnotes = tags -- | elevation_m =1500 | elevation_max_footnotes = tags -- | elevation_max_m = | elevation_min_footnotes = tags -- | elevation_min_m = | population_footnotes = tags -- | population_total = 265018 | population_as_of = 2018 census | population_rank = | population_density_km2 = auto | population_demonym = | population_note = | timezone1 = | utc_offset1 = | timezone1_DST = | utc_offset1_DST = | postal_code_type = | postal_code = 110 | postal2_code_type = | postal2_code = | area_code_type = | area_code = | geocode = | iso_code = | registration_plate = | twin1 = | twin1_country = | twin2 = | twin2_country = | blank_name = Climate | blank_info = Cwb | website = | footnotes =

Antsirabe (), also known as Ville d'eau ( 'City of water' in French), is the third-largest city in Madagascar and the capital of the Vakinankaratra region, with a population of 265,018 in 2014. In Madagascar, Antsirabe is known for its relatively cool climate (like the rest of the central region), its industry and the high concentration of pulled rickshaws or pousse-pousses. It attracts around 30,000 tourists a year.

Etymology and names

The Malagasy name Antsirabe literally means "the place of much salt".

The city has the nicknames ville d'eau ('city of water' in French) and visy gasy or le Vichy malgache ('the Malagasy Vichy' in Malagasy and French respectively), referring to the presence of multiple thermal springs in the area.

History

The area where Antsirabe is found today was part of the Kingdom of Andrantsay which existed from the early 1600s until it was incorporated into the Imerina kingdom in the early 1800s. The area was a farming region, with production of rice, vegetables and fruit.

The first Norwegian (Lutheran) missionaries arrived in 1868. Limestone and sulphur were exploited in the area at this time.

The city was founded by Norwegian missionary T.G. Rosaas in 1872 as a hill station to serve as a retreat centre because of the much cooler climate. The thermal baths were opened in 1917.

In 1886 the Norwegian mission established the leper hospital of Ambohipiantrana and it quickly developed into a village for lepers. The colonial government decided to make it the leper hospital of Vakinankaratra and the around 950 people with the illness lived there in 1904.

During the French colonial rule the centre of the Vakinankaratra region shifted from the Andrantsay capital of Fivavahana to Antsirabe.

In 1921 it succeeded Betafo as the seat of a Catholic (pre-diocesan) Apostolic vicariate, and was promoted to a bishopric in 1955.

Population

Languages

The majority of the population belongs to the Merina ethnic group, which speaks a highland dialect of Malagasy. As in other urban areas of Madagascar, French is widely understood.

Places of worship

::figure[src="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/d/d9/Antsirabe_-_église.JPG" caption="Our Lady of La Salette Cathedral"] ::

The places of worship, are predominantly Christian churches and temples:

There are also Muslim mosques.

Government

::figure[src="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/b/bc/Antsirabe_-Grande_Avenue_with_station_building.jpg" caption="Antsirabe – Grande Avenue with station building"] ::

The mayor of Antsirabe is Honoré Gabriel Rasamimanana since 2020.

Architecture

::figure[src="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/b/bb/Antsirabe_-_hôtel_des_Thermes.JPG" caption="Hôtel des Thermes"] ::

Several buildings in central Antsirabe date back to the first decades of the 20th century. These include the thermal bath centre (opened in 1917), Hôtel des Thermes (1922), the railway station (1923), and the residence for French retirees (1934).

Other sights are la Stèle de l'Indépendance (the Stele of Independence) on Independence Avenue and the two public markets: Antsenakely ("The Small Market") and the bigger Asabotsy.

Geography and climate

::figure[src="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/5/59/Lake_Tritriva_01.jpg" caption="Lake Tritriva"] ::

Antsirabe is situated at an altitude of about 1500 m, making its subtropical highland climate (Köppen: Cwb), similar to Brazilian high cities of the southeast. During the winter the temperature can fall below 0 C at night, and Antsirabe has recorded the lowest temperature in Madagascar at -1.0 C.

May to September form the coldest and driest part of the year with average monthly temperatures between 14 C and 17 C and an average number of days with precipitation per month of 1–2. From November to March the climate is warmer and wetter with on average 12 to 17 days with precipitation per month and average temperature of approximately 20 C. April and October have average temperatures of 19.2 C and 18.5 C respectively and 5–6 days of rain.

