Mahajanga Province

Mahajanga
province
Map of Madagascar with Mahajanga highlighted
Map of Madagascar with Mahajanga highlighted
Coordinates (Capital): 16°45′S 46°15′E / 16.750°S 46.250°E / -16.750; 46.250
Country Madagascar
CapitalMahajanga
Area
 • Total
150,023 km2 (57,924 sq mi)
Population
 (2004)
 • Total
1,896,000
 • Density13/km2 (33/sq mi)
Time zoneUTC+3

Mahajanga was a former province of Madagascar that had an area of 150,023 km2. It had a population of 1,896,000 (2004). Its capital was Mahajanga, the second largest city in Madagascar.[1]

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.[2]

In 1999, cholera epidemic broke out in the province. It infected 380 people and claimed 26 lives. The epidemic spread towards the southern Antananarivo and Toliara provinces.[3] The province was hit by Cyclone Kamisy in June 1984.[4] A large percentage of the province's population lived below the poverty line.[5]

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.[6] Assassin spiders were discovered in the province's Baie de Baly National Park.[7] Another important national park is Ankarafantsika National Park. The national parks attract many tourists and served as an important economic advantage to the province.[8] A Natural Science Center was created in Mahajanga in 1985.[9]

Rice, cotton, tobacco and manioc were the important agricultural products.[10] The province offered limited opportunities for higher and technical education.[11] The health related facilities are limited. Anemia in children was common[12] and the province offered poor transportation and security related facilities.[13][14]

  1. ^ The Private Sector and Development 1997, p. 37.
  2. ^ Lovatelli & Conand 2004, p. 142.
  3. ^ Kohn 2008, p. 242.
  4. ^ Proceedings and Final Report 1991, p. 7.
  5. ^ International Monetary Fund 2003, p. 20.
  6. ^ Wilson & Reeder 2005, p. 113.
  7. ^ Wheeler & Pennak 2013, p. 43.
  8. ^ Bradt 2011, p. 372.
  9. ^ Primate Conservation Newsletter 1988, p. 44.
  10. ^ Rafalimanana 1998, p. 77.
  11. ^ Education and Training in Madagascar 2002, p. 100.
  12. ^ Health, Nutrition, and Population in Madagascar 2011, p. 15.
  13. ^ International Monetary Fund 2003, p. 29.
  14. ^ International Monetary Fund 2003, p. 32.