Intro

Antananarivo is the capital city of Madagascar, the fourth-largest island in the world. The city, founded in 1625 as a walled city, has a current population of four million. It is nestled under the massive (8,671 ft) Ankaratra Mountains, in the Hauts Plateaux near the centre of the island. It is surrounded by the twelve crowned hills of the plateau of Imerina.

Antananarivo is Madagascar's largest city and its administrative and commercial centre. It is an agricultural economy and the main crop cultivated is rice. Its manufactures include food products (especially meat), beverages, cigarettes, and textiles. Railroads that connect Antananarivo with Toamasina, the country's chief port, and Antsirabe form the main trade routes in the country.

The city was founded by the Hova chiefs in the 17th century. In 1797, it was made the fixed residence of the Merina rulers. The conquests of the Merina king Radama I (1810-28) made Antananarivo the capital of almost all Madagascar. The city was captured by the French in 1895 and incorporated into their Madagascar protectorate. In 1894–95 the monarchy ended, sending Queen R?nav?lona III to Algiers on exile.

The culture is basically Indonesian with its share of Arabic and Islamic contributions like the intricate system of divination, or sikidy, and calendrical features. The coastal areas of the west, north, and south show African cultural elements. There are 18 major ethnic groups, including Malayo-Indonesian, African, Arab, French, Indian, Creole and Comoran. The most common languages spoken are Malagasy and French and about 68.9% of the people are literate. Christianity and Islam are the most common religions.