Mahajanga was a former province of Madagascar that had an area of 150,023 km. It had a population of 1,896,000 (2004). Its capital was Mahajanga , the second largest city in Madagascar.
11-421: Except for Fianarantsoa , Mahajanga Province bordered all of the country's other provinces– Antsiranana in the north, Toamasina in the east, Antananarivo in the southeast and Toliara in the southwest. Sea cucumbers were an important commercial product produced in the province. In 1999, cholera epidemic broke out in the province. It infected 380 people and claimed 26 lives. The epidemic spread towards
22-472: Is Ankarafantsika National Park. The national parks attract many tourists and served as an important economic advantage to the province. A Natural Science Center was created in Mahajanga in 1985. Rice, cotton, tobacco and manioc were the important agricultural products. The province offered limited opportunities for higher and technical education. The health related facilities are limited. Anemia in children
33-503: The capital the major towns were Andohapatsakana , Alakamisy, Fianarantsoa and Fanjakana . The province was home to four major national parks: Ranomafana National Park , Midongy Du Sud , Isalo National Park , and Andringitra . It was frequently referred by its abbreviated form of "Fianar". Fianarantsoa means "Good education". Fianarantsoa Province bordered the Toamasina Province in the north, Antananarivo Province in
44-424: The east coast of the province while Betsileo people lived in the southern parts of the province. Several shrew species like Microgale cowani , Microgale gracilis , Microgale gymnorhyncha , Microgale longicaudata , Microgale principula , Microgale pusilla , Microgale taiva and Microgale talazaci were endemic to the province. Many snake species were also endemic to the province. Illiteracy
55-479: The first-level administrative divisions when the provinces were abolished in 2009. They are subdivided into 21 districts: Fianarantsoa Province Fianarantsoa Province is a former province of Madagascar . It has an area of 103,272 km and population of 3,366,291 (July 2001 estimate). Its capital was Fianarantsoa . The province along with the 5 other was abolished in 2007 in favour of creation of smaller regions to facilitate administration. Apart from
66-496: The formation of 22 smaller areas ( faritra or regions) to facilitate regional development. Fianarantsoa Province was divided into five regions of Madagascar - Atsimo-Atsinanana , Amoron'i Mania , Haute Matsiatra , Ihorombe and Vatovavy-Fitovinany . These five regions became the first-level administrative divisions when the provinces were abolished in 2009. They are sub-divided into 23 districts: Microgale gracilis The gracile shrew tenrec ( Microgale gracilis )
77-400: The northwest, Toliara Province in the west and Indian Ocean in the east. 60,000 people spoke the southern Malagasy Betsimisaraka language. In spite of presence of rice producing areas a very high majority of the population lived in poverty. The province's economy suffered greatly due to environmental issues and poor agricultural practices. Around 75% of the province's population lived below
88-544: The poverty line. The province recorded the highest fertility rate in Madagascar. The average fertility rate per woman was greater than 6. The combined population of the Antananarivo and Fianarantsoa was more than that of the remaining provinces. It was the stronghold of former president Marc Ravalomanana . The major ethnic groups were Betsimisaraka, Betsileo, Antaisaka and Bara. Betsimisaraka and Antaisaka inhabited
99-503: The southern Antananarivo and Toliara provinces. The province was hit by Cyclone Kamisy in June 1984. A large percentage of the province's population lived below the poverty line. A large area of the province was covered by rain forests. It had a rich variety of flora and fauna. Several lemur species were endemic to the province. Assassin spiders were discovered in the province's Baie de Baly National Park . Another important national park
110-441: Was also an important issue. In 2002 around 1200 unopened schools were located in the province. Most of them were constructed by the government. The survival rates were very low. To increase the literacy rate the government had subsidised private schools. The province's president was Fidy Mpanjato Rakotonarivo (since 2005). The provinces were abolished following the results of Malagasy constitutional referendum, 2007 which led to
121-418: Was common and the province offered poor transportation and security related facilities. The provinces were abolished following the results of Malagasy constitutional referendum, 2007 which led to the formation of 23 smaller areas ( faritra or regions) to facilitate regional development. Mahajanga Province was divided into four regions - Betsiboka , Boeny , Melaky and Sofia . These four regions became
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