Time of the basis: Population: Area: Monetary unit:

1637 1 million persons of 154 sq. km Ariaries

Antananarivo - a city which is capital of Republic Madagascar. All population of this city can be divided on two ethnic groups: the gelding which migrated to Madagascar from Indonesia, and also cutye, direct inhabitants of the African region. As official languages two are accepted: French and Malagasy. But the population large part nevertheless prefers to talk on Malagasy which falls into to the western group of the Indonesian languages. About 50 % from total number of inhabitants of capital carries itself to Christians. But in this city also cults of ancestors traditional for this region also are actively supported.


The Basis of Antananarivo - a merit of the king of the state Imerina Andrianzaka. There was it in 1637 In second half XVII century the king has made the decision on transferring an administrative centre from Ambuhimangi (former capital) to Antananarivo. This decision has been executed. And Antananarivo till XIX century served as residence of all kings correcting on Madagascar. However in 1896 this city became capital of the French possession Madagascar, and in 1960 - capital of independent Madagascar Republic. In 1975 there was a transformation of independent Madagascar Republic to Democratic Republic Madagascar.
In the city such cultural values, as the Museum of art and an archeology Museum, a building of the former palace of the queen of Madagascar (built in XIX century), the tunnel designed by Frenchmen in 1937, and also an obelisk, erected in honour of Malagasies who were lost during the First World War, Academy of sciences of Madagascar, university and an astronomical observatory are possessed. However, despite it, Antananarivo is an administrative centre of one of the poorest countries all over the world. It backwardness of tourist business in the this region speaks.



the Flag Antananarivo bears a strong resemblance to the arms enough. Distinctions consist only in absence of a tower crown.
the Arms Antananarivo is divided into four equal parts of yellow and dark blue colours. On a yellow background black heads of the antelopes which herds can be met often enough in this country are represented, and on a dark blue background there is a stylised plotting yellow a lily flower. Crowns the arms a tower crown with seven teeth, presented by gold colour.