Moramanga is a city (commune urbaine) in Madagascar. It is located in the region Alaotra-Mangoro and the Moramanga District. It has a population of 57084 inhabitants (2018).

Moramanga
Moramanga market
Moramanga market
Moramanga is located in Madagascar
Moramanga
Moramanga
Location in Madagascar
Coordinates: 18°56′49″S 48°13′49″E / 18.94694°S 48.23028°E / -18.94694; 48.23028
Country Madagascar
RegionAlaotra-Mangoro
DistrictMoramanga
Government
 • MayorEzechiel Rasolofonjatovo
Elevation
980 m (3,220 ft)
Population
 (2018)
 • Total57 084
Postal code
514
ClimateCwa
Moramanga

It is situated between the capital Antananarivo and the east coast on the crossroad of RN 2 and RN 44. The name of Moranmanga originates from the slave trade. To differ them from other social classes, they were dressed in blue or manga. As they were among the cheapest (mora) in Africa, it became Moramanga.[1]

Memorial of Malagasy Uprising (1947)
Grave of victims of Malagasy Uprising
Grave of victims of Malagasy Uprising

People edit

Moramanga is also the capital city of the Bezanozano people (one of the eighteen Ethnic groups of Madagascar).

Geography edit

Moramanga is situated on a plateau between the central highlands and the east coast.

Transports edit

 
Musée de la Gendarmerie
 
Main Street, Route nationale 2

The national road RN 2 connects the city with Antananarivo (115 km) and Toamasina (254 km), the Route nationale 44 to Ambatondrazaka (157 km), Imerimandroso and Amboavory.

The city is at the TCE (Tananarive-Côte Est) and the south end of the MLA (Moramanga-Lac Alaotra) railways, so it's the only railway junction in Madagascar (except for the capital).

Economy edit

  • The nickel and cobalt mine of Ambatovy is situated near this town.
  • Usine Militaire de Moramanga: Near Moramanga (Ambohibary) is situated the only armament factory of Madagascar.[2]

History edit

The city of Moramanga has an important place in the history of Madagascar. It was in Moramanga, on the night of the 29th of March 1947 that the Malagasy Uprising against French colonial rule started.

Sights edit

The Memorial dedicated to the victims of the Malagasy Uprising with many graves and wall paintings is worth a visit. The Musée de la Gendarmerie is in the city centre.

Religion edit

Education edit

Moramanga disposes of 167 primary schools, 17 secondary schools and 1 Lycée.[3]

Furthermore the superior school of the Gendarmerie (Ecole Supérieure de la Gendarmerie) is also situated at Moramanga.

Health edit

20 dispensaries and 1 hospital is found in the city. Furthermore 2 dentists.

Sports edit

Wildlife edit

Protected areas near Moramanga are:

The Peyrieras Reptile Reserve (a butterfly farm and reptile center) is at Marozevo, 40 km (25 mi) west of Moramanga on National Route NR2.

See also edit

References edit