The Ankaratra volcanic field covers an area about 100 km long from Antsirabe northwards to Arivonimamo where highest peak reaches 2644 m. This volcanic field is "the most prominent and volcanologically diverse (sic) on Madagascar". Several water-filled craters are found in the area around Antsirabe, including Lake Tritriva to the south-west. There are hot springs which are utilised by the Ranomafana thermal bath in the city.

|metric first=yes |single line=yes |location=Antsirabe (1991–2020) |Jan record high C = 31.2 |Feb record high C = 31.0 |Mar record high C = 29.8 |Apr record high C = 30.2 |May record high C = 28.4 |Jun record high C = 29.9 |Jul record high C = 28.7 |Aug record high C = 31.6 |Sep record high C = 32.4 |Oct record high C = 32.7 |Nov record high C = 33.0 |Dec record high C = 31.4

|Jan high C=24.9 |Feb high C=25.1 |Mar high C=25.1 |Apr high C=24.3 |May high C=22.7 |Jun high C=20.9 |Jul high C=20.6 |Aug high C=22.4 |Sep high C=24.8 |Oct high C=26.4 |Nov high C=26.4 |Dec high C=25.7 |year high C = 24.1

|Jan mean C=20.1 |Feb mean C=20.2 |Mar mean C=19.8 |Apr mean C=18.4 |May mean C=16.4 |Jun mean C=14.2 |Jul mean C=13.7 |Aug mean C=14.7 |Sep mean C=16.5 |Oct mean C=18.7 |Nov mean C=19.9 |Dec mean C=20.3 |year mean C=17.7

|Jan low C=15.3 |Feb low C=15.3 |Mar low C=14.5 |Apr low C=12.5 |May low C=9.9 |Jun low C=7.5 |Jul low C=6.7 |Aug low C=7.0 |Sep low C=8.0 |Oct low C=10.9 |Nov low C=13.2 |Dec low C=14.7 |year low C=11.3

|Jan record low C = 7.9 |Feb record low C = 9.2 |Mar record low C = 6.9 |Apr record low C = 3.2 |May record low C = 0.7 |Jun record low C = -1.1 |Jul record low C = -0.2 |Aug record low C = -0.4 |Sep record low C = -1.1 |Oct record low C = 1.1 |Nov record low C = 5.0 |Dec record low C = 8.3

|precipitation colour=green |Jan precipitation mm=297.8 |Feb precipitation mm=228.8 |Mar precipitation mm=160.3 |Apr precipitation mm=67.7 |May precipitation mm=24.0 |Jun precipitation mm=8.0 |Jul precipitation mm=10.5 |Aug precipitation mm=6.1 |Sep precipitation mm=7.4 |Oct precipitation mm=71.2 |Nov precipitation mm=144.3 |Dec precipitation mm=220.6 |year precipitation mm = 1246.7

|unit precipitation days = 1.0 mm |Jan precipitation days = 18.5 |Feb precipitation days = 15.7 |Mar precipitation days = 13.2 |Apr precipitation days = 7.0 |May precipitation days = 3.4 |Jun precipitation days = 2.1 |Jul precipitation days = 2.0 |Aug precipitation days = 1.5 |Sep precipitation days = 1.4 |Oct precipitation days = 7.1 |Nov precipitation days = 11.7 |Dec precipitation days = 16.1 |year precipitation days = 99.7 | source 1 = NOAA{{cite web | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20230923234825/https://www.nodc.noaa.gov/archive/arc0216/0253808/1.1/data/0-data/Region-1-WMO-Normals-9120/Madagascar/CSV/ANTSIRABE_67107.csv | archive-date = 23 September 2023 | url = https://www.nodc.noaa.gov/archive/arc0216/0253808/1.1/data/0-data/Region-1-WMO-Normals-9120/Madagascar/CSV/ANTSIRABE_67107.csv | title = Antsirabe Climate Normals 1991–2020 | work = World Meteorological Organization Climatological Standard Normals (1991–2020) | publisher = National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration | access-date = 23 September 2023}}

Bodies of water

Economy

::figure[src="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/b/b5/AntsirabeRikscha.jpg" caption="Cyclo-pousse, Rue Joffre"] ::

Textile (COTONA, Cottonline, Aquarelle), Beverages (Star Brasseries, Malto), Food industry (Socolait, Tsarafy), Tobacco (SACIMEM), Mineral water (Sté. des Eaux Minerales, Ranovisy), soap production (Soba).

An Export Processing Zone is located in Antsirabe and the town is the home of several factories, including Star Brasseries (beverages), Cotona (textiles) and Kobama (grain).

Antsirabe is also the major apple producing town of Madagascar, with some 10,000 tons produced per year.

Infrastructure

::figure[src="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/c/ca/Antsirabe_station.jpg" caption="Train station"] ::

The city is at the end of the TA (Tananarive-Antsirabe) railway line, part of the Network North railway, which links Antsirabe to the capital and the port city of Toamasina. The line is operated by Madarail, currently only with freight trains. The line has been extended southwards through Vinaninkarena, but this extension is not in use.

National road 7 (RN7) connects the city to Antananarivo in the north and to Fianarantsoa and Toliara to the south. Antsirabe is connected with Morondava on the west coast through RN34 and RN 35.

Public transport to and from Antsirabe are provided by taxi-brousses (share taxis) and buses. Most taxi-brousses operate from the main bus station in the north of the city.

Within the city public transport consists of small buses and numerous pulled rickshaws ("pousse-pousse"), as well as cycle rickshaw ("cyclo-pousse"), auto rickshaw ("touktouks") and private taxis. The pousse-pousse is something of an emblem of the city; 5600 of them were recorded in 2006.

There is also an airport.

Neighbourhoods

Sports

::figure[src="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/e/e9/AntsirabeFußball.jpg" caption="Soccer match in the city centre"] ::

Football:

Basketball:

Education

The Institute of Higher Education of Antsirabe Vakinankaratra is the regional branch of the University of Antananarivo.

Museums

The Military Academy of Antsirabe hosts the Akamia museum, a military museum.

Twin cities

Antsirabe is twinned with:

Antsirabe has collaborations with:

Notable locals

References

References

  1. "Region Vakinankaratra".
  2. "Votre voyage à Antsirabe à Madagascar [Your trip to Antsirabe in Madagascar]". MTTC.
  3. Misy Info. "Site communautaire d'information touristique: Un peu d'histoire".
  4. [https://globalparliamentofmayors.org/the-gpm-welcomes-mayor-honore-gabriel-rasamimanana-of-antsirabe-madagascar/ GPM welcomes Mayor Honoré Gabriel Rasamimanana]
  5. "Climate: Antsirabe – Climate graph, Temperature graph, Climate table". Climate-Data.org.
  6. (2019). "Madagascar Initial National Communication". Le Ministre de l’Environnement, des Eaux et des Forets.
  7. yr.no. "Weather statistics for Antsirabe, Antananarivo (Madagascar)".
  8. "Ankaratra Field". Global Volcanism Program.
  9. "Region Vakinankaratra".
  10. [https://www.lexpress.mg/2024/01/industrialisation-la-vitesse-de-pointe.html l'Express: Industrialisation: la vitesse de pointe]
  11. Misy Info. "Site communautaire d'information touristique: Venir à Antsirabe".
  12. Misy Info. "Site communautaire d'information touristique: Les Pousse-pousse".
  13. Municipality of Vacoas / Phoenix. "Salient Features of the Town".
  14. [http://www.lamontagne.fr/editions_locales/montlucon/les_villes_jumelles_se_font_une_place_sur_les_panneaux@CARGNjFdJSsBFxoBCxg-.html « Montluçon, les villes jumelles se font une place sur les panneaux », ''lamontagne.fr'', 28 October 2010] {{webarchive. link. (31 October 2010)
  15. [http://www.lamontagne.fr/editions_locales/montlucon/les_villes_jumelles_se_font_une_place_sur_les_panneaux@CARGNjFdJSsBFxoBCxg-.html « Antsirabe... Sous le signe de la féminité ... », ''madagate.com'', 6 August 2008] {{webarchive. link. (31 October 2010)
  16. (May 2016)
  17. "Madagascar: Antsirabe coopère avec Stavanger".

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